Basit Ali Advocates for Sarfaraz Ahmed as Mentor Ahead of India-Pakistan Champions Trophy Clash
India vs Pakistan: The Champions Trophy Showdown
As cricket fans gear up for one of the most anticipated encounters, India and Pakistan are set to face off in the Champions Trophy on February 23 in Dubai. This clash is not just another match; it is a historical rivalry that brings excitement and tension to fans around the globe.
A Look Back at 2017
The last time these two teams met in the Champions Trophy was during the final in June 2017, where Pakistan emerged victorious under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed. They defeated India comprehensively by 180 runs, scoring 338 runs and restricting India to just 158 runs.
Calls for Sarfaraz Ahmed as Mentor
In light of the upcoming match, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has made a compelling suggestion. He believes that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should appoint Sarfaraz Ahmed as a mentor for the tournament, especially for the crucial match against India. Ali stated, “Against India, Pakistan should make their mentor that person who had won the Champions Trophy last time for the country, that is Sarfaraz Ahmed.” His experience and insights from the 2017 triumph could prove invaluable for the current squad.
Group Dynamics and Upcoming Matches
In addition to India and Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand are also in the same group. India will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, before the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan, followed by a match against New Zealand on March 2.
Historical Context
Historically, India and Pakistan have clashed 135 times in ODI cricket, with India winning 57 and Pakistan winning 73 matches, while five games yielded no result. Specifically, in the Champions Trophy, India has faced Pakistan five times, with two wins and three losses.
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