As Pakistan find themselves already under the knock-out heat ahead of the highly-anticipated face-off against India in their second Champions Trophy match in Dubai on Sunday, Muhammad Rizwan’s team has found support from an unlikely corner in India.
Eight years after they beat India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Pakistan’s campaign at home suffered a huge dent when they lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in the opener. Meanwhile, India thumped Bangladesh in Dubai to get a head-start in the four-team group, two of whom will qualify for the semi-finals.
However, with an Indian win over Pakistan on Sunday likely to diffuse any further excitement over results in the group, former India seamer Atul Wassan has backed the neighbours to spring a surprise and light up the Champions Trophy.
“I want Pakistan to win. Maza aayega (it will be fun, tournament-wise). If you don’t let Pakistan win, then what will you do? If Pakistan wins, then it becomes a contest. There should be an equal fight,” Wassan, who played nine ODIs and four Tests, told ANI.
While Pakistan defeated India in a T20 during the 2021 World Cup at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, they have not secured an ODI win across six meetings since the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
Rohit Sharma’s team blew away Pakistan in their league-stage match at the 2023 ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad, shortly after beating them twice in the Asia Cup that year.
