Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Pakistan, with Mohammad Rizwan at the helm, will be a serious challenger in the ICC Champions Trophy. This will be the first time Pakistan will host a senior ICC event since the 1996 World Cup, giving them the advantage of familiarity and local support.

“There’s always pressure when you play at home in the sub-continent – whether it’s India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or Pakistan – the expectations are massive,” Ravi Shastri noted during his appearance on The ICC Review. He emphasized that despite this pressure, Pakistan’s recent performances, particularly in white-ball cricket, have shown that they are capable of strong showings, citing their successful run in South Africa as a significant highlight.

While Pakistan will miss the services of young opener Saim Ayub, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury, Ravi Shastri is confident that the team has enough depth to be a serious threat.

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“They’ve missed Ayub at the top, and he’s a crucial player. But Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous, especially in home conditions. I would say they should qualify for the semifinals and from there, it’s anyone’s game. Pakistan are still very, very dangerous, and if they qualify, they’ll be doubly more dangerous,” he added, stressing their potential to cause upsets.

Echoing Ravi Shastri’s views, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting praised Pakistan’s fast bowling attack, calling it a key asset in their tournament prospects.

“I agree with Ravi. Saim Ayub is a high-quality player, and his absence is a massive gap to fill,” Ricky Ponting remarked. “But Pakistan’s fast bowling brigade is very, very good. Led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, they have the pace and skill to trouble any batting line-up.”

Ponting also highlighted the crucial role of Babar Azam and Rizwan in anchoring Pakistan’s batting. While Babar’s form has been inconsistent recently, Ponting believes that if both openers fire, Pakistan will be a tough opponent. “If Babar and Rizwan bring their A-games, that’s when Pakistan becomes incredibly dangerous,” he stated.

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The home crowd can also play a pivotal role in boosting Pakistan’s chances, as Ponting mentioned the dual nature of playing on home turf. “The pressure of playing at home can work both ways. It can be a real motivator, especially with the home crowd behind you. That support can sometimes help you cross the line in big moments.” Ricky Ponting concluded by stating that with key players performing at their best, Pakistan could very well make a deep run in the tournament, proving that they have the potential to beat any team on their day.