'Remember Mohammed Amir’s spell' - Suresh Raina recalls Iconic India-Pakistan rivalry in Champions Trophy

India and Pakistan rivalry has the world’s attention whenever they face off each other in cricket. The fact that both the countries do not play any bilateral series and just meet during Asia Cup and ICC event. In one of such instances, the Asian giants will collide once again on the global stage during the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 game on February 23.

The last time both the team met in Champions Trophy in 2017, Pakistan won a historic final against India to lift their first title of its kind. As the crucial game is nearing, former India batter, Suresh Raina, highlighted the weight this iconic rivalry carries. He also recalled Mohammad Amir’s spell in 2017, where he had cut through India’s top order with his fiery bowling.

“When we talk about the Champions Trophy, I remember Mohammed Amir’s spell. He got the wickets of Rohit and Virat, then Hardik who was playing good. But I think both of them will have a fifty percent chance, Virat Kohli will come again and win it for India, he performance will be out of the box. But I think Pakistan has a better bowling attack we both have left-arm fast bowler, but the kind of passion they play with and whenever they play in Dubai, they get the home advantage,” said Raina on Star Sports' Press Room show. 

The top-order will have to play till 35th over: Raina 

As India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy where the country was the designated host, Dubai was chosen as the co-host, specially arranged for all of India's fixtures, including the one against Pakistan. Keeping in mind the Middle East conditions, Raina advised that one of the top three batters to bat till 35th over to tackle the Pakistani bowling lineup.

Also Read: Spinners who can bat is crucial to win tournaments like Champions Trophy: Raina

“Pakistan has played a lot of cricket in Dubai, and we have also lost a World Cup game there, but this scenario will be different because Rohit Sharma knows how crucial these matches with Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand are. I think top three, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, one of these batters will have to play till the 35th over. Then we have those kinds of batters who can play big shots. You know there is a different kind of passion when it comes to India versus Pakistan, a lot of people from Delhi might be planning to go to Dubai to watch matches and like Shoaib Akhtar said “wake up Virat you have to face Pakistan…” Raina added.