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Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri believes that defending champions Pakistan will do well in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and could be very dangerous in their home conditions if they make it to the knockout stages.
Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to start from February 19 and hosts Pakistan play the tournament opener against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Despite a loss to New Zealand at the start of their home tri-nation series featuring South Africa, there is plenty of momentum with the Mohammad Rizwan-led side due to series wins in Australia and South Africa leading up to the tournament.
Shastri acknowledged the immense pressure that comes with playing at home, particularly in sub-continent conditions.
Despite this, Shastri believes Pakistan possesses the depth and potential to thrive on familiar turf.
"There is always pressure when you play at home in the sub-continent - whether it is India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or Pakistan - the expectations are massive," Shastri remarked as quoted by ICC.
"But I think Pakistan are the kind of side that, with the exposure they have had in the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have put up some really strong performances, especially in South Africa."
Shastri reckons that Saim Ayub who missed his spot in Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 squad is a crucial player. Ayub who is Pakistan's consistent run scorer missed his spot after getting injured during a Test match against South Africa.
"They have missed Ayub at the top, and he is a crucial player," Shastri noted.
"But Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous, especially in home conditions. I would say they should qualify for the semi-finals and from there, it's anyone's game," he added.
Shastri remains confident that, if they make it through to the knockout stages, Pakistan could pose a serious threat to any team.
"Pakistan are still very, very dangerous, and if they qualify, they will be doubly more dangerous," he concluded.
Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
