Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the renovated and upgraded Gaddafi stadium on Friday night, Sharif said the players must give their best against India.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan as the official host. However, Team India will play all its matches in Dubai.

Shehbaz Sharif’s comment on the upcoming India vs. Pakistan Champions Trophy clash has sparked a debate. Sharif’s remark raises question about the team’s priorities ahead of the ICC tournament. Pakistan and India will face each other in the group-stage on 23 February.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi says the selection committee 'will review' the national squad picked for the Champions Trophy even as he defended the controversial selections of batter Khushdil Shah and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

Suresh Raina emphasized the crucial roles of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India's ICC Champions Trophy journey. He noted Rohit's improved strike rate since the 2023 World Cup and highlighted the importance of India's spin department for the tournament,

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizes that while winning the Champions Trophy is important, the real challenge lies in defeating arch-rivals India in their upcoming clash during the tournament.

The highly anticipated clash will occur at Dubai International Stadium, as India has opted not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

Pakistan and India have a history of cricket rivalry and generally the Indian team has held the advantage in ICC events since the 90s.

Pakistan will showcase its newly upgraded stadium at Lahore when it takes on New Zealand in the opening game Saturday of a tri-series cricket tournament, which also involves an understrength South Africa.

Pakistan opened a renovated stadium for the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Friday, one of three to be used in its first major international cricket event in almost 30 years. The eight-team Champions Trophy will be staged from February 19 to March 9 in Lahore,