Pakistan cricket team vice-captain Salman Ali Agha prioritized winning the Champions Trophy over beating arch-rivals India. The high-octane IND vs PAK clash will take place in Dubai on February 23. For Agha, lifting the trophy is more important than merely beating Rohit Sharma and co.
“If we beat India but don’t…”
Speaking on a PCB podcast, Salman noted that beating India will hold no value if Pakistan couldn’t win the Champions Trophy later. He claimed that losing to India and then going on to win the title was a bigger achievement. Pakistan are the defending champions of the title, having last lifted the Trophy in 2017.
”The Pakistan-India match is the biggest, but winning the Champions Trophy is more important. If we beat India but don’t win the tournament, that win holds no value. However, if we lose to India but lift the trophy, that’s a bigger achievement. Our goal is to perform well and win the mega event,” Agha said.
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Champions Trophy is all set to get underway from February 19, with co-hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the tournament opener. Meanwhile, India will play all their matches in Dubai. A hybrid model was adopted for the tournament following India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the event. India last toured the neighbouring country in 2008 following which geopolitical tensions between both nations has forced the former to boycott cricket in the latter.
Agha revealed that it would be a dream come true for him to lift the Champions Trophy in front of his home crowd in Lahore.
”I am excited for the Champions Trophy – Pakistan hosting an ICC event is special. As a Lahore native, lifting the trophy in my hometown would be a dream come true. The Pakistan team has the potential to win,” he said.
