After losing the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday, former Pakistani cricket players Shoaib Malik and Shoaib Akhtar believe their country can win against India in Dubai to salvage their campaign.

In the opening match of the tournament, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs. At the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, Pakistan will play India in a contest that must be won.

Pakistan was routed by 60 runs by New Zealand as the hosts failed to chase 320 runs on a flat wicket in Karachi. While Will Young and Tom Latham scored centuries for New Zealand and Glenn Phillips hit a quick fifty, the Pakistan chase proved to be a dud.

Babar Azam scored 64 runs in 90 balls as Pakistan made 22 runs in the first 10 overs. Salman Ali Agha (42 in 28) and Khushdil Shah (69 in 49) tried their best to reduce the deficit of loss, and ultimately Pakistan lost by 60 runs.

This makes their match against India in Dubai on February 23 a must-win game for the Men in the Green side. Shoaib Malik stated that Pakistan still has an opportunity to stay alive in the competition,n and anyone who performs against India will become an instant hero.

“I’m very hopeful that we still have a chance to beat India in our next match. And then we will continue our match with Bangladesh. Of course, morale is down. Confidence is down. But I think the character is still there.

And we have that potential in our team to win against India. And I’m very hopeful. But now it’s their responsibility. The seniors will have to step up. Because it will be a pressure game. And for you, it’s a do-or-die game. Imagine if someone wins a game, do-or-die against India will become an instant superstar So, I think opportunity is there. There is pressure, but opportunity. Take it as an opportunity,” Shoaib Malik said on Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube channel.

On the other hand, Shoaib Akhtar stated that he wants Pakistan to play an aggressive brand of cricket against India, if they want to win the match.

“I think my take is that rather than be on the defensive side play attacking cricket. I wish them best of luck against India. Overall, it was a very disappointing performance. If we look at the technical side, there are a lot of things.

There should have been at least 5-6 bowlers. India, they play with 5-6 bowlers. They play more than that. They play with 7 bowlers. But again, I think the process of the planning is a bit lacking. And moving forward, I think now you’ve put yourself in a difficult spot. You’re in a must-win situation. I wish them best of luck.

And hope you don’t make the same mistakes that you made against New Zealand and batted with such a low strike rate. If you had played it like a do-or-die game, it would have been different. If you had done good fielding, or if you had put in more effort in the fielding, then it would have been a different story,” Shoaib Akhtar stated.