ICC Champions Trophy 2025- Ricky Ponting predicts India vs Pakistan match winner

Legendary Australia cricketer Ricky Ponting feels that it will be hard for Pakistan to bounce back from their defeat to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener. Ponting also feels that Fakhar Zaman's unavailability will make it even more difficult for them.

However, Ricky Ponting used the term "unpredictable" for Pakistan and feels that they can still pull off a win in their next match against India which can bring their tournament back on track.

Pakistan will face India in an important match that can decide their fate in the ongoing Champions Trophy. The Men in Green need to win the match at any cost to keep their fate in their own hands but will face stiff competition from their arch-rivals.

Also read: Babar Azam ruled out of IND vs PAK!! Matchday report reveals no confirmation on participation

Ricky Ponting rates Pakistan's chances vs India

While speaking to The ICC Review, Ricky Ponting discussed Pakistan's chances in the Champions Trophy with the host Sanjana Ganesan. Ponting feels that the Men in Green will find it hard to make a comeback into the tournament. He expected Pakistan to beat New Zealand but that didn't happen.

"It is going to be hard for Pakistan now. We spoke only a few days ago and my prediction for that game was that Pakistan would beat New Zealand and probably beat them quite comfortably," Ponting said.

The former Australia captain also spoke about Fakhar Zaman's mid-game injury and claimed that it didn't allow Pakistan to gain the momentum in a match where they were chasing a stiff target of more than 300 runs.

"Fakhar's injury did not help their cause but they were chasing a very big total on the back of some great batting from New Zealand. To post 320, it was always going to be a hard run chase," he added.

How did Fakhar Zaman get injured?

Fakhar Zaman got injured just off the second ball of the tournament when he ran after a ball following a cover drive from New Zealand's opener Will Young off Shaheen Afridi. He appeared to be in some discomfort after collecting the ball.

He received some immediate treatment on the field but was taken off the field. Fakhar didn't appear back in the field for more than two hours. As a result, he wasn't allowed to open the batting and came at No. 4.

He was in clear discomfort while batting and was assisted by the team physio and doctor consistently between overs. He kept on taking painkillers but his 41-ball stay didn't become any easier for him. He couldn't find his rhythm throughout his innings and was finally dismissed for just 24 by Michael Bracewell.

Pakistan are "unpredictable" - Ricky Ponting

In the same video, Ricky Ponting called Pakistan as an "unpredictable" side. He expects Pakistan to produce its best cricket if they aim to beat India in the highly anticipated clash.

"With Pakistan, we talk about it every tournament, they are unpredictable. You never quite know what they are going to do. On their day, they were as capable as anybody," the former Australia skipper said.

"And now, having lost to New Zealand, they are going to have to be at their absolute best against India to beat them. India has got off to a great start, Pakistan not so much. And with that injury that we spoke about, I think it's going to be hard for them to bounce back, but they can," Ricky Ponting added.

Pakistan will face India on February 23 in Dubai. While the Men in Green started their campaign poorly against New Zealand, India got off to a winning start against Bangladesh. The match will be important for both the teams as India aim to put a foot in the semi-finals.

If Pakistan lose the match, they won't have their fate in their own hands and will have to rely on other results to go their way. They are also the defending champions and will be looking to stay alive in the tournament.