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'Want Pakistan To Win': Ex-Indian Pacer's Outrageous Claim To Fuel IND-PAK Rivalry

Akshita Patel

Indian pacer choses Pakistan over India for Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @ANI, @LoyalSachinFan/X.com]Indian pacer choses Pakistan over India for Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @ANI, @LoyalSachinFan/X.com]

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Former Indian pacer Atul Wassan quoted Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachan's example to propose that Pakistan has to defeat India in the next Champions Trophy match. He justified that this would pour fuel into the dead rivalry.

India-Pakistan rivalry will reignite on February 23 as the two arch-nemesis will clash in the 5th fixture of Champions Trophy 2025. 

The game will be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium as the tournament has been shifted to a hybrid model.

However, a former Indian cricketer has made an outrageous claim related to the results of the clash.

Atul Wassan backs Pakistan to win against India

Former Indian pacer Atul Wassan has expressed his desire for Pakistan to win. 

Wassan believes that India’s dominance over their arch-rivals has made the rivalry one-sided and compared it to watching Amitabh Bachchan fight villains without taking a hit, which reduces the excitement.

"I want Pakistan to win because it will make the rest of the tournament more exciting. If Pakistan plays well and wins, there will be a real contest. It's like Amitabh Bachchan-if he keeps punching the enemies nonstop, there's no fun in watching it. I hope Pakistan makes a comeback; it will be good for the tournament," Wassan said.

Wassan highlighted how the balance of power in India-Pakistan cricket has shifted over the years. 

"Until Pakistan improves its cricket, there's no excitement in watching India vs Pakistan games. When I played in the '90s, Pakistan had so many great players-Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Saeed Anwar. We used to lose to them quite often. Whatever happened in Pakistan affected their cricket, and they suffered because of it. Meanwhile, India have only grown stronger. Since the 2000s, we have dominated them," he added.

Haris Rauf Plays Down Pressure Before India-Pakistan Encounter

Ahead of India and Pakistan face-off in the Champions Trophy, Haris Rauf has been bold enough. He asserted that the Pakistan team is not experiencing any pressure as they approach the high-octane game.

However, the numbers paint a different story. Rauf’s campaign began on a disastrous note, as he conceded 83 runs in 10 overs in Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand, making him the second most expensive bowler for Pakistan in Champions Trophy history.