Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shared his predictions for the semi-finalists of the Champions Trophy 2025. According to him, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan have strong chances of making it to the final four. While Pakistan and India are expected choices, he sees Afghanistan as a surprise contender. However, he believes Afghanistan will need to display “maturity” and “patience” to succeed in the tournament.
Akhtar is optimistic about Pakistan’s performance and is hopeful they will defeat India in their crucial match on February 23. He even envisions a high-stakes Pakistan vs. India final in the tournament.
The former pacer also praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, for successfully upgrading stadiums in time for the event. He acknowledged their efforts in preparing the venues to host the prestigious tournament.
Encouraging fans to rally behind the Pakistan team, Akhtar advised against getting involved in selection debates. He stressed the importance of supporting the players as they prepare for the tough competition ahead.
Pakistan’s journey in the Champions Trophy will begin on February 19 with a match against New Zealand in Karachi. They will also face India and Bangladesh in key group-stage matches, making it a challenging and exciting tournament for the team.
