Follow UsPakistan’s 2025 Champions Trophy campaign got off to the worst start possible with a 60-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand, on February 19. The nature of the Champions Trophy is such that there isn’t too much time for reaction as Pakistan next take on arch-rivals India on February 23.
One loss from here on will send Pakistan crashing out of the competition. But former Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik believes that the do-or-die situation might bring the best ‘character’ out of the Pakistan national side.
“I’m very hopeful that we still have a chance to beat India in our next match. And then we will continue our match with Bangladesh,” Shoaib Malik said on Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube channel.
“Of course, morale is down. Confidence is down. But I think the character is still there. And we have that potential in our team to win against India. And I’m very hopeful. But now it’s their responsibility. The seniors will have to step up. Because it will be a pressure game. And for you, it’s a do-or-die game."
Malik also insisted that it gives an opportunity for someone to step up and become an instant hero.
“Imagine if someone wins a game, do-or-die against India, will become an instant superstar. So, I think opportunity is there. There is pressure, but opportunity. Take it as an opportunity,” he said.
However, for that to become a reality, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar insisted that Pakistan must play fearless and attacking cricket, something that they haven’t done in a long time at the global stage.
“I think my take is that rather than be on the defensive side play attacking cricket. I wish them best of luck against India,” Akhtar said.
“Overall, it was a very disappointing performance. If we look at the technical side, there are a lot of things. And hope you don’t make the same mistakes that you made against New Zealand and batted with such a low strike rate. If you had played it like a do-or-die game, it would have been different. If you had done good fielding, or if you had put in more effort in the fielding, then it would have been a different story,” he concluded.