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Former Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir has made a daring prediction about the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, tipping Pakistan to emerge as favorites against their arch-rivals. The iconic matchup is set to take place on February 23, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and the cricketing world is already abuzz with excitement.
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Amir’s Confidence in Pakistan’s Recent Form
In a recent interview, Amir highlighted Pakistan’s impressive performances in overseas conditions as a key factor that could tilt the match in their favor.
“The way Pakistan has been playing recently—defeating Australia in Australia and beating South Africa—shows their strength, especially in overseas conditions. Based on their recent performances, I think Pakistan will have the upper hand against India,” said Amir.
Pakistan’s consecutive series wins against strong opponents like Australia and South Africa have solidified their status as a formidable side heading into the Champions Trophy.
India’s Challenges and Pressure
Amir acknowledged India’s legacy of success in major tournaments but pointed out their current struggles. He believes that India is under significant pressure after recent setbacks, which could play to Pakistan’s advantage.
“India has always been my favorite in big tournaments. But the Indian team is under pressure and facing severe criticism due to their recent defeats,” Amir remarked.
One of India’s major concerns is the fitness of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering from a back injury. Amir emphasized the importance of Bumrah’s role and suggested that his absence could weaken India’s bowling attack.
“It will be a huge loss for India if Bumrah isn’t there. He has been a top bowler for India, leading the pack from the front. Without him, the Indian bowling attack is reduced to 40-50 percent of its strength,” Amir explained.
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Historical Context and Champions Trophy Rivalry
India and Pakistan share a storied rivalry in international cricket. While India has a perfect record against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup, the Champions Trophy has seen a more balanced rivalry.
- Champions Trophy History: Pakistan leads 2-1 in their last five encounters.
- 2017 Final: Pakistan stunned India with a dominant 180-run victory, a match where Amir’s fiery spell dismantled India’s top order by dismissing Rohit Sharma (0), Virat Kohli (5), and Shikhar Dhawan (21).
Tournament Overview
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will run from February 19 to March 9, featuring eight teams playing across three venues—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, and Dubai.
- Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
- Group B: Afghanistan, South Africa, England, Australia
The curtain-raiser will see hosts Pakistan take on New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.
With teams like England, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Australia, and Bangladesh already announcing their squads, excitement is building for what promises to be a thrilling tournament.
Can Pakistan Continue Their Dominance?
As February approaches, all eyes will be on Dubai for the blockbuster clash between cricket’s fiercest rivals. With Pakistan riding high on confidence and India grappling with challenges, the stage is set for a gripping contest. Whether Amir’s prediction holds true will depend on how both teams handle the pressure and rise to the occasion.
