Zimbabwe’s all-rounder and T20I captain Sikandar Raza has made his predictions for the top four teams in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE next month.
In a recent interview, Raza expressed confidence that both Pakistan and India would be strong contenders for the title.
"I think Pakistan and India will do well in the Champions Trophy. Both teams have the quality and talent to dominate in this format," he remarked.
Raza also highlighted the progress of Zimbabwe's national team, recognizing their potential despite still being a work in progress. He noted, "I know it's a work in progress with this young team, but they've shown they can win, especially at home."
Further, the 38-year-old praised Australia’s experience and strength, especially after their recent World Cup win in India. "You can't write off Australia. They recently won the World Cup in India, and their experience in such tournaments makes them a threat," he said.
Raza’s predictions for the semi-finals include Pakistan, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
On Pakistan's talent, Raza expressed particular optimism for Abdullah Shafique, calling him a future superstar. "I'm praying really hard for Abdullah to find form because he is going to be a big, big superstar in all forms of the game. Especially in the longer format, he's going to be very consistent, and he's going to win Pakistan a lot of games," he said.
He also shared his thoughts on Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, lamenting how quickly fans turn on players.
"Sometimes, it's disheartening to see how quickly people turn on players. But someone like Babar deserves all the respect. He has consistently delivered for Pakistan at the highest level." he stated, praising Azam’s continued excellence for Pakistan.
Raza reflected on a fun moment with Fakhar Zaman, recalling a time when Zaman was disappointed for not being informed of his visit to Dubai. "Fakhar Bhai texted me once, and he was upset that I didn't inform him that I was in Dubai. Later, we patched things up. The bond we share from Lahore Qalandars and international cricket has brought us closer. Fakhar is not just a great player but also a great friend," he concluded.
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