Former Australian Captain
The Champions Trophy 2025 is heating up as Pakistan faces a do-or-die situation in their upcoming match against India. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has shared his expert insights on Pakistan’s chances and the challenges ahead. With a crushing defeat against New Zealand in their opening game, Pakistan must bring their A-game to stay in contention.
Pakistan’s Rocky Start to the Tournament
Pakistan started their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a disappointing note, losing to New Zealand by 60 runs in Karachi. Chasing a daunting target of 320, Pakistan struggled to keep up despite flashes of brilliance from their top-order batsmen. The loss has placed them in a precarious position, making their match against India a must-win affair.
India’s Strong Performance So Far
On the other hand, India has had an impressive start to the tournament, securing a solid victory over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Their batting lineup showcased dominance, while their bowlers restricted Bangladesh efficiently. This has given India a confidence boost as they head into the high-stakes encounter against Pakistan.
Ricky Ponting’s Take on Pakistan’s Chances
Ponting acknowledged the unpredictable nature of Pakistan’s cricket team. While he initially believed Pakistan would secure a win against New Zealand, their loss has made the road ahead tougher.
“It’s going to be hard for Pakistan now,” Ponting said.
Ponting pointed out that Fakhar Zaman’s injury played a crucial role in Pakistan’s struggles. Without their key opener, Pakistan’s batting lacked the aggression needed to chase down such a large total. Despite the setback, Ponting did not entirely rule out Pakistan’s chances against India, recognizing their ability to stage comebacks.
Key Points from Ponting’s Analysis
| Factor | Ricky Ponting’s Observation |
|---|---|
| Pakistan’s Start | Struggled in opening game against New Zealand |
| Fakhar Zaman’s Injury | A major setback for Pakistan’s batting lineup |
| India’s Performance | Strong win against Bangladesh |
| Pakistan’s Strength | Unpredictability and ability to bounce back |
| Challenge Against India | Must be at their absolute best |
Pakistan’s Unpredictability: A Double-Edged Sword
Pakistan has a history of delivering unexpected performances in crucial matches. From their 2017 Champions Trophy triumph to their shocking group-stage exits in other tournaments, their form remains one of the most unpredictable aspects of international cricket.
“With Pakistan, we talk about it every tournament. They’re unpredictable. You never quite know what they’re going to do,” Ponting remarked.
This inconsistency has often worked both for and against them. If they can tap into their best form against India, they might still turn things around.
The Road to Victory: What Pakistan Needs to Do
Pakistan must focus on several key areas to stand a chance against India:
1. Top-Order Stability
With Fakhar Zaman out, Pakistan’s opening pair needs to deliver a strong foundation. Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam must take responsibility and ensure a solid start to avoid putting pressure on the middle order.
2. Middle-Order Consistency
The middle order must capitalize on partnerships and rotate the strike efficiently. The likes of Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed need to play smart innings rather than aggressive yet risky shots.
3. Bowling Attack Needs Precision
Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah must execute their bowling plans meticulously. Restricting India’s powerful batting lineup will be crucial.
4. Fielding Must Improve
Pakistan’s fielding has been a concern in recent tournaments. Dropped catches and misfields have cost them dearly in the past. They need a sharp and agile fielding unit to put pressure on India.
India’s Strengths and Why They Are Favorites
India, on the other hand, is coming into the game with immense momentum. Their strengths include:
- Powerful batting lineup: With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill in great form, India’s batting looks rock-solid.
- Spin and pace combination: Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah add variety and strength to the bowling department.
- Big-match experience: India has a history of performing well under pressure in major ICC events.
Can Pakistan Pull Off an Upset?
Despite the challenges, Pakistan is known for surprising the cricketing world. If they execute their game plan perfectly and capitalize on key moments, they have a chance to stun India. As Ponting suggested, their unpredictability might just work in their favor.
“On their day, they’re as capable as anybody,” said Ponting.
