Pakistan opens its Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against New Zealand on Wednesday, with focus on opener Babar Azam.
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PAKISTAN OPENS CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025 CAMPAIGN IN KARACHI; BABAR TO BE TESTED
Pakistan opens its campaign against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Furthermore, Pakistan hosts a world class tournament for the first time since the 1996 World Cup.
Moreover, team captain Mohammad Rizwan hopes to reward the fans with an opening-day win.
This, as he lauded organizers for the “brilliant” preparations.
“The preparations, especially in Karachi and Lahore, were brilliant, and we should praise the people who worked hard,” the skipper said.
“Our sole focus is on winning the tournament for the country and our people and we hope that we achieve the desired results,” he added.
BABAR ‘THE RIGHT MAN TO OPEN’ FOR TEAM PAKISTAN, SAYS RIZWAN
Babar Azam is “the right man to open” for the hosts, Rizwan said, as focus shifts to the hosts’ starting off-break.
Moreover, the skipper defended his choice for the 30-year-old, who scored just 88 runs at an average of 17.60 with a top score of 29.
Furthermore, Rizwan is convinced Babar fits “the needs of the team” before he described the former as a “technically strong batter.
“But if you look at the conditions, Babar is the right man to open,” the captain said.
“We want genuine openers, but given the needs of the team, we thought that Babar should open as he is a technically strong batter,” he added.
AUSTRALIAN LEGEND NOT IMPRESSED WITH RANA, PREFERS SINGH AS INDIA ADDITION
Meanwhile, an Australian cricket legend was not impressed with Harsit Rana as India’s last-minute addition.
Furthermore, Ricky Ponting felt Team India should have picked Arshdeep Singh over Rana.
Moreover, the 50-year-old Australian legend believes Singh was more suited for bowling for the whole 50-over match.
India is set to make its debut against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday.
“I would go with the left-armer and I’d go with Arshdeep (to replace Bumrah),” Ponting told the ICC Review.
“(But) I don’t think his (Rana’s) death skills are as good as what Arshdeep Singh’s are,” he added.
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