Pakistan Team Touches Down in Dubai for Epic Clash with India
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Pakistan cricket team, under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, has arrived in Dubai ahead of their crucial Champions Trophy match against India. Following a recent defeat, they are set to train for the upcoming encounter to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan team arrives in Dubai for Champions Trophy.
- Match against India is critical for knockout stage qualification.
- Mohammad Rizwan leads the squad amid recent challenges.
- Fakhar Zaman ruled out due to injury, Imam-ul-Haq replaces him.
- Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in previous match.
Dubai, Feb 20 (NationPress) The Pakistan team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, touched down in Dubai on Thursday as they gear up for their pivotal second match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against their longstanding rivals, India, on February 23. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video on social media showcasing the players departing the airport and boarding their team bus towards the hotel.
The team arrived with six officials from the PCB, including Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who will oversee the preparations for this highly anticipated showdown between the defending champions and India. Notably, all of India’s matches in the Champions Trophy are set to take place at this venue.
Upon arrival, the Pakistan team will take some time to rest before commencing their training on Friday at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Academy, gearing up for this crucial must-win match.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan was penalized with a fine of five percent of their match fee due to a slow over-rate in their opening game, where they suffered a 60-run defeat against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. The fine was enforced after Mohammad Rizwan’s team was found to be one over short of the required rate, even after considering time allowances.
“Pakistan have been fined 5 percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday,” stated the ICC.
In a prior setback, Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the tournament due to an oblique injury sustained while fielding early in the second over of the game. The ICC has approved Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement. Zaman was the only player in the squad who had participated in the last edition of the Champions Trophy held in 2017.
Pakistan must secure a victory against India on Sunday to keep their hopes alive for advancing to the knockout stage.
