Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting believe Pakistan Team will pose a ‘significant threat’ in the Champions Trophy

Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting have shared their insights on Pakistan’s prospects in the upcoming tournament, both believing the team has the potential to make a significant impact.

This marks Pakistan’s first time co-hosting a senior ICC event since the 1996 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, with the stakes higher than ever. Shastri, the former India head coach, acknowledges the pressure of playing in front of a home crowd, particularly in the subcontinent, but remains hopeful about Pakistan’s chances.

“There’s always pressure when you play at home in the subcontinent – whether it’s India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or Pakistan – the expectations are huge,” Shastri said on The ICC Review.

“But I believe Pakistan is the kind of team that, with the exposure they’ve had in the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have delivered some strong performances, especially in South Africa,” he added.

Shastri also mentioned the absence of talented young opener Saim Ayub, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury.

“They’ve missed Ayub at the top, and he’s a key player,” he noted.

“But Pakistan has enough depth to be dangerous, especially in home conditions. I believe they should qualify for the semi-finals, and from there, it’s anyone’s game,” he continued.

The former India coach is confident that if Pakistan advances to the knockout stages, they could be a serious threat to any team.

“Pakistan are still very, very dangerous, and if they qualify, they’ll be even more dangerous,” he added.

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, echoed Shastri’s sentiments, focusing on Pakistan’s strong fast bowling attack and the form of former skipper Babar Azam. Ponting believes Pakistan’s pace attack could prove crucial in the tournament.

“I agree with Ravi. Saim Ayub is a high-quality player, and his absence is a significant loss,” Ponting said.

“But Pakistan’s fast bowling unit is very, very strong. Led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who’ve been outstanding in recent series, they have the pace and skill to trouble any batting line-up,” he added.

Ponting emphasized that if Pakistan’s key players perform to their potential, they will be a team to reckon with.

“They’ve still got enough top-quality players to beat any team on any given day,” he said.

“If they play well, they’ll be right in it,” Ponting concluded.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on February 19, with hosts and defending champions Pakistan facing New Zealand at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.