LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali predicted the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finalists here on Wednesday.
While addressing the media in Punjab’s capital, he named India, New Zealand, and Australia as semi-finalists alongside hosts and defending champions Pakistan.
The right-arm pacer addressed the criticism surrounding the Men in Green’s squad for the mega event and backed the team for the Champions Trophy, stating that the players should be supported.
“I believe this is the best squad for the Champions Trophy. We should support the players, and there should not be any ifs and buts,” said Hasan.
The 30-year-bowler, pivotal in Pakistan’s Champions 2017 triumph, also recalled the title-winning campaign.
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“The memories of the 2017 Champions Trophy are still fresh; it was a phenomenal achievement for all of us young players. We could never forget the winning moment,” said Hasan.
Hasan Ali also called the event being held in the country is a breath of fresh air for Pakistan.
“It is a welcome development that the Champions Trophy is now being held in Pakistan,” remarked the fast bowler.
“It was essential for the young talent to have the event here. I hope the Pakistan team will do well in the Champions Trophy 2025,” he concluded.
For the unversed, Hasan Ali was named the Player of the Tournament in the 2017 Champions Trophy for his outstanding bowling performance.
For the unversed, the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February, with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.
The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.
In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.
Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.
Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.
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