ICC Champions Trophy 2025: With Babar Azam struggling, will Mohammad Rizwan lead Pakistan to defend their title? | Cricket Information – The Instances of India

NEW DELHI: Almost three many years after the 1996 ICC World Cup graced Pakistani soil, the nation stands on the precipice of one other historic second. With the fingers of the clock glued to the well-known tower of Faisalabad ticking quick, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is all set to convey the roar of packed stadiums, the joys of last-over finishes, and the hope of a nation eager for the much-awaited cricketing pageant.
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Pakistan final hosted an ICC occasion 29 years again, when the ICC World Cup was co-hosted alongside India and Sri Lanka. The event noticed Pakistan bowing out within the quarter-finals after a tricky loss to their neighbours in blue. Nevertheless, the grand finale in Lahore belonged to Sri Lanka, who claimed their maiden World Cup title with an awe-inspiring seven-wicket victory over the mighty Australians.

Twenty-nine years later, cricket fever is ready to comb throughout Pakistan as soon as once more, regardless of the nation’s struggles with monetary and political turmoil.
With renovated stadiums and upgraded infrastructure — the stage is ultimately prepared for a wedding of bat and ball, with the whole world protecting an in depth eye.
“It is a enormous factor for the whole nation of Pakistan. After such a very long time, such an enormous occasion is occurring, and nearly all the large groups that play cricket are coming to Pakistan. That is going to be a large pageant in Pakistan,” former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir informed TimesofIndia.com in an unique interview. “Each single recreation goes to be a full home.”

The house benefit: Pakistan hosts ICC event after 29 years

Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, enter the competitors because the defending champions, having claimed the title in emphatic style within the 2017 version in England.
However the query stays: Can Rizwan encourage his workforce to a profitable title defence, or will the burden of expectations show too heavy?
Pakistan within the final 5 ODIs: W-W-L-W-L
Pakistan have by no means been in need of match-winners, and this version isn’t any totally different.
The workforce boasts an explosive batting lineup able to dismantling the perfect bowling assaults on their day. Fakhar Zaman, the hero of the 2017 remaining, is again within the ODI setup, and his capability to show video games round in a matter of overs makes him a key asset.
In the meantime, if Babar Azam, whose final ODI century got here in a 151-run knock towards Nepal in August 2023, rediscovers his golden contact, Pakistan’s probabilities of posting mammoth totals will skyrocket.
The center order, that includes skipper Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Ali Agha, has been in chic type in latest occasions.
Rizwan’s capability to anchor the innings whereas shifting gears when wanted makes him a vital cog in Pakistan’s batting wheel.
But, Pakistan’s actual power lies in its tempo assault.
A well-oiled machine spearheaded by the deadly Shaheen Shah Afridi, the bowling unit additionally options Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf (topic to availability), and the ever-improving Mohammad Hasnain.
On residence pitches, the place reverse swing and uncooked tempo will play a big position, this tempo assault will probably be one thing price monitoring.

Why Pakistan ought to be involved forward of the marketing campaign

Regardless of the presence of star gamers, Pakistan have notable chinks in its armour. The opening mixture stays a priority.
Most runs for Pakistan in ODIs – final one 12 months

With Saim Ayub sidelined as a result of an ankle fracture and Abdullah Shafique dropped for poor type, the duty falls on Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam.
Babar Azam’s final 10 ODI innings

Nevertheless, this duo has struggled to fireside persistently in latest occasions, leaving Pakistan susceptible within the essential powerplay overs.
Fakhar Zaman’s final 10 ODI innings

One other questionable choice choice has been Pakistan’s spin division.
With just one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed — who has had harm issues — the workforce seems to be strolling a tightrope.
Most wickets for Pakistan in ODIs – final one 12 months

The absence of a seasoned campaigner like Shadab Khan and even Sufiyan Muqeem raises doubts about Pakistan’s capability to comprise opposition batsmen within the center overs, particularly on slower tracks.
The decrease order additionally lacks confirmed firepower.
Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, and Khushdil Shah haven’t delivered substantial performances on the worldwide stage, making the workforce closely reliant on the highest order.
In crunch conditions, the lack of the decrease order so as to add fast runs might harm Pakistan’s possibilities.
Pakistan below Mohammad Rizwan – Matches: 12 | Gained: 8 | Misplaced: 4
Management in Pakistan cricket has typically been a high-stakes drama, and Rizwan now finds himself on the centre of it.
Since changing into the white-ball captain in October final 12 months, he has proven the proper temperament to information Pakistan via the pressures of a house event.
Nevertheless, main Pakistan in such a high-profile occasion isn’t any small process, and he might want to guarantee his workforce stays mentally robust amid the load of expectations.
Citing Pakistan’s triumphant away excursions, Amir stays optimistic. “I’ve excessive hopes as a result of Pakistan has just lately gained each away collection. And I feel this can be a enormous achievement for Pakistan, to win in Australia towards Australia after which in South Africa towards South Africa. For the reason that Champions Trophy is in Pakistan, it will likely be a bonus for Pakistan, so I feel Pakistan can do very well.”
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad: 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.
With a praiseworthy tempo assault, an attention-grabbing batting lineup, coupled with the benefit of residence circumstances, Pakistan have all of the substances to make a deep run within the event.

Nevertheless, cricket is a recreation of superb margins, and far will rely on the skipper’s capability to rally his troops when it issues most.
Will Mohammad Rizwan be the captain to steer Pakistan to the consecutive title, or will historical past repeat itself with a heartbreak on residence soil? Now, the eyes flip in direction of Faisalabad’s clock tower; it should inform the true story when the time comes.