Amir believes Pakistan will have the upper hand over their arch-rivals, thanks to their recent strong performances
13 January, 2025
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PHOTO:AFP
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has made a bold prediction about the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Amir believes Pakistan will have the upper hand over their arch-rivals, thanks to their recent strong performances.
The blockbuster match is scheduled for February 23, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and is expected to be one of the most thrilling encounters of the tournament.
In a recent interview, Amir highlighted Pakistan’s recent victories against top teams like Australia and South Africa as a testament to their strength, particularly in overseas conditions.
The way Pakistan has been performing, including beating Australia in their own backyard and defeating South Africa, shows their capability. Based on these performances, I believe Pakistan will have an advantage against India,” Amir stated.
While acknowledging India’s impressive track record in major tournaments, Amir noted the pressure the Indian team faces due to their recent setbacks.
“India has always been my favorite in big tournaments, but they are currently under pressure and facing criticism after some recent defeats,” he said.
One of the biggest concerns for India heading into the tournament is the fitness of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering from a back injury. Amir emphasized that Bumrah’s absence could severely weaken India’s bowling attack.
“If Bumrah is unavailable, it will be a massive blow for India. He is their leading bowler and a key figure in their attack. Without him, their bowling strength drops significantly,” Amir added.
Historically, India has dominated Pakistan in the ODI World Cup with a 100% win record. However, Pakistan has had notable victories against India in the Champions Trophy, winning two of their five encounters, including the memorable 2017 final. In that match, Pakistan secured a commanding 180-run victory, with Amir playing a pivotal role by dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature eight teams and 15 matches, running from February 19 to March 9 across Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai.
Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B comprises Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia. The opening match will see hosts Pakistan take on New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.
As of now, England, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh have already announced their squads for the tournament.
