Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has a surprise pick for the winners of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gavaskar picked Pakistan as the team that can win the tournament as they will be playing at home.
Pakistan will host the next Champions Trophy, which will be played in a hybrid model. The Men in Green will play all their matches within Pakistan, except those involving India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had denied India’s trip to Pakistan as they did not obtain the required permission from the government. As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided that the tournament would be played in a hybrid model and India’s matches would be played in the United Arab Emirates.
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Sunil Gavaskar chooses Pakistan to win the 2025 Champions Trophy
While talking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar chose Pakistan as they will be playing in their home conditions. He also recalled India’s magnificent performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup in which they were absolutely dominant throughout the entire tournament except the final.
“The favorite tag must be given to the home Pakistan team as it is not easy to beat any team in their home conditions. India lost in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 but before that they put up clinical performances and won ten matches in Therefore, I think Pakistan is the favorite for the upcoming tournament,” Gavaskar considered.
India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and were the favorites to win the title in the summit clash. However, the Men in Blue faltered at the wrong time and lost to Australia in a heartbreaking encounter in Ahmedabad.
ICC Champions Trophy Schedule
The Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi in Pakistan. India will play all its matches in Dubai. If India qualify for the last 16, they will continue to play their matches in Dubai.
The tournament will begin with the home Pakistan team playing against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The final will be played in Dubai or Lahore on March 9, depending on India’s availability.
Pakistan is the defending champions of the Champions Trophy. The Men in Green defeated India in the 2017 final in a one-sided encounter played at The Oval, London. Pakistan won the match by a huge margin of 180 runs.
Pakistan’s main injury problem
Meanwhile, Pakistan has a big problem ahead of Champions Trophy 2025. Talented opener Saim Ayub suffered a serious injury during Pakistan’s Test series against South Africa and was ruled out of the match immediately.
Ayub was immediately sent to London for further treatment. However, reports claim that he will not be fit in time for the tournament, which will be a big blow for Pakistan.
The Men in Green will play a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan in the tri-series and also in the Champions Trophy.