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After a dominant victory against Bangladesh earlier this week in Dubai, Team India aims to secure a spot in the semifinals of the 2025 Champions Trophy by defeating arch-rival Pakistan in their second Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, February 23.
However, ahead of this highly anticipated encounter, a former Indian cricketer made headlines by backing Pakistan to win the crucial match.
While India approaches the high-stakes clash with the momentum of a win, Pakistan finds itself in a do-or-die situation. The defending champions lost their opening match against New Zealand on Wednesday in Karachi.
Another defeat could virtually end their chances of advancing beyond the group stage in the Champions Trophy.
Atul Wassan Supports Pakistan for Competitive Tournament
Surprisingly, former India cricketer Atul Wassan expressed his support for Pakistan to win the upcoming match. He explained that his preference was driven by the desire to see a more competitive tournament.
In an interview with ANI, Wassan said, “I want Pakistan to win. Maza aayega (it will be fun, tournament-wise). If you don’t let Pakistan win, then what will you do? If Pakistan wins, then it becomes a contest. There should be an equal fight.”
Pakistan suffered a significant blow during their opening game against New Zealand when their star batsman, Fakhar Zaman, sustained a muscle injury, ruling him out of the tournament.
Zaman’s absence is notable, as he scored a remarkable century against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, leading Pakistan to their first-ever title. Imam-ul-Haq has been named as his replacement.
India’s Dominance in Recent Encounters
Since losing to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, India has maintained a strong record against their rivals in ODI cricket. Rohit Sharma‘s team has won five of the last six meetings, with one match being washed out. Their most recent face-off was at the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, where India secured a convincing seven-wicket victory.
With both teams having much at stake, the upcoming clash between India and Pakistan promises to be an electrifying encounter. While India aims to secure a semifinal spot, Pakistan hopes to keep their tournament hopes alive by bouncing back from their earlier defeat.
