The countdown for the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy has begun, with the arch-rivals set to face off on February 23 in Dubai. While it may seem like just another match on paper, the emotions and intensity surrounding this encounter are unmatched, with billions of fans on both sides of the border eagerly awaiting the showdown.
When asked about the significance of the match, Pakistan vice-captain Agha Salman emphasized that while defeating India is always special, winning the Champions Trophy remains the ultimate goal. For Salman, lifting the coveted trophy holds greater importance than a single victory over their biggest rivals.
Salman Excited for Champions Trophy, Dreams of Winning in Hometown Lahore
“I am thrilled about the Champions Trophy, as hosting an ICC event in Pakistan is truly special. Being a Lahore native, winning the trophy in my hometown would be a dream come true. I believe the Pakistan team has the potential to achieve this,” Salman said on the PCB Podcast.
“The atmosphere during an India-Pakistan match is always electrifying. As people say, it’s the biggest game in the world. However, it’s just one match, and our focus should be on winning the Champions Trophy rather than just that single game,” he added.
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Some members of Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity consider a victory against India to be a bigger achievement than winning an ICC event. However, Salman does not share this perspective.
“If we win against India but fail to lift the Champions Trophy, there’s no real benefit. On the other hand, even if, God forbid, we lose to India but go on to win the Champions Trophy, that would be the biggest achievement for me,” he said.
While the ultimate goal remains winning the Champions Trophy, Salman also emphasized his desire to contribute to his team’s success against India. “Of course, we all want to win against India, and we will give our best effort. I will also try to deliver my best performance against them,” he added.