ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 'Pakistan beating India would be an upset' - Basit Ali's bold statement

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali opened up about why he keeps backing Mohammed Rizwan-led side despite them consistently losing to India. He said that being a Pakistani, it's his wish that his team wins and he will keep supporting his national side.

India and Pakistan are all set to lock horns with each other in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match between the two arch-rivals is scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday (23rd February).

India and Pakistan have always brought their best against each other

India and Pakistan have always brought their best against each other, but in the last decade or so, it has been Men in Blue who have the upper hand. Be it T20Is or ODIs, it has been the Rohit Sharma-led side who have won a majority of the games.

Pakistan won the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 by beating India, but after that, the Men in Blue made a strong comeback, beating their arch-rivals in the Asia Cup and the ICC World Cup 2019. But in the 2021 T20 World Cup, the Men in Green returned the favor.

They beat India by 10 wickets and also defeated them in the Asia Cup encounter in 2022. The Rohit Sharma-led since then haven't lost to the Men in Green as they defeated them in the T20 World 2022, Asia Cup 2023, ICC World Cup 2023, and the T20 World 2024.

Cricket-wise, we say that India is very strong - Basit Ali

Basit Ali was asked about the confidence that Pakistan fans get despite losing to India. Replying to this, he said that India lost 3-0 to New Zealand at home in Tests and also faced a loss against Australia.

He admitted that the Men in Green are weak but said that it's their wish that they win. He also made a bold statement, saying that If Pakistan defeat India, it will be upset. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he said:

"That's not the point. You were losing to New Zealand in the Test series. There was a whitewash. And when you won the first match against Australia, I thought this team made a comeback. But then, you see, they lost from 3-1. Pakistan, I'll say it today. Maybe I won't be able to say it later. If Pakistan defeats India, as I have said before, it will be upset.

"For example, when Afghanistan beat Pakistan, we said it was not upset. Because our cricket is coming down. India always win against us. Even after that, we Pakistanis, what do we say on TV? Being a Pakistani, it is our wish that Pakistan wins. And it will be your wish as well that being an India, India wins, right? But cricket-wise, we say that India is very strong." said Basit Ali.

If there is a match again, we will say that Pakistan might win - Basit Ali

Basit Ali, while further stressing on the same, highlighted how Pakistan used to beat India in the '90s at Sharjah. He concluded by saying that even if Pakistan lost on 23rd February and arch-rivals would face each other in knockouts, they would still back Men in Green. He added:

"Now, in the 90s, we used to lose all the World Cup matches. But in Sharjah, we used to win against India. I think we played 4 matches against India. India won 1 match, where Sachin and Sidhu Paji scored 100. That was our last match.

"After that, we won all the matches. Even if we scored 256, 240, and we chased a target of 238-249. So, this is it. If Pakistan loses on the 23rd, which is an 80% chance because India is stronger. And after a week, if there is a match again, we will say that Pakistan might win. So, this is the truth." concluded Basit Ali.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 'Pakistan have upper hand' - Yuvraj Singh & other legends make IND vs PAK prediction