The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 20, featuring the top eight cricket teams competing for the prestigious title. Notably, the tournament will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, with the opening match scheduled for February 19, where Pakistan will face New Zealand. While the cricketing world eagerly awaits the ICC event’s return after eight years, the biggest attraction remains the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash—one of the sport’s greatest rivalries. However, Pakistan vice captain Salman Agha is clear about what’s more important, beating India or winning the trophy.
India are set to face Pakistan on February 23 (Sunday) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Ahead of the highly anticipated clash, Pakistan’s vice-captain Salman Agha was asked whether he would prioritize defeating India over winning the Champions Trophy 2025. In response, Salman emphasized that while the India-Pakistan match holds great significance, securing the Champions Trophy title is far more important than a single victory.
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“Atmosphere to woh kaafi alag rehta hai, matlab keh le ki duniya ka sabse badi game hoti hai woh. Lekin end pe yahi hai ki woh ek match pe nahi, Champions Trophy jeetna zyada important hai rather than winning that only game. Agar woh jeet jaye aur Champions Trophy na jeete to koi fayda to hai nahi. Agar woh Allah na kare woh match haarte bhi aur Champions Trophy jeete hain, to mere khayal se mere liye woh sabse badi cheez hi hai. (The atmosphere is quite different; you could say it’s the biggest game in the world. But in the end, it’s not just about that one match. Winning the Champions Trophy is more important than just winning that single game. If we win that match but don’t win the Champions Trophy, then there’s no real benefit. On the other hand, if, God forbid, we lose that match but go on to win the Champions Trophy, then I believe that is the biggest achievement.),” said Salman on the PCB Podcast.
Watch the video here:
5️⃣8️⃣th edition of the PCB Podcast released! 🎙️
Salman Butt interviews Pakistan white-ball vice-captain @SalmanAliAgha1 and spinner Abrar Ahmed 🏏
🎥 https://t.co/6SjnJuTXkN
🎧 https://t.co/gOSUDlBXRt
⏪ https://t.co/uZ4BHqD4ub
🗒️ https://t.co/VEqCZeP3J7 pic.twitter.com/XA9qFS4fUC
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 15, 2025
However, he also expressed his determination to win the match against India and deliver a strong performance.
“Lekin haan, woh match aisa zaroor hai ki hum sab chahte hain ki hum woh match jeete aur koshish bhi karenge jeete. Aur usme main koshish bhi karunga acchi performance karun. (However, that match is definitely one we all want to win, and we will try our best to do so. I will also do my best to deliver a good performance in it.)”
