Ponting outlines next step for Pakistan ahead of India contest

ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has discussed where it went wrong for Pakistan in their opening match at the ICC Champions Trophy against New Zealand and what they need to put in place to upset archrival India in Dubai.

Pakistan Faces Challenges After Fakhar Zaman’s Injury Ahead of India Clash in Champions Trophy 2025

• Pakistan’s Struggling Title Defense:
  • Pakistan’s defense of their Champions Trophy title has started poorly with a 60-run loss to New Zealand in Karachi.
  • Things got worse for the defending champions when it was confirmed that Fakhar Zaman, their star opener, would miss the remainder of the 2025 Champions Trophy due to injury.
• Ponting comments on Pakistan’s difficulties:
  • In a recent episode of The ICC Review, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting discussed Pakistan’s challenges with host Sanjana Ganesan.
  • Ponting expressed his concerns, stating, “It’s going to be hard for Pakistan now” in light of Fakhar’s injury and their loss to New Zealand.
• Fakhar Zaman’s Injury Impact:
  • Fakhar Zaman injured himself while fielding against New Zealand and was visibly disappointed when he was dismissed, knowing that his injury would likely rule him out of the remainder of the tournament.
  • Pakistan confirmed on Thursday that Imam-ul-Haq had been brought in to replace Fakhar in the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.
• Ponting Reflects on Fakhar’s Disappointment:
  • Ponting showed sympathy for Fakhar’s situation, acknowledging the emotional impact of the injury, particularly since Fakhar Zaman had been in excellent form, making significant runs leading up to the tournament.
  • “It is heartbreaking… these players work hard for big tournaments,” Ponting added, emphasizing how tough it must be for both Fakhar and his teammates.
• Pakistan’s Challenge to Move Forward:
  • Ponting suggested that the best approach for Pakistan’s team was to quickly put Fakhar’s injury behind them and focus on the upcoming India vs. Pakistan match.
  • “When something like that happens, you have to give the player space to come to terms with it,” Ponting said. “Then you go to them later to offer support. But as a team, you need to regroup and quickly find someone to step up in Fakhar’s absence.”
• The need for quick adaptation:
  • Ponting emphasized the importance of moving on quickly after setbacks like Fakhar’s injury. He advised the team to discuss the situation privately, put it behind them, and focus on preparing for the high-pressure match against India.
  • “You’ve got to find a way to bounce back really quickly… When you get up the next day, as a group, you’ve got to regroup and find someone that can come in and do a good job for Pakistan,” Ponting said.
• The Road Ahead for Pakistan:
  • As Pakistan prepares for the crucial match against India, the team will need to adapt without Fakhar Zaman and find new ways to execute their game plan.
  • The India vs. Pakistan rivalry remains one of the most anticipated matchups in international cricket, and Pakistan will need to overcome these challenges to have any chance of progressing in the 2025 Champions Trophy.