Former India all-rounder Sunil Gavaskar has a surprise choice for the winners of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gavaskar has picked Pakistan as the team to win the tournament as they will be playing at home.

Pakistan will host the upcoming Champions Trophy which will be played in a hybrid format. The Men in Green will play all their matches inside Pakistan except those involving India.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rejected India’s tour of Pakistan because they did not get permission from the government. As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided that the tournament would be played in a hybrid format with India’s matches being played in the UAE.

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Sunil Gavaskar has picked Pakistan to win the Champions Trophy 2025

Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar chose Pakistan because he will be playing at home. He also recalled India’s performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 where they dominated the entire tournament except the final.

“The number of favorites should be given to Pakistan team because it is not easy to beat any team at their home ground. India lost in the final of ODI World Cup 2023 but before that they did well and won ten matches. So, I feel that Pakistan is the favorite. upcoming tournament,” Gavaskar said.

India reached the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 and were favorites to win the tournament. However, the Men in Blue were rocked at the wrong time and lost to Australia in a heart-pounding encounter in Ahmedabad.

Schedule of ICC Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi in Pakistan. India will play all its matches in Dubai. If India qualify for the knockouts, they will continue to play their matches in Dubai.

The tournament will begin with home team Pakistan playing New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The final will be played in Dubai or Lahore on March 9 depending on India’s availability.

Pakistan are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy. The Men in Green defeated India in the final in 2017 in a one-sided match played at The Oval, London. Pakistan won the match by a massive 180 runs.

A serious injury problem in Pakistan

Meanwhile, Pakistan has a big problem ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. Talented opener Saim Ayub suffered a serious injury during Pakistan’s Test match against South Africa and was immediately released.

Ayub was immediately sent to London for further treatment. However, reports suggest that he will not be in time for the tournament which will be a big challenge for Pakistan.

The Men in Green will play a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan in the tri-series and Champions Trophy as well.