Former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting imagine Pakistan will likely be a formidable pressure on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing dwelling benefit, a potent tempo assault, and key match-winners as the explanation why they might excel.
With Pakistan set to co-host a senior ICC occasion for the primary time for the reason that 1996 Cricket World Cup, the event carries added significance for the nation.
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Former India head coach Shastri emphasised the distinctive challenges and expectations that include taking part in in subcontinental circumstances however asserted that Pakistan has the squad to thrive below stress.
“There’s at all times stress while you play at dwelling within the subcontinent – whether or not it’s India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or Pakistan – the expectations are huge,” Shastri stated in a dialog on The ICC Evaluate. “However I believe Pakistan are the type of facet that, with the publicity they’ve had within the final six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have put up some actually sturdy performances, particularly in South Africa.”
Shastri acknowledged the absence of younger opener Saim Ayub as a consequence of damage however stays assured in Pakistan’s squad depth.
“They’ve missed Ayub on the prime, and he’s a vital participant,” he admitted. “However Pakistan have sufficient depth to be harmful, particularly in dwelling circumstances. I’d say they need to qualify for the semi-finals and from there, it’s anybody’s recreation.”
He additional pressured that if Pakistan reaches the knockout levels, they might show to be one of the crucial harmful groups within the competitors.
“Pakistan are nonetheless very, very harmful, and in the event that they qualify, they’ll be doubly extra harmful,” he added.
Ponting, the previous Australian captain, echoed Shastri’s views, notably highlighting Pakistan’s sturdy tempo assault and the position of star batter Babar Azam.
“I agree with Ravi. Saim Ayub is a high-quality participant, and his absence is a large hole to fill,” Ponting advised The ICC Evaluate. “However Pakistan’s quick bowling brigade could be very, excellent. Led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who’ve been terrific in current collection, they’ve the tempo and talent to bother any batting line-up.”
Ponting additionally identified the significance of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan in anchoring Pakistan’s batting line-up.
“Babar has been a bit up and down lately, but when he and Rizwan can convey their A-games, that’s when Pakistan turns into extremely harmful,” he remarked.
The previous World Cup-winning captain additionally famous how taking part in at dwelling could possibly be each a problem and a lift.
“The stress of taking part in at dwelling can work each methods. It may be an actual motivator, particularly with the house crowd behind you. That assist can typically provide help to cross the road in huge moments.”
Ponting concluded by reinforcing Pakistan’s potential to beat any staff in the event that they carry out to their capacity.
“They’ve nonetheless obtained sufficient high-quality gamers to beat any staff on any given day,” he stated. “In the event that they play properly, they’ll be proper in it.”
