Pakistan and India will play on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a short yet significant tournament wherein each team is playing just three league matches before the knockout stage. In a critical tourney like this, Pakistan will go head-to-head with arch-rivals India in Dubai for a do-or-die clash. In an attempt to save them from a disastrous campaign, the hosts have appointed Mudassar Nazar as a mentor.
The Lahore-born Pakistan all-rounder played 122 one-day matches for Pakistan. Mudassar collected 2,653 runs and struck 16 fifties in his tenure. He never crossed the three-figure mark as his highest score stands at 95. The 68-year-old has immense coaching experience with the teams – Pakistan, Kenya, and the UAE. Due to his stints with the ICC’s Global Cricket Academy in Dubai, he is well-versed with the pitch and weather conditions in Dubai to help Mohammad Rizwan & Co.
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In the tournament opener against New Zealand, Pakistan were bundled out for 260 within 48 overs. They lost the match by a huge margin of 60 runs, leading up to a good NRR (1.200) for the Kiwis. The next day, India won against Bangladesh by six wickets with more than three overs to spare. They are seated in the second spot of the Group A table with an NRR of 0.408. The next Group A fixture is Pakistan vs India in Dubai. Since New Zealand and India have already won one each game, it’d be easier for them to win at least one of their remaining two contests. On the other hand, the hosts are at the precipice of an embarrassing campaign. They will have to win against India and Bangladesh, both, with higher margins to be in the top two spots of the table.
The primary host for the ICC event is Pakistan. However, due to the national conflict between the two teams, India will be playing all their matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The first semi-final will also be played at the same venue while the second semi-final will take place in Lahore. The venue for the final on March 9, however, is not confirmed yet.
The change of venue adds to Pakistan’s troubles as they will lose their home advantage.
On the contrary, Pakistan have lost three of their last ODIs against New Zealand at home grounds – Lahore and Karachi. The three games include the Champions Trophy 2025 opener as well as the Tri-Nation series involving South Africa.
Pakistan will meet India on February 23 in Dubai at 2:30 PM IST.
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