ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shehbaz Sharif strictly orders Pakistan to beat India at any cost

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sent a clear and strong message to all the participating nations, especially India, regarding the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Shehbaz Sharif said that the true test for Pakistan is not just to win the ICC Champions Trophy, but to crush their fiercest rivals, India, in the high-voltage match in Dubai.

With the ICC Champions Trophy on the horizon, all eyes are set on the mother of clashes between Pakistan and India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on February 23. Tickets for this high-stakes encounter have already sold out.

PM Shehbaz Sharif wants Pakistan to beat India in Dubai

For Pakistan, the stakes are higher than ever, as they are hosting the ICC event after nearly three decades, so it is a moment of pride for the entire nation, and PM Shehbaz Sharif has already raised the tension by handing the huge task to Men in Green to thrash India in Dubai.

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However, India have a great record in the ICC event in the 50-over format against the Men in Blue, but the memories of their 2017 Champions Trophy triumph, where they crushed India in the final, and their iconic win in the 2021 T20 World Cup are enough to fuel their confidence.

Pakistan are entering into the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as the defending champions, and Sharif expressed full confidence in the team's capabilities to deliver strong performances in the tournament and said that they will have overwhelming support from the entire nation.

I have full confidence that our team will continue to make the nation proud: Shehbaz Sharif

Shehbaz Sharif was quoted as saying by The Indian Express at the inauguration ceremony of the newly renovated and upgraded Gaddafi Stadium: “We have a very good side, and they have done well in recent times, but the real task now is to not only win the Champions Trophy but also defeat our arch-rival, India, in the upcoming match in Dubai.”

The Pakistan PM added, “The entire nation stands behind them. It is a big occasion for Pakistan that we are hosting a big ICC event after nearly 29 years. I have full confidence that our team will continue to make the nation proud in the upcoming Champions Trophy.”

Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board upgraded three stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. However, India won’t come to Pakistan; instead, they will play their matches in the UAE, and if they qualify for the knockouts, then Dubai will host the final round of the eight-nation ODI tournament next month.

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Pakistan to deploy Army and Civil Forces to ensure safety for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Meanwhile, the Pakistan federal cabinet has given a green signal to the security measures for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with military forces set to be deployed under Article 245 of the Constitution. The Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces will be taking charge to ensure the safety of the foreign teams that will begin arriving in Pakistan from February 12 for the event.

The Ministry of Interior has instructed all related agencies and provincial home departments to provide full security arrangements for the teams. The visiting teams will be reportedly given top-tier security, ensuring their safety and minimizing any potential threats during the event.