Pakistan’s Vice-captain Accepts Defeat To India In Champions Trophy On This Condition

The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is just a couple of days away from its beginning, and the biggest mouth-watering clash of the competition will be between Pakistan and India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The PCB wasn’t prepared to accept the game outside their country, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wrote a letter to the ICC to convince them of their unavailability on the trip. Finally, the world cricketing body unlocked the hybrid model to allow the blue brigade to play all their games in Dubai.

Salaman Ali Agha prepared to lose against India in Champions Trophy

Pakistan’s vice-captain, Salman Ali Agha, has dropped a shocking statement before their opening game of the mega event against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. That will followed by their second encounter against India in Dubai on February 23.

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The spin-bowling all-rounder has demanded a victory against the Rohit Sharma-led side but feels that they would have no problem losing their fixture against Pakistan if that means defending the title successfully.

Reports have confirmed the sold-out status of the tickets for the event within minutes of its availability. Along with the importance of the tournament, the specific clash will also carry the political tension between the two nations.

“Winning the Champions Trophy is the ultimate goal. Of course, we want to beat India, but if we lose to them and still win the tournament, that’s a bigger achievement. I’m enjoying the role. It’s a new challenge, but I’m trying to balance it with my game.” Pakistan’s vice-captain and first-choice ODI all-rounder expressed during a recent podcast on PCB that the former captain Salman Butt hosted.

Pakistan’s recent ICC events against India

The Green Brigade has enjoyed a 3-2 head-to-head lead over India as far as the Champions Trophy goes. Pakistan boasts a 3-2 lead in the head-to-head against India in terms of the Champions Trophy. The Mohammad Riwan-led side got the better of the Indian side in 2004 and 2009. But the two-time World Cup winners turned the table with two successive wins in 2013 and the group fixture of 2017.

But at the Kennington Oval in South London, during the final of the 2017 season of the event, the green brigade came out with full power in both batting and bowling departments to trash India to lift the trophy for the very first time.

The recent ICC encounter between these two sides took place during the 2024 T20 World Cup at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Rohit Sharma's army could collect only 119 runs before getting bundled out in 19 overs.

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Apart from Rizwan’s 31 runs in 44 balls, none of the Pakistan batters could build on their start, as they fell short by six runs. The Rohit Sharma-led side went on to earn the title, beating South Africa in the final.

Contrasting recent ODI form for India and Pakistan

India enjoyed their preparation for the Champions Trophy 2025 through the three-match ODI series against England at home. The three fixtures in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad displayed their better batting, bowling, and fielding performances.

Pakistan, on the other hand, went through a tough time as they lost their opening clash of the recent tri-series against the Kiwis in Lahore. A victory against the Proteas in Karachi pushed them into the finals, but they again slipped before the Blackcap’s special performance during the final of the tri-series.