The star-studded panel featuring former Indian and Pakistani batters Yuvraj Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Shahid Afridi have revealed their picks for leading run-scorer and wicket-taker for the India-Pakistan match in the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on 19 February, with the 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.
Yuvraj Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu and former Pakistan captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi were put together by the well-known Indian sports channel in the run-up to the highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India.
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The star cricketers addressed six questions about the marquee tournament’s biggest match between India and Pakistan.
1. Who will be the highest run-scorer?
Yuvraj Singh: Shubman Gill
Navjot Singh Sidhu: Rohit Sharma
Shahid Afridi: Babar Azam
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Babar Azam
2. Who will be the leading wicket-taker?
Yuvraj Singh: Mohammed Shami
Navjot Singh Sidhu: An Indian spinner
Shahid Afridi: Shaheen Shah Afridi
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Haris Rauf
3. Which player will have a match-defining moment?
Yuvraj Singh: Hardik Pandya
Navjot Singh Sidhu: Rishabh Pant
Shahid Afridi: Mohammad Rizwan
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Fakhar Zaman
4. One young player to watch out for?
Yuvraj Singh: Shubman Gill
Navjot Singh Sidhu: Varun Chakravarthy
Shahid Afridi: Saud Shakeel
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Saud Shakeel
5. Who will have a bigger impact: Shami or Shaheen?
Shahid Afridi: Both know how to use the new ball, so let’s see.
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Shaheen Shah Afridi
6. Which team has the upper hand in the India-Pakistan match?
While answering the question, Yuvraj Singh believed that Pakistan holds an advantage in Dubai conditions, likely due to its familiarity with the climate and pitch.
In contrast, Navjot Singh Sidhu argued that India is a much better-balanced team, suggesting that their overall skill set could give them the edge.
Meanwhile, Inzamam-ul-Haq took a more neutral stance, stating that both teams are equal and that the outcome may hinge on their body language and performance on the day of the match.
Additionally, Shahid Afridi emphasized that attitude and body language will play a crucial role in determining the winner of a match.
He reflected on the 2011 World Cup semifinal, noting that the team’s confidence is essential in overcoming opponents.
“We thought we had won. But after our first wicket fell, and seeing India’s body language in the field, I sensed from the dugout that we might struggle to chase the target. It’s all about confidence and how you overpower the other team,” he said.
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