KARACHI – Former Pakistan cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has made his predictions for the semi-finalists of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan. Notably, India will play its matches in Dubai, while the remaining teams prepare for intense competition.
Sarfaraz’s Picks: Pakistan, India, Australia & Afghanistan
Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy, has ruled out England, South Africa, and New Zealand from the semi-final race. Instead, he believes Pakistan, India, Australia, and Afghanistan will make it to the final four.
“If I had to pick four semi-finalists right now, I would go with Pakistan, India, Australia, and Afghanistan. However, I wouldn’t underestimate any team,” Sarfaraz stated.
Pakistan Under Pressure as Defending Champions
Acknowledging the pressure on Pakistan, Sarfaraz noted that playing on home soil comes with high expectations from fans. Despite this, he remains confident in Pakistan’s chances to defend their title, emphasizing the team’s strong squad and the presence of key players from 2017, including Babar Azam.
Afghanistan: A Dangerous Contender
Sarfaraz praised Afghanistan, calling them a dangerous team capable of causing major upsets. He also highlighted Pakistan’s potent bowling attack, singling out Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf as two of the best bowlers in the world.
With just weeks to go before the tournament, excitement is building, and as the official ambassador of the Champions Trophy 2025, Sarfaraz Ahmed will be closely watching how the competition unfolds.
