Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has shared his semi-final predictions for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which kicks off on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE.
Sarfaraz Ahmed Predicts
Sarfaraz named Pakistan, India, Australia, and Afghanistan as his top four teams but maintained that the tournament remains wide open.
“If I had to pick four teams for the semi-finals, I would probably choose Pakistan, India, Australia, and Afghanistan, but I would not rule any team out,” he said.
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The former captain praised Afghanistan, highlighting their spin attack as a major strength in subcontinent conditions.
“Afghanistan has a strong team. Their spin options are so good, and you will need that to succeed in these conditions,” he added.
Pressure and Opportunity for Pakistan at Home
With Pakistan hosting its first ICC event since 1996, Sarfaraz Ahmed acknowledged the pressure on the home side but also stressed the advantage of playing in familiar conditions.
“Playing at home and being the defending champions will surely add pressure; there will be high expectations, but the fans will get behind them,” he stated.
Sarfaraz expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to defend their 2017 title, noting the squad’s blend of experienced players and fresh talent. He highlighted the role of players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, who were part of the 2017 Champions Trophy-winning squad.
“Some of the players from 2017 are still there, and we’re talking about some of the best – especially Babar Azam. Babar is a different player from 2017 – more mature and dominant. His batting will be so important for Pakistan, and so will Fakhar Zaman’s,” he added.
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Pakistan vs India – The Biggest Showdown
Sarfaraz described the clash between Pakistan and India as the most anticipated fixture of the tournament. He acknowledged the hype and pressure that always surrounds this iconic rivalry.
“In group matches, everyone will be talking about Pakistan’s match against India, and the game will be huge,” he said.
However, he advised players to treat the high-pressure encounter like any other match.
“Whenever we meet, it is a special occasion, and there is so much hype and pressure. But as players, you need to stay calm, try and block that noise out, and play with the same intensity as you would play against Australia or any other team,” he concluded.
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