IND vs PAK, Champions Trophy 2025: Ricky Ponting Believes India Clash Tough For 'Unpredictable' Pakistan

IND vs PAK: Legend Ricky Ponting has said 'unpredictable' Pakistan is capable like any other team in the Champions Trophy 2025, but the former Australian captain believes the Men in Green will find it hard against their arch-rivals on Sunday (February 23)

Ponting feels Pakistan's chances of success in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 took a significant hit following their 60-run loss to New Zealand in the opening match, after which they lost opener Fakhar Zaman through injury.

Ponting discussed Pakistan's plight with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review and the former Australia captain thinks it is going to be tough for the Asian side to put the loss of Fakhar behind them and return to winning ways against India on Sunday.

"It is going to be hard for Pakistan now. We spoke only a few days ago and my prediction for that game was that Pakistan would beat New Zealand and probably beat them quite comfortably," Ponting said as quoted by ICC.

Pakistan's title defence got off to a poor start when they fell to a 60-run loss to the Black Caps in Karachi and the news got worse for the reigning champions when it was revealed that star opener Fakhar Zaman would miss the remainder of the tournament due to injury.

"Fakhar's injury did not help their cause but they were chasing a very big total on the back of some great batting from New Zealand. To post 320, it was always going to be a hard run chase," Ponting added.

However, the ex Aussie skipper emphasized that Pakistan needs to move on quickly and find a way to regroup ahead of their crucial match against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

"With Pakistan, we talk about it every tournament, they are unpredictable. You never quite know what they are going to do. On their day, they were as capable as anybody," Ponting said.

"And now, having lost to New Zealand, they are going to have to be at their absolute best against India to beat them. India has got off to a great start, Pakistan not so much. And with that injury that we spoke about, I think it's going to be hard for them to bounce back, but they can."