As the highly anticipated India-Pakistan showdown in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 draws near, former cricketer and Trinamool MP Kirti Azad shared his thoughts on the match. He emphasized that the team that plays better on the day will come out on top.
India is set to face Pakistan in a high-stakes encounter at the Dubai International Stadium. While Pakistan aims to defend its title, India looks to secure its spot in the semifinals. Kirti Azad, speaking to ANI, said, “It’s just like any other match. On the field, you play the ball, not the bowler. People get very excited about this match, but the team that plays well will win. The Indian team is well-balanced, but Pakistan can surprise you at any time. I wish Team India all the best.”
Adding to the excitement, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad also expressed his support for the Indian team. “Our players have a glorious history, and they have worked hard to bring honor to the country. I hope India will win. Our best wishes are with the team, and we believe they will emerge victorious,” Prasad said.
The last time these two arch-rivals faced off in the Champions Trophy was in the 2017 final, where Pakistan defeated India in a dominant performance. Virat Kohli’s side was dismissed for just 158 while chasing a target of 338, a match that remains a painful memory for Indian fans.
This loss, combined with the desire for revenge, will likely fuel the Indian players as they prepare for another clash. Fans will be hoping for a dominant display from India, whether with bat or ball, to avenge the defeat from the 2017 final.
The India-Pakistan rivalry has spanned decades, with matches dating back to 1952, and continues to be one of the most eagerly anticipated encounters in international cricket. The last 50-over clash between the two teams took place at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, where India secured a seven-wicket victory. India also triumphed over Pakistan in a thrilling T20 World Cup encounter in 2024, winning by just six runs.
For Pakistan, the pressure is mounting. After losing their opening match to New Zealand, they need a win against India to stay alive in the tournament. Missing their explosive opener Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan’s batting lineup appears more vulnerable than in previous encounters.
Squads:
- Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
- India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
