Aakash Chopra openly exposes Pakistan's strengths and weaknesses before Champions Trophy 2025

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra shared his thoughts on Pakistan’s strengths ahead of the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to begin on February 19. The former Indian opener said that Pakistan's batters perform at their best in the 50-over format, unlike in Tests or T20s.

Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. They will begin their campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The clash between India and Pakistan will take place in Dubai on February 23. They will end the group stage against Bangladesh on February 27.

Pakistan Are Not a Team That Does Well in Tests, T20s - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Pakistan are a very good ODI team. He highlighted that key players like Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan perform at their best in ODIs.

"If you see their overall team, they are actually an ODI team. They are not a team that does well in Tests, where they rely a lot on their spinners and win at home only. The fast bowling is decent, but if you see their batting order, it's not suited for T20s and Tests," he said (4:05).

"When you are somewhere in the middle, you say they are a very good ODI team. They look like a solid ODI team. When I look at their batting, whether it's Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan, the best of them comes out in ODIs," Aakash Chopra added.

They Know the Conditions Better Than Anybody Else - Aakash Chopra

In the same video, Aakash Chopra said that familiarity with home conditions and Dubai will be an advantage for Pakistan. Chopra pointed out that they recently played a tri-nation series against New Zealand and South Africa at home.

"They know the conditions better than anybody else and that is a huge strength. When they come to Dubai, they know the conditions very well there too. They also played a tri-nation series at home recently," he said.

"This team's recent form has been excellent. They have won the last three ODIs series (before the recent tri-series at home). They are coming after beating South Africa and Australia in away series. So the recent form is outstanding and playing at home is an advantage," Chopra observed.

Pakistan Finished as Runners-Up in the Recent Home Tri-Series

Pakistan finished as runners-up in the recent home tri-series after losing to New Zealand in the final. Notably, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side suffered two losses against New Zealand. Before the tri-series, Pakistan secured ODI series victories against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa in away conditions.

Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha hit centuries in a record-breaking run chase against South Africa during the recent tri-series.

Babar Azam has 6,019 runs in ODIs at an impressive average of 55.73 across 123 innings. Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman also average in the forties in the format. Fakhar notably played a match-winning 114-run knock in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammad Rizwan unhappy with Faheem Ashraf’s selection