Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has predicted that the Afghanistan cricket team will make it to the semi-finals of the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to be played from February 19 to March 9.
The former pacer, during a media interaction in Dubai, was asked to name his final four teams for the Champions Trophy.
In response, he included arch-rivals Pakistan and India as well as Afghanistan, who are participating in their first Champions Trophy.
“I believe Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan will reach the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy,” said Shoaib Akhtar.
“If Afghanistan’s team demonstrates maturity and their batsmen show patience, they could deliver surprising results.”
Meanwhile, he expressed his faith in the Pakistan cricket team to defeat India in the high-octane clash between the neighbouring countries.
“I’m hopeful that Pakistan will defeat India on February 23. In fact, I believe that both Pakistan and India should also meet in the final of the tournament,” he predicted.
“If Pakistan defeats India and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, the Green Shirts will have already won half the tournament.”
It’s worth noting that 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 tournament play. 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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