Ricky Ponting
LAHORE: Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has backed Pakistan as a strong contender for the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Speaking on The ICC Review alongside Ravi Shastri, Ponting acknowledged that while India and Australia are widely seen as the top contenders for the prestigious tournament, Pakistan should not be underestimated.
Ponting pointed out that the Pakistan team has been in excellent form, particularly in one-day international cricket, and they have proven themselves with recent victories.
“Their one-day cricket has been absolutely outstanding,” he said. Despite Pakistan’s unpredictable nature in big tournaments, Ponting noted that they seem to have found a more stable and consistent rhythm.
Pakistan’s recent record supports Ponting’s optimism. The team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, enters the tournament having clinched three consecutive series wins — against world champions Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
These victories, including a commanding 3-0 win over South Africa, have showcased Pakistan’s potential in the 50-over format. This builds on their successful run in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and sets the stage for a strong performance in the Champions Trophy.
In the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, Pakistan stunned the cricket world by defeating India in the final, securing their first-ever title. That victory, fueled by a stellar performance from Fakhar Zaman and a strong bowling attack, remains a highlight in Pakistan’s cricket history.
The team will aim to replicate this success on home soil in 2025, with the added motivation of being the defending champions. The first clash between India and Pakistan in this year’s tournament is set for February 23 in Dubai, adding further excitement to the competition.
Despite Ponting’s praise for Pakistan, both he and Shastri predict that India and Australia will be the two teams to reach the final. Shastri also named England and South Africa as potential semi-finalists.
With star-studded lineups and recent success in major ICC tournaments, both India and Australia are heavy favorites to lift the trophy once again. India and Australia are the most successful teams in the tournament’s history, each having won the Champions Trophy twice, and both sides will be looking to add another title to their collection.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches hosted across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—along with Dubai. With 15 exciting games scheduled, fans can expect high-intensity cricket as the top eight teams compete for glory.
