New Delhi, Feb 22: Ahead of the blockbuster clash against India on Sunday, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for emphasising too much on hosting the Champions Trophy rather than building a strong team for the tournament.

Pakistan suffered a bumpy start in their first ICC home tournament since 1996 as they lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in the opener in Karachi. The veteran bowler also lashed out at PCB for creating controversy on India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the eight-team spectacle.

“Pakistan focused more on hosting the Champions Trophy than thinking about building a good team. They messed up big time. They don’t focus on their cricket and create controversy on India not coming to Pakistan despite knowing that a hybrid model will be followed in the tournament. Recently, Pakistan failed to beat West Indies in the Test series. In the Tri-Nation Series, they lost too on home soil,” Kaneria told IANS.

“There is no combination in the team, they have kept required players out of the squad. They did so with Fakhar Zaman due to his statement (against PCB) and now brought him back into the team. He was a key member of this team and has proven that in the past,” he added.

Pakistan attack will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf while Abrar Ahmed is the sole specialist spinner in their squad with Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha contributing with part-time spin.

The 44-year-old further highlighted Pakistan’s weakness in batting and bowling departments and said there is no quality spinner in their attack.

“Pakistan have many issues, they have brought in Imam-ul-Haq as Fakhar’s replacement. There are two or three players who are good but apart from them, I don’t see anyone. They don’t have a good bowling attack. Shaheen’s pace has dropped, Haris Rauf is unpredictable as he can concede 100 to 80 runs in a match and he hasn’t picked his line and length. Abrar Ahmed is an average spinner, he is no genius… I think Noman Ali should play in ODIs as Pakistan have no quality spinner in the format,” Kaneria said.

New Delhi, Feb 21: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two cricketers who hold the power to bring the most populated country to a standstill, will be heading into the Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan on Sunday perhaps for the final time. In an exclusive conversation with Media, Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif stated that he believes the 2025 Champions Trophy will be the final time the heavily-reputed duo will face their arch-rivals.

Virat and Rohit have already confirmed their retirement from the shortest format, and the next 50-over ICC tournament will be the 2027 ODI World Cup to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

“I think it is their final ICC tournament. If you look at India’s batting lineup then you can see so many talented young players, like Jaiswal and Sai Sudarshan, who are just waiting for their turn in the pecking order. I think it’s their last time facing Pakistan as well unless they meet in the finals,” said Latif to IANS.

‘The Hitman’ has played 19 ODIs against Sunday’s opponents scoring 873 runs in all. The 37-year-old averages 51.35 against Pakistan in ODIs and has a strike rate of 92.38. Rohit has scored two centuries and eight half-centuries in 19 ODIs against Pakistan.

In 16 matches, Kohli has scored 678 runs against Pakistan at an average of 52.15 and a strike rate of 100.29. He has scored three centuries and two half-centuries and has a highest of 183.

Sunday’s clash is set to be a blockbuster with Pakistan facing a do-or-die situation having suffered a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening Group A match while India registered a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh. A loss on Sunday would make Pakistan’s qualification to the final round virtually impossible.

Latif further elaborated on who he believes will be the two trump cards for their respective teams in the highly-anticipated matchup.

“For India (the trump card), it seems like Shubman Gill is the answer, as things are currently going it seems he will have an impact on the Champions Trophy but I have personally always been afraid of Rohit Sharma. He is a selfless batter, he sacrifices himself and does not care about milestones.

“For Pakistan, it is going to be Shaheen Afridi, if they can get early wickets only then will they have a chance in the match. I believe if Shaheen can swing the ball in Dubai then he can hurt them,” he added.

New Delhi, Feb 21: Former captain Shahid Afridi believes India have more match-winners as compared to Pakistan ahead of the highly-anticipated Champions Trophy Group A clash that will take place at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan have beaten India in three of the five games in the previous Champions Trophy events. Their wins came in 2004 in the United Kingdom, 2009 in South Africa and in 2017 final at The Oval in London.

“If we talk about match-winners, I’d say that India has more match-winners compared to Pakistan. A match-winner is someone who knows how to win the game single-handedly. Right now, we don’t have such players in Pakistan. India’s strength lies in its middle and lower order, which has been winning them matches.”

“For a long time, we have been giving opportunities to players, but no one has stepped up consistently. Some have performed in a few games, but we don’t have players who have sustained their performance for a year, two years, or across 50-60 matches.”

“That’s where we are a little weaker compared to India, which is very strong in this area. But the key to winning against India is collective performance—whether it’s the batsmen, bowlers, or spinners—everyone’s contribution is crucial,” said Afridi on JioHotstar.

In response to his comments, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh said, “I actually think Pakistan has an advantage because they have a base in Dubai. They have played a lot of cricket there and understand the conditions well. On slower wickets, Indian and Pakistani players are among the best, who have always played spin well.”

“You talk about match-winners—yes, I agree with Shahid Afridi that we have more match-winners. But I believe that even if Pakistan has fewer match-winners, one player can still take the game away.

“The India-Pakistan clash is not about match-winners alone; it’s about playing in the moment, adapting to the situation, and not letting expectations overwhelm you. The team that does this better will win the game for their country,” he added.

Defending champions Pakistan have started their Champions Trophy campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand in the tournament opener while India registered a comprehensive 6-wicket win against Bangladesh on Thursday.

Afridi also felt captain Mohammad Rizwan has to lead by example, especially after defending champions Pakistan suffered a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the tournament opener. “As a captain, Rizwan has to set an example for others—that is very important. He must perform in every game, and his attitude, body language, and leadership matter a lot.”

“Being a captain comes with equal amounts of praise and criticism. His performance will be crucial, as he is the glue that holds the team together. He treats everyone equally, he is a fighter, and his energy on the field is infectious. I have seen him step up in big matches, and I am confident he will lead the team well.”

Former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq felt if Pakistan were to gain an edge in the match, then they should look to dismiss veteran India duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. “There is no doubt that all Indian players are very good, but Virat and Rohit are in a league of their own. That’s because they have been performing consistently for nearly 20 years, and their impact on the team is massive.”

“If they get out early, it will make a significant difference in India’s dressing room, and Pakistan’s morale will rise. That doesn’t mean the rest of the Indian players won’t perform—they are very talented—but they are still developing.”

“Similarly, when Babar Azam gets out for Pakistan, the opposition’s bowlers get a boost, and Pakistan’s dressing room feels the pressure. For Pakistan to win, the lower and middle order must step up. If India loses both Rohit and Virat early, Pakistan can gain an advantage,” he concluded.