The ICC Champions Trophy is set to begin in just a few days, and as fate would have it, the 2017 ICC CT finalists, India and Pakistan, find themselves in the same group once again! Group A consists of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
Pakistan, the defending champions, may not have had the upper hand over India in recent years, but they are certainly capable of springing surprises. Under a new regime in both Tests and ODIs, they have rejuvenated their squad and are looking forward to defending their title, especially with the tournament being hosted at home. However, it is important to note that India will be playing in Dubai and not in Pakistan.
This article covers the five players India should be most wary of in the upcoming tournament.
India vs Pakistan in ICC Tournaments: A Brief Overview
India has won 11 ICC tournaments compared to Pakistan’s 5. At the senior level, India boasts six ICC trophies (2 Cricket World Cups, 2 T20 World Cups, and 2 Champions Trophies), while Pakistan has won three (1 Cricket World Cup, 1 T20 World Cup, and 1 Champions Trophy). India has overwhelmingly dominated Pakistan in ICC World Cups, winning 14 out of 15 matches, with Pakistan securing only one victory. India also leads 8-0 against Pakistan in the 50-over ODI World Cups—the sole Pakistani victory coming most heartbreakingly for Indian fans.
Now, let’s take a look at the five Pakistani players who could pose a serious threat to India in the Champions Trophy.
1. Mohammad Rizwan (WK, Captain)
Unassuming yet deadly, Mohammad Rizwan has transformed Pakistan’s ODI squad since assuming captaincy from Babar Azam. Under his leadership, Pakistan secured an ODI series win against a depleted Australian side. It made it to the finals of a recent tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand.
Rizwan is an asset with the bat, and his skills behind the stumps could trouble India. He played a crucial role in Pakistan’s 10-wicket victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup and has an impressive T20 record against them, scoring 228 runs in five innings. However, his ODI numbers against India are underwhelming, with only 51 runs in three innings. Given his current form and leadership responsibilities, Rizwan is expected to step up when it matters most. Indian fans still carry the painful scars of 2017, when another Pakistan wicketkeeper-captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, led his side to a historic victory. Overall, Rizwan has amassed 2,523 runs in 86 ODIs, averaging nearly 43.
2. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pace Spearhead)
Shaheen Shah Afridi has not been at his prolific best since 2023. He was dropped from Pakistan’s Test squad and struggled in the recent tri-series. However, great players thrive in high-pressure games, and against India, a player named Afridi is always a threat.
Shaheen has played four ODIs against India, picking up seven wickets. His most memorable performances came in Dubai during the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he dismantled India’s top order, and in the 2023 Asia Cup, where he took four wickets in a rain-truncated match. Shaheen has dismissed Rohit Sharma four times (twice in T20Is and twice in ODIs) and Virat Kohli twice (once in a T20i and once in Asia Cup).
Big players turn up in big games, and Shaheen has a history of tormenting India. He has taken 125 wickets in 62 ODIs for Pakistan.
3. Salman Ali Agha (Vice-Captain)
Every team fears an opposition player who refuses to stay out of the game. Salman Ali Agha, the newly appointed vice-captain of Pakistan’s white-ball squad, has evolved into one of the most reliable cricketers in the team.
He recently scored a century against South Africa in a 350-run chase, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. Salman has also proven himself as a valuable all-rounder, taking 19 wickets in 21 Test matches and 16 wickets in 33 ODIs at an economy rate of 5.5. With the bat, he has scored 915 runs in 33 ODIs, including five fifties and a century.
Although he has played only two matches against India without significant performances, Salman will be eager to prove himself in this high-stakes tournament.
4.Fakhar Zaman (Opener)
The man who broke 1.4 billion Indian hearts in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. Fakhar Zaman’s 114 off 106 balls, aided by a no-ball reprieve, sealed Pakistan’s triumph.
He comes into the tournament as a replacement for the injured Saim Ayub, and this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Pakistan. Opening alongside Babar Azam, Fakhar is expected to go after the Indian bowlers from the start. He has little to no weaknesses against spin, and with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the Champions Trophy, he will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing India’s new-ball attack.
In six ODIs against India, Fakhar has scored 234 runs at an average of 47, including a fifty and a century. Overall, in ODIs, he has accumulated 3,627 runs in 85 matches, averaging nearly 50, with 11 centuries and 17 fifties.
Babar Azam (Opener)
Babar Azam’s record against India is underwhelming—218 runs in eight matches at an average of 30, with just one fifty in the 2019 World Cup. However, he has recently found his groove.
Since stepping down from captaincy to focus on his batting, Babar has averaged nearly 60 in his last six ODIs, scoring 228 runs with two fifties. The necessity for big scores was absent in those games, as Pakistan frequently chased smaller totals. But if he gets his eye in and performs to his true potential, he could single-handedly tilt the game in Pakistan’s favor.
Babar has accumulated 6,019 runs in 126 ODIs, averaging nearly 60. If he finds his rhythm, India will have a major problem on their hands.
Despite India’s dominance over Pakistan in ICC events, it would be naive to take the defending champions lightly. Pakistan is a team known for producing magic out of nowhere, and with the Champions Trophy being held in their own backyard (except for India’s matches in Dubai), they will have a point to prove.
The likes of Rizwan, Shaheen, Salman, Fakhar, and Babar could be the key figures in Pakistan’s campaign, and India must be wary of their potential. As the cricketing world braces for another high-octane clash between these two arch-rivals, one thing is certain—when India and Pakistan meet, fireworks are guaranteed.