Champions Trophy: Ramiz Raja Confident Pakistan Can Defy Odds Against India

February 23, 2025: Ahead of Pakistan’s must-win clash against bitter rivals India in the ICC Champions Trophy, former cricketer and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja has expressed optimism about Pakistan’s chances, despite being labeled as the underdogs.

In his column for the Dawn newspaper, Raja outlined several factors that could give Pakistan an edge in the much-anticipated match in Dubai. He noted that India’s top players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, are not in the best form, which could play into Pakistan’s hands, especially if they manage to dismiss Shubman Gill early. Raja suggested that if Gill—who guided India to victory over Bangladesh with a century—gets out, it could slow down India’s scoring rate and give Pakistan a chance.

“India already have a victory under their belt, beating Bangladesh in their first game. Pakistan, desperate to get off the mark, will enter the much-awaited game as the underdogs. But that can actually be an advantage because it allows them to relax and play without much pressure,” Raja wrote.

Raja further emphasized the importance of taking regular wickets to prevent partnerships from forming, which he believes has been an issue for Pakistan, particularly in their tournament opener against New Zealand, where they lost by 60 runs.

The former PCB chairman also highlighted the crucial role of fitness, especially in fielding and running between the wickets. He pointed out that teams lacking athleticism in 50-over cricket are often “exposed” and stressed that Pakistan needs to improve its approach in these areas. “Pakistan played 145 dot balls against New Zealand while chasing a huge 320, which proved extremely damaging,” he added. “The key to success will be rotating the strike and having a positive mindset with the bat.”

In terms of bowling, Raja called for Pakistan’s pacers to be “smarter” in their execution, particularly when the pressure is on. “Where are the yorkers, the slower bouncers, or subtle variations? The spinners have been bowling too fast and defensively. That will need to change,” he said.

Raja also weighed in on Babar Azam’s approach, particularly after his sluggish 64 off 90 balls against New Zealand. Raja acknowledged that an anchoring role is essential in ODIs but stressed that the team’s batting approach requires a “major upgrade in both style and execution.” He suggested that Pakistan’s top-order players need to take more risks and play with greater intent, especially in run chases.

Looking ahead to the India match, Raja expressed confidence that Pakistan will rise to the occasion, especially when facing their arch-rivals. He noted that while Pakistan’s start to the tournament wasn’t ideal, the team often excels when playing against India, fueled by passion for the country and fans. “On Sunday, there would be added pressure. The stadium will be packed with more Indian fans than Pakistan fans. It would be a great day to win against the odds!” Raja added.

As the rivalry between India and Pakistan heats up, all eyes are on the Dubai International Stadium, where this gripping encounter will unfold.

Squads:

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

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.