Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has acknowledged that defeating India will be the biggest challenge for the Pakistan cricket team in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The much-anticipated tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19 and will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Among the many high-stakes matches lined up, the most awaited clash will undoubtedly be between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, set to take place in Dubai on Sunday, February 23. The contest is expected to be the highlight of the group stage, drawing millions of viewers from around the world and reigniting one of the fiercest rivalries in the history of cricket.
In a statement that has further fueled excitement and added intensity to the cricketing rivalry, PM Sharif urged the Pakistan team to make winning against India their top priority. He emphasized that the entire nation is backing them to perform well and reclaim their status as one of the top teams in the world. “We have a very good side, and they have done well in recent times, but the real task now is to not only win the Champions Trophy but also defeat our arch-rival, India, in the upcoming match in Dubai. The entire nation stands behind them,” Sharif was quoted as saying by PTI.
Sharif also highlighted the historical significance of the tournament for Pakistan, as it marks the return of an ICC event to the country after nearly three decades. Pakistan last co-hosted a major ICC event in 1996 when they, along with India and Sri Lanka, staged the ODI World Cup. Hosting a major ICC event is seen as a significant milestone for Pakistan, which has been eager to bring international cricket back to its home soil after years of security concerns kept many foreign teams away. “It is a big occasion for Pakistan that we are hosting a major ICC event after nearly 29 years. I have full confidence that our team will continue to make the nation proud in the upcoming Champions Trophy,” he added.
Pakistan enters the tournament as the defending champions, having famously beaten India by a massive margin of 180 runs in the final of the last Champions Trophy held in 2017. That victory remains one of the most memorable moments in Pakistan’s cricket history, and the team will undoubtedly draw confidence from that achievement as they prepare for another high-stakes encounter against their arch-rivals. The heroics of Fakhar Zaman, who scored a blistering century in that final, and the dominant bowling performance by Mohammad Amir, who dismantled India’s top order, remain fresh in the minds of Pakistan fans. Historically, Pakistan has enjoyed a slight edge over India in the Champions Trophy, winning three out of the five encounters between the two teams.
However, India has dominated Pakistan in ODIs ever since that 2017 final. Out of the six ODIs played between the two teams since then, India has emerged victorious in five, with one match being washed out. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and with a formidable batting lineup featuring Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul, India will be confident of maintaining their recent dominance. On the other hand, Pakistan will look to their experienced players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf to rise to the occasion and challenge India’s supremacy.
The India-Pakistan match is not just a cricket game; it is a battle of emotions, pride, and history, with millions of fans from both nations eagerly waiting for the encounter. Given the stakes involved, the match on February 23 is expected to be a high-intensity affair, with both teams determined to secure bragging rights and gain momentum early in the tournament. The atmosphere in Dubai is expected to be electric, with thousands of passionate supporters from both countries turning up at the stadium, waving their flags and chanting for their teams.
Pakistan will look to capitalize on their home advantage and past success in the Champions Trophy, while India will aim to continue their dominance in recent years. With both sides boasting world-class players, the stage is set for one of the most electrifying encounters in cricket history. Beyond the sporting aspect, the match carries significant geopolitical undertones, as cricketing relations between the two nations remain tense due to diplomatic and political differences. Despite these challenges, the game remains a unifying factor for fans on both sides of the border, bringing them together in a shared passion for cricket.
As the tournament approaches, both teams are expected to ramp up their preparations, with training camps, strategy meetings, and warm-up matches designed to fine-tune their game plans. Pakistan will focus on strengthening their middle order and improving their fielding, which has often been a weak link in pressure situations. India, on the other hand, will look to solidify their bowling attack and ensure their batsmen are in peak form ahead of the marquee clash.
With so much on the line, the India-Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a spectacle like no other. Fans around the world will be eagerly waiting to see which team will emerge victorious in what is sure to be an unforgettable showdown.
