New Delhi (Staff Correspondent: Australian captain Ricky Ponting and former India coach Ravi Shastri have backed Mohammad Rizwan’s Pakistan to get to the Champions Trophy knockout stages. Pakistan, the reigning champions, will compete in the tournament.
In the 2017 final, they won against their bitter rivals, India. On February 19, Pakistan will play New Zealand in Karachi to start their Champions Trophy campaign. On February 23, they will play India, their bitter rivals, in Dubai.
They defeated their arch-rivals, India, in the final of 2017. Pakistan will open their campaign for the Champions Trophy by playing New Zealand on February 19 at Karachi. On February 23, they faced their arch-rivals, India, at Dubai.
“I believe Pakistan is one of those sides that, having been exposed for the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have delivered some brilliant performances-especially in South Africa,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
“They have missed Ayub at the top, and he is a very important player. But Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous, especially in home conditions. I would say they should qualify for the semi-finals and from there, it’s anyone’s game.
“Pakistan are still very, very dangerous, and if they qualify, they’ll be doubly more dangerous.”
Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi is a truly threatening speed trio,” Ricky Ponting said.
Fast bowling is good in Pakistan and they can go good enough with the speed and with the skills to challenge any batting order by Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi upfront and going great guns so far in the series, he said.
“Babar has been a little up and down in the last few years but if he and Rizwan can bring their A-games, that is when Pakistan really becomes very dangerous,” Ponting said.
“They still have quality players to knock off any side on any day. If they play well they will be there in the battle.”.
“The pressure of playing at home can be a double-edged sword. It can motivate you, especially with the home crowd cheering you on. That support can sometimes help you cross the line in big moments,” Ponting said.
