The stage is set at the Dubai International Stadium as India prepares to take on arch-rivals Pakistan tomorrow in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. The Men in Blue started their campaign with a win over Bangladesh, while Pakistan suffered a defeat against New Zealand.
For Mohammad Rizwan and his team, this is a must-win clash to keep their tournament hopes alive. Ahead of this highly anticipated encounter, former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik had a candid chat with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar. Malik shared his thoughts on Pakistan’s chances, the struggles of Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, and much more.
Q: What is going wrong with Pakistan?
Thank you, and it is good to see you. I think it is a great achievement when it comes to building a stadium or renovating one. A huge credit to our chairman and everyone associated. But on the other hand, it would have been the cherry on top if Pakistan had defeated New Zealand. As a nation and as spectators, it was a disappointment.
But it is still not too late. They still have another opportunity. Obviously, they have to face a strong opponent with great balance and combinations. But still, I have high hopes that they can do well. Let’s see how they perform against Team India.
Q: What is wrong with Babar Azam? Is he under immense pressure? It was a shocking batting approach from him against the Kiwis.
Babar has scored runs at a consistent rate wherever he has played. Hence, every time he plays, expectations are high, especially when you are experienced and one of the senior players in the squad. Fans expect him to win games in tough situations. When a batter is out of form, they try different things, and the same is happening with Babar.
So, for me, he needs to go back to the basics. He should watch his old innings to observe his movements, footwork, or maybe the way he used to build his innings. I was disappointed with the way he played against New Zealand. The New Zealand bowlers did not bowl bad deliveries that he could pounce on and score quickly.
One thing I can say is that when the balls were not going into the gaps, he could have tried aerial shots. Right after the powerplay, two off-spinners—Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell—were operating. Still, he did not show significant footwork or the intensity to hit them for boundaries. It was needed, as Pakistan was chasing 320 runs.
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SHOAIB MALIK EXCLUSIVE
“India is definitely the favourite in this game”, says #ShoaibMalik ahead of the upcoming #INDvsPAK clash in the #ChampionsTrophy. pic.twitter.com/f3lS5XqFKN
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) February 22, 2025
Babar has a responsibility to fulfil. I expected him to do a lot better, but when you are out of form, these things happen. I still believe he will score runs. Against India, it is a do-or-die clash, and that could be the perfect stage for him to make a comeback.
How big of a setback is Fakhar Zaman getting ruled out?
If you look at the overall combination of the Pakistan team, especially in white-ball formats, impactful players are essential. Fakhar Zaman is one of them, and his absence is a big blow for Pakistan, especially considering that their next game is a do-or-die match against a team now considered favourites to win this tournament.
Imam-ul-Haq has come in to replace him, but if you ask me, I believe Imam should have already been in the squad earlier. Another important point is that the venue where the match will take place does not allow batters to play freely. Dubai is not an easy ground for scoring runs through boundaries. So, I think these conditions will suit Imam and Babar, given their playing styles, and partnerships will be crucial.
Pakistan can only win this game if they win the toss and opt to bat first. In the second innings, the ball was turning, and the pitch was on the slower side, as we saw during the India vs. Bangladesh game. So, Pakistan has a chance if they win the toss and bat first. A total above 270 will challenge India.
Is this the right bowling lineup that Pakistan is going with? Shaheen looked out of form—should Pakistan have considered another primary spinner in the squad?
If you think that Salman Ali Agha or Khushdil Shah will fulfil the fifth bowler’s responsibility, that is too much to ask of them. Shadab Khan could have been a great addition, as he can also bat lower down the order. With him, Pakistan would have had more bowling options, and they could have managed crucial 15 overs between them.
Shaheen has been struggling and has failed to take wickets with the new ball. Just like Babar, the same goes for Shaheen. However, both are good enough cricketers to regain their form. This is where the role of the captain and management becomes crucial—to keep these players in a positive mindset and help them regain their lost confidence.
As a former Pakistan captain, do you think India will be the overwhelming favourites on Sunday, or does Pakistan still have a chance to defeat them?
India is the favourite for Sunday’s clash, but when you look at this particular venue, a century from any batter can help set a good total. If they somehow manage to score 270, it can be defended. Pakistan needs someone to step up—either with the bat or by taking a four or five-wicket haul. To win a 50-over match, individual brilliance from two or three players is crucial.
As an expert, what are your thoughts on Virat Kohli’s struggles and the red-hot form of Shubman Gill?
For Rohit Sharma, the role is completely different. He goes out there, takes on the bowlers, and ensures that his team gets a good start so the following batters can build from that.
As for Virat, yes, he has struggled in his last five innings against leg-spinners. When a batter struggles against a particular type of bowler, it is time to fix that. I think he needs to use his feet more, which could help him overcome this issue. When leg-spinners are bowling slow and dragging him forward, he is getting troubled. So, better footwork could be a way to counter that.
Shubman Gill is an exceptional talent. The way he played in the last game against Bangladesh was uncharacteristic of him, but that was what the team needed at that moment to win. He understood the conditions and the importance of staying at the crease until the match was finished.
Shubman is a great asset for Indian cricket, and he has the potential to be like Rohit or Virat, following their legacy in the years to come.
Also Read: Virat Kohli vs Leg Spin: Decoding Kohli’s Battle Against Leg-Spin in White-Ball Cricket
The post “He has the potential to be like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli”: Shoaib Malik on Shubman Gill appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports.
