"Tell Virat Kohli There's a Match vs Pakistan to Wake Him Up": Shoaib Akhtar's Hilarious Remark

Pakistan cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar has backed Virat Kohli, who has not been in the best of form before the 2025 Champions Trophy. Kohli, who was the Player of the Tournament in the last ODI World Cup, has not been among the runs of late. In his latest performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli began well, scoring a century in the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth. But he could not sustain it and managed only 190 runs in five Tests for the series.

In an exclusive chat with Sports Tak, Shoaib Akhtar has advised that if India wants Virat Kohli to find his form then they should just tell him that there is a match against Pakistan coming up. Akhtar also talked about Kohli’s match winning performance against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. That high pressure match against their arch rivals, Kohli played an unforgettable knock of 82* to lead India to a thrilling victory in that match.

"If you have to wake Virat Kohli up, tell him there is a match against Pakistan and he will wake up. The knock he played in Melbourne. He will wake up. Many players who don't have problems, come. Hopefully, the Babar Azam of Pakistan will come and he will show his skills" said Shoaib Akhtar.

India are readying for the Champions Trophy 2025, the tournament opening on February 19. Prior to the tournament, Indian team will play England in a three ODI series as a practice under captain Rohit Sharma.

India will start their campaign in the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh on February 20. The much talked about India vs Pakistan encounter is on February 23 in Dubai. All of India's group stage matches, as well as one of the semis, will be from Dubai. The destination for the final will be based on India's current situation. If they do make it to the final, it will be in Dubai; if not, then Lahore will host the final match.