Individuals with their cellphones take pictures of the ICC Champions trophy, throughout a ceremony on the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, Pakistan, February 6, 2025.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Armed with a fearsome tempo assault and enjoying in house circumstances, hosts Pakistan might be a power to reckon with in the Champions Trophy though they are going to miss opener Saim Ayubreckons former India coach Ravi Shastri.
Defending champions Pakistan head into the Champions Trophy driving excessive on three consecutive ODI sequence victories over South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia.
“I believe Pakistan are the sort of aspect 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 instructed The ICC Evaluation.
Regardless of the absence of the injured Ayub, who has grow to be an important cog within the Pakistan aspect, Shastri stays assured within the staff’s depth.
“They’ve missed Ayub on the high, and he is a vital participant. However Pakistan have sufficient depth to be harmful, particularly in house circumstances. I’d say they need to qualify for the semi-finals and from there, it is anybody’s sport.” Shastri is definite that, ought to Pakistan make it to the knockout levels, they are going to be a formidable menace to any staff.
“Pakistan are nonetheless very, very harmful, and in the event that they qualify, they will be doubly extra harmful.” Echoing Shastri’s ideas, Australian legend Ricky Ponting centered on Pakistan’s deadly tempo assault That features shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.
“I agree with Ravi. Saim Ayub is a high-quality participant, and his absence is an enormous hole to fill,” Ponting mentioned.
“However Pakistan’s quick bowling brigade may be very, superb. Led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who’ve been terrific in latest sequence, they’ve the tempo and ability to bother any batting line-up.” Since getting back from South Africa, the place he notched three consecutive fifties, former skipper Babar Azam’s type has dipped. Ponting mentioned his type can be essential for Pakistan.
“Babar has been a bit up and down lately, but when he and (Mohammad) Rizwan can carry their A-games, that’s when Pakistan turns into extremely harmful,” Ponting mentioned.
“They’ve nonetheless acquired sufficient high-quality gamers to beat any staff on any given day. In the event that they play nicely, they’ll be proper in it.” Ponting additionally acknowledged the added dimension that enjoying in entrance of a house crowd can carry. “The strain of enjoying at house can work each methods. It may be an actual motivator, particularly with the house crowd behind you. That assist can generally allow you to cross the road in massive moments,” Ponting mentioned.
Pakistan will start their Champions Trophy marketing campaign in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi on Februrary 19 earlier than taking over archrivals India on February 23 in Dubai.
Revealed – February 10, 2025 01:20 pm IST
