 "Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif wants Pakistan to not just win the Champions Trophy but also beat India. Image: Reuters/AP")
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stirred the pot with his latest comments about the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 , which will be hosted by his country. Sharif, in a speech at the inauguration of the renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, said that the “real task” for Mohammad Rizwan’s Pakistan team is not just to win the prestigious tournament, but also to defeat India in Dubai.
Shehbaz Sharif’s misplaced priority?
While it’s undeniable that the India vs. Pakistan rivalry is one of the most intense in world cricket, Shehbaz Sharif’s comments have drawn attention for what many perceive as a misplaced focus on beating their arch-rivals over the broader goal of winning the tournament itself.
“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 said on Friday.
The match between India and Pakistan is always a highly anticipated affair. This rivalry is often further fueled by the tense political relations between the two nations. The recent friction between the two cricket boards, coupled with India’s refusal to send their team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, has only added more spice to the upcoming encounter.
Given Pakistan’s status as the defending champions, the country’s focus should arguably be on performing well throughout the competition, rather than zeroing in on a single match against India. The previous edition of the Champions Trophy was won by Pakistan after they defeated India in the final.
Pakistan’s record against India in ICC events has been mixed. Their last victory came in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, when Pakistan stunned India with a convincing 10-wicket win in Dubai, breaking a long-standing winless streak in World Cup matches against their rivals. However, despite a few standout wins, Pakistan has not had much success against India in major ICC tournaments over the years.
India and Pakistan will face each other in the group-stage of the upcoming Champions Trophy on 23 February. The match will be played at a neutral venue in Dubai.