New Delhi: India will face arch-rivals Pakistan on 23 February at Dubai International Stadium. Both sides are placed in Group A along with Bangladesh and New Zealand. Pakistan will open their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on February 19 while India will take on Bangladesh in their first match of the tournament.
Ahead of the tournament, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the real task for the team is not just to win the Champions Trophy but also to beat arch-rivals India. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the upgraded Gaddafi stadium Sharif said that the Pakistani players must give their best against Rohit and Co.
“We have a very good side and they have done well in recent times but the real task now is to not only win the Champions Trophy but also defeat our arch-rival, India in the upcoming match in Dubai. The entire nation stands behind them” said Sharif. Pakistan last defeated India in an ICC event in the 2021 T20 World Cup but after that, Rizwan and Co. lost against India in the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cup and in the 2023 ODI World match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
‘It is a big occasion for Pakistan that we are hosting a big ICC event after nearly 29 years’: Pakistan Prime Minister
Pakistan beat India in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy and will enter the tournament as defending champions. Sharif said that it’s a big occasion for the country as they were hosting an ICC event nearly after 29 years. He was also thrilled with the new look stadium and the improved facilities and said that he has full confidence in the Pakistan team that they will continue to make the nation proud in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by many famous personalities, including politicians, government officials, PCB representatives and PSL franchise owners. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also revealed their new jersey for the upcoming ICC event at the ceremony which was held to celebrate the completion of Gaddafi Stadium’s renovation in just 117 days.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wants his team to beat India in the upcoming Champions Trophy and then go on to win the ICC tournament, which is scheduled to begin on February 19. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
