Delhi: After 28 years, Pakistan is once again going to host an ICC tournament on its soil. The last time it organized the ODI World Cup was in 1996. This time it is ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, 7 out of 8 teams participating in this tournament will play in Pakistan, because India has refused to play in Pakistan. For this reason the tournament is being organized on hybrid model. Team India will play all its matches in Dubai.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan wicketkeeper batsman Rashid Latif has advised his team to focus on playing aggressive cricket. He said that Pakistan should focus on its preparations instead of India not coming there.
56-year-old Rashid Latif told Pakistani media, “This is an exciting time for the cricket-mad country. The world's top teams will be part of this mega event. I praise the Government of Pakistan and the PCB, who in collaboration with the ICC made hosting this tournament possible. India will play its matches in UAE, but Pakistan should only focus on playing aggressive cricket.”
Latif expressed confidence in the role of spinners in Pakistan's home conditions. He said, “We have excellent players like mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem and Faisal Akram. Apart from this, Salman Ali Aga can also prove to be important for the team.
However, he also expressed concern about Pakistan's opening pair. Let us tell you that Saim Ayyub is suffering from ankle injury and Abdullah Shafiq's form is also not good. Latif said, “In the last few years, Pakistan has used many opening combinations including Abdullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman and Shan Masood. All the players are talented, but choosing the right combination can be challenging. Perhaps the selectors will choose Fakhar and Shan Masood for the opening. We will have to wait and see.”
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