Table of Contents
Pakistan vice-captain Salman Agha has shared his perspective on the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025, particularly the high-stakes clash between Pakistan and India. The prestigious tournament will commence on February 19 in Pakistan, with India’s matches set to take place in the Dubai. Among the most anticipated fixtures is the India-Pakistan encounter, scheduled for February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Beating India or lifting the Champions Trophy? Pakistan’s Salman Agha settles the debate
While the match carries immense significance for both teams and their supporters, Salman believed that the bigger objective for Pakistan is to lift the Champions Trophy rather than solely focusing on defeating India. Speaking on the PCB podcast, Salman highlighted the emotional weight of the India-Pakistan rivalry but stressed the importance of maintaining a broader perspective.
“The atmosphere of an India-Pakistan match is unlike any other. People call it the biggest game in the world, and the intensity is always at its peak. But at the end of the day, it is just one match in a tournament. Winning the Champions Trophy as a team should be our ultimate goal, rather than celebrating a single victory,” Salman stated.
Despite prioritizing the overall tournament goal, Salman did not downplay the significance of the India-Pakistan contest and acknowledged the pressure that comes with it. While speaking about the highly anticipated clash, he maintained that every player in the squad is eager to give their best against their arch-rivals. However, he reiterated that a single victory, no matter how significant, would not mean much if the team fails to win the tournament.
“Of course, we all want to win against India, and we will do everything we can to make it happen. I personally aim to give my best performance in that match. If we defeat India but fail to win the Champions Trophy, then there is no real benefit. But if, Allah forbid, we lose to India but go on to lift the trophy, that would be the biggest achievement,” Salman concluded.
Also READ: India or Pakistan? Shikhar Dhawan predicts the potential winner of Champions Trophy 2025 clash in Dubai
Pakistan’s Roadmap in the Champions Trophy
With the focus firmly set on going the distance in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will begin their campaign against New Zealand on February 19 before taking on India in Dubai on February 23. Their final group-stage match will be against Bangladesh on February 27, which could be crucial in determining their pathway to the knockout stage.
Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan will be keen on making a strong statement, especially after their inconsistent performances in recent ICC events. Given their rich history in the Champions Trophy, having won the title in 2017 with a resounding victory over India, Pakistan will be eager to replicate that success and etch their name in the history books once again.
