Bangladesh captain sends warning to India ahead of Champions Trophy clash

DUBAI: Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto sent a warning to India on Wednesday ahead of their opening match against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener on 20 February.

While addressing a presser, Shanto expressed his confidence in his team’s ability to beat any opponent, emphasizing the strength of their pace attack.

“I think we have always struggled with our seam attack, but in the last couple of years, we have developed some quality fast bowlers,” said Shanto.

“Now we have Nahid Rana and Taskin (Ahmed), and the way they are bowling helps a lot. As a captain, I love to see them bowling fast,” he added.

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Bangladesh’s young fast bowler Nahid Rana has impressed with his performance since breaking into the national side.

The Bangladesh skipper praised the seamer for bringing energy to the team.

“I think over the last few months, he has bowled really well and with great pace when we see him bowling like this on the ground, it lifts our whole bowling unit and motivates us to challenge our opponents,” the left-handed batter added.

Najmul Hossain Shanto further revealed that his team stands a strong chance against any opponent if they play to their strengths and execute their plans effectively.

“We believe we can beat any team in this tournament. Every team here is capable of winning,” he remarked.

“But I am not someone who focuses too much on the opponent. If we execute our plans properly, we can beat any team,” he concluded ahead of the Bangladesh match against India tomorrow.

Bangladesh Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (VC), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.

READ: Champions Trophy: Young, Latham hit tons as New Zealand defeat Pakistan

Champions Trophy: Young, Latham hit tons as New Zealand defeat Pakistan

KARACHI: Will Young and Tom Latham’s centuries and clinical bowling performance propelled New Zealand to a comprehensive victory against Pakistan by 60 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener at National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

Chasing 321, Pakistan lost wickets regularly, courtesy of the Black Cap’s good bowling performance.

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel opened the innings for Pakistan after their regular opener, Fakhar Zaman, was forced to sit out for at least 25 minutes due to leaving the field during Pakistan’s bowling.

Saud Shakeel (6) perished cheaply in a daunting chase earlier, leaving Pakistan 8-1 in the fourth over. He was caught by Matt Henry at third man off Will O’Rourke.

The skipper Muhammad Rizwan (3) also returned to the pavilion inside the first powerplay without scoring big, being caught by a screamer from Glenn Phillips off Will O’Rourke.

After the first 10 overs, Pakistan languished and could only score 22-2, their lowest total in home ODI powerplay history.

Fakhar Zaman, who was forced to bat at No. 04, joined Babar Azam in the middle, and the duo knitted a 47-run partnership but took 65 deliveries to do so, soaring the asking rate.

Pakistan was reeling 69-3 in the 21st over when Fakhar Zaman (24) departed.

Salman Ali Agha joined Babar Azam and played a blistering knock of 42 at a strike rate of 150. Agha Salman provided some hope to Pakistani fans, smashing six fours and a six before being dismissed by Nathan Smith, leaving the host 127-4 in the 31st over.

Tayyab Tahir also failed to impress, returning to the pavilion after scoring just a single. In the meantime, Babar Azam completed his fifty and eventually scored 90-ball 64 before being caught with 153 on the scoreboard.

But Khushdil Shah gave the hosts a faint hope in their chase with his blistering knock of 69 from 49 balls, which included one six and ten fours.

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He formed well-stiched partnerships with the tailenders, including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Khushdil added 47 and 29 runs for the eighth and ninth wicket with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem, respectively.

He departed in the 44th over courtesy of Will O’Rourke’s good bowling.

Pakistan’s last pair, Haris Rauf and Naseem put on a valiant partnership of 31 runs off 21 balls, but it was not enough as the Kiwis secured a comfortable victory in the end.

For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and O’Rourke were stand-out bowlers who picked up three wickets each, while Matt Henry was equally good with his two wickets.

Tom Latham was awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding century in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Earlier, Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to power New Zealand to 320-5 in their  50 overs.

Mohammad Rizwan invited New Zealand to bat first, and his bowlers proved the decision right by inflicting early damage.

Abrar Ahmed castled Devon Conway (10), while star batter Kane Williamson (1) fell prey to Naseem Shah, leaving the Black Caps struggling at 40-2.

Will Young and Daryl Mitchell (10) stitched a 33-run stand for the third wicket to stabilize the innings before Haris Rauf struck.

Following Mitchell’s wicket, Young forged a partnership of 118 runs with Tom Latham to take the team’s total to 191 inside 38 overs.

Young completed his century during the partnership. However, he fell prey to Naseem soon afterward. He departed after scoring 107 runs from 113 balls with the help of 13 boundaries, including one six.

Glenn Phillips joined Latham, and together, they wreaked havoc, smashing 125 runs from 74 balls in the fifth wicket partnership.

Phillips struck 61 runs off 39 balls with four sixes and three boundaries before he fell to Haris Rauf in the final over.

Meanwhile, Latham remained unbeaten on 118 runs from 104 balls to take his team’s total to 320-5 in their allocated 50 overs. His innings featured ten boundaries and three sixes.

Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took two wickets for Pakistan, while Abrar Ahmed bagged one.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and New Zealand have competed in a total of 118 ODI matches. Pakistan leads the head-to-head record with 61 victories, while New Zealand has won 53 matches. Additionally, three matches have ended without a result, and one match ended in a tie.

However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boast an undefeated record against the Green Shirts.

Overall ODIs: Matches 118, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 53, NR 3, Tie 1

Champions Trophy: Matches 3, Pakistan 0, New Zealand 3

Champions Trophy: PCB provides update on Fakhar Zaman’s injury

KARACHI: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury scare during the ongoing match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand here on Wednesday.

The left-hander fell awkwardly while fielding in the first over of New Zealand’s innings and had to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Fakhar Zaman did return to the field after some time, attempting to continue, but he soon walked off again, raising concerns about his fitness.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later released a statement, saying, “Fakhar Zaman is being assessed and examined for a muscular sprain and further updates will be provided in due course.”

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Pakistan will now be anxiously waiting for further medical reports, hoping that the injury isn’t serious, given Fakhar’s importance to the team’s batting lineup.

For the unversed, after today’s game against New Zealand, the Pakistan cricket team will then travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.

Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Shubman Gill once again dethrones Babar Azam as No.1 ODI batter

Champions Trophy: Fakhar Zaman eyes Shahid Afridi’s record against New Zealand

KARACHI: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is on the brink of surpassing the record of legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand here on Wednesday.

Fakhar, known for his aggressive stroke play, has had a stellar record against the BlackCaps, amassing 1,053 runs at an impressive average and strike rate.

With just 26 more runs, he will overtake Afridi’s tally of 1,078 runs and climb to third place on the list of Pakistan’s highest ODI run-getters against New Zealand.

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At the top of the list stands Inzamam-ul-Haq with 1,283 runs, followed closely by Saeed Anwar (1,260 runs). Fakhar, with significantly fewer innings than the others on this elite list, has a golden opportunity to etch his name further in history.

Most ODI Runs for Pakistan against New Zealand

  • Inzamam-ul-Haq – 1,283 in 42 innings.
  • Saeed Anwar – 1,260 runs in 32 innings.
  • Shahid Afridi – 1,078 runs in 35 innings.
  • Saleem Malik – 1,054 runs in 41 innings.
  • Fakhar Zaman – 1,053 runs in 19 innings.

With significantly fewer innings than those ahead of him, Fakhar Zaman has a strong chance to move up the list of the batters with the most runs against New Zealand.

For the unversed, after today’s game against New Zealand, Pakistan cricket team will then travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.

Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Shubman Gill once again dethrones Babar Azam as No.1 ODI batter

New Zealand outplay Pakistan by 60 runs in Champions Trophy opener

KARACHI: Will Young and Tom Latham’s centuries and clinical bowling performance propelled New Zealand to a comprehensive victory against Pakistan by 60 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener at National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

PAK 260 (46 Overs)

47.2: Henry to Naseem Shah, OUT! New Zealand win by 60 runs. Agony for the hosts as they lose their first match

Naseem Shah 13 (15b 0x4 1×6 27m) SR: 86.66

PAK 260/9 (45 Overs)

46.6: Santner to Haris Rauf, OUT

Haris Rauf 19 (10b 0x4 3×6 11m) SR: 190

Santner continues

PAK 245/8 (44 Overs)

O’Rourke to continue

PAK 236/8 (43 Overs)

Santner returns

PAK 229/8 (42 Overs)

43.4: O’Rourke to Khushdil, OUT

Khushdil Shah 69 (49b 10×4 1×6) SR: 140.81

O’Rourke continues

PAK 225/7 (41 Overs)

Henry continues

PAK 213/7 (40 Overs)

O’Rourke back for bowling

PAK 200/7 (39 Overs)

Matt Henry into the attack

PAK 196/6 (38 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 187/6 (37 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 183/6 (36 Overs)

Phillips returns

PAK 175/6 (35 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 166/6 (34 Overs)

Santner to continue

PAK 156/6 (33 Overs)

Bracewell returns

PAK 153/6 (32 Overs)

33.6: Santner to Babar Azam, OUT, big wicket

Babar Azam 64 (90b 6×4 1×6) SR: 71.11

Santner continues

PAK 146/5 (31 Overs)

Smith continues

PAK 130/5 (30 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 128/4 (29 Overs)

30.4: Smith to Salman, OUT. Salman goes!

Salman Agha 42 (28b 6×4 1×6) SR: 150

Nathan Smith into the attack

PAK 124/3 (28 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 119/3 (27 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 104/3 (26 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 94/3 (25 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 84/3 (24 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 83/3 (23 Overs)

Phillips from the other end

PAK 80/3 (22 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 72/3 (21 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 70/3 (20 Overs)

Santner comes into bowl

PAK 69/3 (19 Overs)

20.5: Michael Bracewell to Zaman, OUT. Silence in the stands as Fakhar is bowled!

Fakhar Zaman  24 (41b 4×4 0x6) SR: 58.53

Bracewell continues

PAK 66/2 (18 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 65/2 (17 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 60/2 (16 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 55/2 (15 Overs)

Bracewell to continue

PAK 55/2 (14 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 49/2 (13 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 41/2 (12 Overs)

Glenn Phillips comes to bowl.

PAK 24/2 (11 Overs)

Michael Bracewell into the attack

PAK 22/2 (10 Overs)

9.6: O’Rourke to Rizwan, OUT. Flying Glenn Phillips takes screamer.

Mohammad Rizwan 3 (14b 0x4 0x6) SR: 21.42

O’Rourke continues

PAK 21/1 (9 Overs)

Henry to continue

PAK 19/1 (8 Overs)

O’Rourke continues

PAK 14/1 (7 Overs)

Henry continues. A maiden over…

PAK 14/1 (6 Overs)

O’Rourke to continue

PAK 12/1 (5 Overs)

Henry continues

PAK 8/1 (4 Overs)

3.4: O’Rourke to Saud Shakeel, OUT.. gone! New Zealand with an early breakthrough. He is caught on the third man.

Saud Shakeel 6 (19b 0x4 0x6) SR: 31.57

O’Rourke continues

PAK 5/0 (3 Overs)

Henry to continue from the other end

PAK 3/0 (2 Overs)

Will O’Rourke will take the new ball from the other end.

PAK 1/0 (1 Over)

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel to open for Pakistan. Matt Henry will bowl the first over for New Zealand.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (2nd INNINGS)

Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to power New Zealand to 320-5 in the their 50 overs.

NZ 320/5 (50 Overs)

49.4: Haris Rauf to Phillips, OUT!!

Glenn Phillips 61 (39b 3×4 4×6 62m) SR: 156.41

Haris Rauf to bowl the last over.

NZ 306/4 (49 Overs)

48.1: Fifty for Phillips. His quick-fire fifty includes four sixes and one four.

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 294/4 (48 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 283/4 (47 Overs)

46.2: Shaheen Afridi to Latham, pushes on to the on side for a run, and here it is his eighth ODI hundred.

Shaheen Afridi is back in the attack

NZ 265/4 (46 Overs)

Naseem Shah into his final over

NZ 256/4 (45 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 240/4 (44 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 224/4 (43 Overs)

Khushdil continues

NZ 215/4 (42 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed comes into the bowl

NZ 212/4 (41 Overs)

Khushdil comes back into the attack

NZ 207/4 (40 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 198/4 (39 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 193/4 (38 Overs)

37.2: Length ball, Young heaves to the leg side… and it’s brilliantly taken by sub fielder Faheem Ashraf.

Will Young 107 (113b 12×4 1×6) SR: 94.69

Naseem Shah returns to the attack

NZ 187/3 (37 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi returns

NZ 183/3 (36 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 175/3 (35 Overs)

34.2: Will Young sweeps to his century! A measured innings, that did not start smoothly, particularly with wickets at the other end, but a tidy ODI hundred, his first of four overseas.

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 171/3 (34 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 164/3 (33 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 159/3 (32 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 151/3 (31 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed returns

NZ 148/3 (30 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 139/3 (29 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

NZ 129/3 (28 Overs)

Khushdil Shah returns

NZ 124/3 (27 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl

NZ 119/3 (26 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

NZ 113/3 (25 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 110/3 (24 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

NZ 105/3 (23 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 98/3 (22 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha replaces Khushdil

NZ 94/3 (21 Overs)

Shaheen returns

NZ 93/3 (20 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 86/3 (19 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 80/3 (18 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 77/3 (17 Overs)

16.2: Haris Rauf angles the ball in towards the batter, and Mitchell’s attempt to move leg side to create room for the pull doesn’t work and hits high up on the bat and pops apologetically towards mid-on.

Daryl Mitchell 10 (24b 0x4 0x6) SR: 41.66

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 73/2 (16 Overs)

Khushdil Shah comes on to bowl his left-arm spin

NZ 71/2 (15 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 68/2 (14 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 64/2 (13 Overs)

Haris Rauf to bowl his first over

NZ 55/2 (12 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 50/2 (11 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 48/2 (10 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 45/2 (9 Overs)

8.1: Back of a length, hitting the surface hard enough to find some precious movement away from the batter, who is defending with a full face. The bowl finds a edge and Rizwan takes a low catch.

Kane Williamson 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

Naseem continues

NZ 40/1 (8 Overs)

7.3: Perfect length, pushing Conway back, and then enough grip off the surface to move from leg stump to knock back off!

Devon Conway 10 (17b 2×4 0x6) SR: 58.82

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 39/0 (7 Overs)

Naseem returns from the other end

NZ 33/0 (6 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed introduced into the attack

NZ 30/0 (5 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 24/0 (4 Overs)

Naseem to continue

NZ 3/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 3/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

NZ 3/0 (1 Over)

Devon Conway and Will Young to open the innings for New Zealand. Shaheen Afridi will take the new ball for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (1st INNINGS)

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and New Zealand have competed in a total of 118 ODI matches. Pakistan leads the head-to-head record with 61 victories, while New Zealand has won 53 matches. Additionally, three matches have ended without a result, and one match ended in a tie.

However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boast an undefeated record against the Green Shirts.

Overall ODIs: Matches 118, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 53, NR 3, Tie 1

Champions Trophy: Matches 3, Pakistan 0, New Zealand 3

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This tournament marks the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year break, with the last tournament being held in 2017, where Pakistan defeated their arch-rivals India in the final.

The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches over 19 days, taking place in Pakistan and Dubai.

The teams are divided into two groups for the initial stage. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.

READ: Shubman Gill once again dethrones Babar Azam as No.1 ODI batter

Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan win toss, bowl first against New Zealand

KARACHI: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and New Zealand have competed in a total of 118 ODI matches. Pakistan leads the head-to-head record with 61 victories, while New Zealand has won 53 matches. Additionally, three matches have ended without a result, and one match ended in a tie.

However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boast an undefeated record against the Green Shirts.

Overall ODIs: Matches 118, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 53, NR 3, Tie 1

Champions Trophy: Matches 3, Pakistan 0, New Zealand 3

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This tournament marks the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year break, with the last tournament being held in 2017, where Pakistan defeated their arch-rivals India in the final.

The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches over 19 days, taking place in Pakistan and Dubai.

The teams are divided into two groups for the initial stage. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.

READ: ‘Our belief is same’ Babar Azam issues bold statement ahead of Champions Trophy

Ashwin names THIS player to surpass Babar, Rizwan as Pakistan’s best batter

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped high praise on Pakistan vice-captain Salman Ali Agha ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted Salman Ali Agha and Tayyab Tahir as key players to watch in the tournament.

“I am very excited about two players: Tayyab Tahir and Agha Salman. Actually, Agha Salman should be mentioned first—what a player he is,” Ashwin remarked

“He has quality, he can handle pressure situations, and he has a presence at the crease that I haven’t seen in a Pakistani player for a long time.”

Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t hold back in his praise for Salman, even making a bold comparison statement that he can surpass even Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the future.

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“And I mean it—he has that presence. I just hope he doesn’t follow the path of some other players,” he added.

“If he continues playing like this, he could become a poster boy for Pakistan cricket. I genuinely believe Agha Salman has the ability to surpass even Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.”

The 38-year-old also spoke highly of Tayyab Tahir, calling him an “exceptional middle-order player” and emphasizing that Pakistan has found a solid option in that role after a long time.

“Tayyab Tahir is an exceptional middle-order player. Pakistan has found one after a long time,” he stated.

For the unversed, the defending champions and hosts Pakistan will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a game against New Zealand on February 19.

They will then travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: ‘Our belief is same’ Babar Azam issues bold statement ahead of Champions Trophy

PCB chairman reaches National Bank Stadium for Champions Trophy opener

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has arrived at the National Bank Stadium here on Wednesday ahead of the much-anticipated opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Mohsin Naqvi, entrusted with overseeing the final arrangements, expressed his satisfaction as preparations reached their pinnacle ahead of the highly anticipated opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

With great enthusiasm, he is set to extend a warm welcome to President Asif Ali Zardari, who will grace the occasion as the chief guest for the grand opening ceremony at the National Bank Stadium.

This event marks a significant moment, as Pakistan proudly hosts an ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years.

The presence of the chairman highlights the PCB’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a seamless and impeccably organized tournament that promises to deliver thrilling cricket to fans and participants alike.

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For the unversed, the defending champions and hosts Pakistan will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a game against New Zealand on February 19.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan and New Zealand have competed in a total of 118 ODI matches. Pakistan leads the head-to-head record with 61 victories, while New Zealand has won 53 matches. Additionally, three matches have ended without a result, and one match ended in a tie.

However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boats an undefeated record against Pakistan.

They will then travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Skipper Rizwan urges Pakistan to enjoy Champions Trophy 2025

Skipper Rizwan urges Pakistan to enjoy Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said on Tuesday the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 would be a “historic occasion” for the country, a day before the hosts kick the tournament off against New Zealand.

The Champions Trophy 2025 is the first major cricket event hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades and is regarded as second only to the World Cup in the one-day game.

“A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years so I think the whole nation should enjoy this historic occasion,” Rizwan told a news conference on the eve of the tournament, which runs until March 9.

Pakistan had been due to host the tournament in 2008 but was thrown into cricketing isolation by a security crisis as violence spilled over from the long-running war in neighbouring Afghanistan.

However, major teams have toured Pakistan in the past five years as security improved, opening the way for the cricket-mad nation to stage the tournament.

“Pakistan has suffered enough and for a long time, but we have also won during this phase like the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup,” Rizwan said.

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Still, the build-up has not been without problems after neighbours and arch-rivals India refused to play in Pakistan over long-standing political tensions. India will instead play their matches in Dubai.

Pakistan’s opponents in the tournament opener in Karachi beat them twice this month during a tri-series event that included South Africa.

“There shouldn’t be any doubts on our performance,” Mohammad Rizwan said. “We may not have played on our abilities but we all want to win the event for the country and people.”

For the unversed, after today’s game against New Zealand, Pakistan cricket team will then travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.

Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Shahid Afridi believes THIS player deserved a place in Champions Trophy 2025 squad

Shahid Afridi believes THIS player deserved a place in Champions Trophy 2025 squad

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed his belief that off-spinner Sajid Khan deserved a place in the national squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Speaking to a private TV channel, the former Pakistan captain lamented the absence of spinner Sajid Khan who played a leading role in Pakistan’s victories in the recent Test home series.

“His confidence is very high and he is also a very good fielder. He [Sajid Khan] is a strong character who can also hit sixes in batting,” Shahid Afridi said.

Afridi was of the view that Sajid deserved to be in the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, considering the fact that Abrar Ahmed is the only specialist spinner in the squad.

Meanwhile, he agreed that the team India was entering the Champions Trophy 2025 with the right combination.

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“It is a perfect team, from openers to fast bowlers. I know there is no Bumrah, but they have bowlers such as Shami who can bowl exceptionally with the new ball,” Shahid Afridi said when asked about team India.

The former Pakistan captain was of the view that the abundance of quality spinners in the Indian side would help them defend low totals on pitches in Dubai.

“They have so many spinners who will cover Bumrah’s area. They are coming with a plan knowing they will play all of their games in Dubai,” Shahid Afridi said.

For the unversed, the defending champions and hosts Pakistan will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a game against New Zealand on February 19.

They will then travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan confirms Babar Azam’s batting position for Champions Trophy