Pakistan pace sensation Naseem Shah has voiced his disappointment over the defending champions’ shaky start in the Champions Trophy 2025 and stressed the urgency of correcting mistakes before their crucial showdown against arch-rivals India in Dubai on Sunday.
Pakistan’s return to hosting a global tournament after nearly three decades was marred by a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the tournament opener in Karachi. With only three group-stage matches per team, this loss has put Pakistan’s semi-final hopes in jeopardy, making their next game against India even more high-stakes than it already was.
Naseem Shah Calls for Immediate Improvements
Speaking to reporters, Naseem Shah acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and emphasized the need for swift corrections ahead of the blockbuster India vs Pakistan clash.
“It’s always disappointing when you don’t get off to a strong start,” Naseem told Geo News. “There are several areas we need to address before the next crucial match. Our focus now is on correcting our mistakes and preparing for the next game.”.
The young pacer pointed out that Pakistan’s biggest setback against New Zealand came in the final 10 overs of the first innings, where they conceded 113 runs in the last 60 balls. Glenn Phillips, with his quick-fire 61, single-handedly turned the tide in New Zealand’s favor.
“The final six to eight overs didn’t unfold as we had planned. We must analyze and refine our approach in those areas for the upcoming matches,” Naseem acknowledged.
Bowling Struggles on Karachi’s Flat Surface
Pakistan’s bowlers found it difficult to contain New Zealand’s power-hitters, with Karachi’s dry pitch offering little assistance. Naseem Shah acknowledged the challenges of bowling on batting-friendly wickets, where restricting the run flow becomes extremely difficult.
“On pitches like these, bowlers don’t get much help. Big scores are very much likely here,” he added.
This underlines the importance of Pakistan’s bowling attack stepping up in the remaining matches, especially against a star-studded Indian batting lineup featuring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill.
India vs Pakistan: A Do-or-Die Clash
With Pakistan’s semi-final hopes hanging in the balance, their upcoming match against India in Dubai has become a must-win encounter. A loss could push them to the brink of elimination, while a victory would reignite their campaign and keep their Champions Trophy title defense alive.
As the Men in Green prepare for this high-voltage contest, all eyes will be on how Pakistan’s bowlers, including Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf, bounce back to challenge India’s formidable batting lineup.
Can Pakistan recover in time, or will India tighten their grip on the tournament? The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in Dubai.