Champions Trophy: Pakistan Holds Extended Practice Session Before Crucial Knockout Clash

The Pakistan cricket team had a long practice session on Friday, where senior batter and former captain Babar Azam spent time batting against different bowlers. They are getting ready for their big Champions Trophy match against India in Dubai on Sunday.

Pakistan is in a must-win situation after suffering a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the first match in Karachi.

The team trained for three hours at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. All the batters had a long 20-minute batting session, except for skipper Mohammad Rizwan.

Babar Azam, Pakistan's key batsman, spent time at the crease facing each bowler for at least two overs.

Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who will have a big role to play in the upcoming match against India, bowled more than seven overs each during the practice session.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s interim coach Aaqib Javed, and captain Mohammad Rizwan had a long discussion with the team. Aaqib did most of the talking, sharing his thoughts and plans with the players.

The defending champions had a tough start to their tournament, suffering a heavy loss to New Zealand earlier this week.

Pakistan chose to bowl first but couldn’t stop New Zealand from piling up a big total of 320/5 in 50 overs. Tom Latham and Will Young led the charge with brilliant centuries.

In reply, Pakistan was bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.

They have to win this match against their biggest rivals, India. The last time these two teams met in an ODI was during the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, where India won easily.

Pakistan are hosting an ICC tournament for the first time after 29 years. However, India are playing their matches of the tournament in Dubai as part of the Hybrid Model after BCCI cited security concerns to not send their team across the border for the marquee event.

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