Pakistan panic before India clash, hire 'special coach' for CT 2025

Pakistan will be banking on the experience of the former cricketer Mudassar Nazar in Dubai to beat India in an important match of Champions Trophy 2025. The team's fast bowler Haris Rauf is also confident that his side has the potential to beat India.

Pakistan's players had their first net session in Dubai on February 21 (Friday) as they prepared for the important game against India. The training took place in the ICC Academy and the team was greeted with chants of "Babar, Babar, King Babar, humara King Babar".

The spectators kept shouting and chanting Babar's name and asked for autographs and selfies. But Pakistani players look focused and shut out the outside noise. The Men in Green do not have much time to get acclimatized to the conditions in Dubai, which are different from Pakistan.

Also read: Fear of Pakistan? India players arrive for practice 1 hour early before blockbuster CT 2025 clash

Pakistan bank on Mudassar Nazar's Dubai experience

Former Pakistan batter Mudassar Nazar was also present during the session. He had a long chat with the players after getting everyone into a small huddle before the players started practicing again, as per TOI.

Nazar is familiar with the conditions in Dubai as he has previously worked as the interim coach of UAE's cricket team and in the ICC Academy in the city. He has a fair amount of experience of the conditions at the ground.

The team's batters including Babar Azam patiently listened to Mudassar Nazar. The legendary cricketer also gave a pep talk to the bowlers after they completed their net sessions with the bat. Nazar has been Pakistan's coach earlier and has also worked in the PCB before.

Mudassar Nazar has been in Dubai for a long time now. His tenure also overlapped with Pakistan's current head coach Aaqib Javed, who served as UAE's head coach back then. Both Mudassar Nazar and Aaqib Javed are aware of Dubai's conditions and Pakistan will be looking to exploit that.

Haris Rauf "confident" of beating India

Pakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf seemed confident of putting up a good show against India. Rauf played mind games by reminding everyone of Pakistan's two wins over India in Dubai and hopes to repeat those performances.

"We have beaten India twice here in Dubai. We will aim to make it three and repeat those performances. We are confident, and it will be a great match," Haris Rauf said before the training session.

The right-arm quick doesn't want to think too much about the team's past performances and wants to focus on the upcoming game against India. He revealed that Pakistan will address its mistakes from the game against New Zealand and will do well against India.

An important match for Pakistan

Pakistan lost their opening game of Champions Trophy 2025 to New Zealand at Karachi which makes this an important game for them. On the other hand, India started its campaign with a win over Bangladesh.

India will be more settled going into this match as they have already played a game on this ground. The Men in Blue will be confident going into this match and will look to be at their best ahead of an important game.