Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous, says Ravi Shastri

Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed, center, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell during the tri-series ODI cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. (AP)

Former India coach Ravi Shastri and Australian captain Ricky Ponting has backed Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan to qualify for the knockouts of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan will enter the tournament as defending champions. They have defeated their arch-rivals India in the final in 2017. Pakistan will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on Februrary 19 before taking on arch rivals India on February 23 in Dubai

“I think Pakistan are the kind of side that, with the exposure they’ve had in the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have put up some really strong performances, especially in South Africa,” Shastri said in The ICC Review.

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