Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has a surprise for the winners of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gavaskar has picked Pakistan as a team that can win the tournament as they will be playing on their home turf.
Pakistan will host the upcoming Champions Trophy which will be played in a hybrid model. The men in green will play all their games inside Pakistan except those involving India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected India’s trip to Pakistan as they did not get the necessary permission from the government. As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided that the tournament would be played in a hybrid model with India’s matches being played in the UAE.
Sunil Gavaskar picks Pakistan to win Champions Trophy 2025
Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar chose Pakistan because they will play in their home conditions. He also recalled India’s magnificent performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup where they were completely dominant throughout the tournament except in the final.
“The tag of favorites should be given to home team Pakistan as it is not easy to beat any team in their home conditions. India lost in the final of ODI World Cup 2023 but before that they put up clinical performances and won ten matches at So I consider Pakistan as favourites. for the upcoming tournament,” Gavaskar said.
India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and were favorites to win the title in the summit clash. However, the Men in Blue fumbled at the wrong time and lost to Australia in a heartbreaking encounter in Ahmedabad.
ICC Champions Trophy Schedule
The 2025 Champions Trophy will be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi in Pakistan. India will play all their matches in Dubai. If India qualify for the knockout stage, they will continue to play their matches in Dubai.
The tournament will begin with home team Pakistan and 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 are 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 in London. Pakistan won the match by a huge margin of 180 runs.
Pakistan’s biggest 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 immediately ruled out of the match.
Ayub was immediately sent to London for further treatment. However, reports claimed 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-batter Mohammad Rizwan will also lead Pakistan in the tri-series and the Champions Trophy.
