ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Haris Rauf confident ahead of Pakistan’s must-win match against India
Xtra Time Web Desk: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has emphasized that the defending champions are determined to move past their 60-run defeat to New Zealand and focus on the high-stakes Group A match against India on Sunday, February 23. Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign began on a disappointing note as they were outplayed in front of a passionate home crowd in Karachi, marking their first ICC tournament loss at home in 29 years.
The defeat has put Pakistan at risk of an early exit from the tournament. Another loss to India could jeopardize their chances of reaching the semi-finals, especially after their Net Run Rate took a hit. However, Rauf assured that the team is not feeling additional pressure and is fully focused on the upcoming clash.
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"Everybody is doing well in the camp. We are focused on doing well. We will try to give our best and ensure we win the match. There is no pressure. We are very relaxed. We are all positive, we will approach the game like any other," Rauf said ahead of Pakistan’s first training session in Dubai.
"That match (New Zealand) is gone. We are focused on the India game. We want to make sure that we don't repeat the mistakes from that match here. This is a very important match for us. We want to win it to make sure we qualify for the semi-final," he added.
Pakistan arrived in Dubai on Thursday and held their first training session on Friday. Despite the setback, the team is drawing confidence from their recent successes against India, including their 180-run victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy final and two T20I wins in Dubai. However, Rauf acknowledged that past results will only matter if they perform well on the day.
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"No doubt, it will (boost our confidence). We have beaten India here in back-to-back years. We will try and repeat the good things from those games and try and beat India. I hope it's a good match. No doubt, the record is good. But it depends on the pitches. It might be a spin track. We will look at the conditions and try and use them well," Rauf said.
Pakistan will be without explosive opener Fakhar Zaman, who sustained an injury against New Zealand. Meanwhile, India enter the match with momentum after a six-wicket win over Bangladesh.
