Lagatar24 Desk
Dubai: With Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign hanging by a thread, the team management has made a last-ditch effort by roping in former cricketer Mudassar Nazar as a special coach just before their high-stakes showdown against India.
Pakistan, after suffering a disappointing defeat to New Zealand, now faces a must-win game against arch-rivals India in Dubai to keep their semi-final hopes alive. A loss would mean elimination within just four days of the tournament’s start.
Mudassar Nazar to the Rescue?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has turned to Mudassar Nazar, banking on his extensive experience and deep knowledge of UAE conditions to help revive the struggling squad. A former Pakistan international, Nazar has held coaching stints with Pakistan, Kenya, and the UAE, along with his role at the ICC’s Global Cricket Academy in Dubai.
According to a Times of India report, the PCB is relying on Nazar’s tactical expertise to counter India’s strong formand adapt better to the conditions in Dubai.
Pakistan’s Struggles Continue
Despite bringing in Nazar, reports from NewsX suggest that Pakistan’s practice sessions have been far from smooth. Players struggled with timing their shots, often sending them high instead of long, and fielding lapses continued with dropped catches and poor coordination.
Adding to their woes, while Pakistan is officially the host of the Champions Trophy 2025, all India’s group-stage matches are being played in Dubai due to security concerns raised by the BCCI.
India’s Strong Start and Dominance Over Pakistan
In stark contrast, India kicked off their Champions Trophy campaign with a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Shubman Gill shone with a century (101)*, while Mohammed Shami claimed a fifer, supported by Harshit Rana’s three-wicket haul.
India’s dominant bowling and batting display make them favorites going into the Pakistan clash. A win against Babar Azam’s team would secure India’s spot in the semi-final, maintaining their recent dominance over their rivals.
In their last ODI meeting during the 2023 World Cup, India humiliated Pakistan with a seven-wicket win in Ahmedabad, continuing their unbeaten record in ODI World Cup history against them.
With stakes at their highest, all eyes are on whether Pakistan can turn their fate around with Nazar’s guidance, or if India will extend their winning streak over their neighbors.
