Pakistan’s cricket team continues to face intense criticism following the early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and Indian cricket legend Sunil Gabascal will beat them on the second string Indian side as well It says it can.
India, the 2023 ODI World Cup finalist, expanded its dominance over archrivals with a six-wicket victory over defending champion Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday.
Gabaskar on the decline of Pakistan
Gavaskar questioned the lack of strength in Pakistan’s bench. This is a concern that has increased since the 2017 Champions Trophy win.
“I think India’s B-team can certainly give Pakistan a tough fight. AC team, I’m not too sure, but B-team is very much to beat for Pakistan in its current form. It’s going to be difficult,” Gavaskar said.
Pakistan, which held its first ICC tournament since 1996, was removed from the competition after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh in another Group A fixture. The team continues to win in ongoing tournaments.
Gabascal is in contrast to Pakistan’s struggle despite having Pakistan’s Super League (PSL), due to the rise in India’s white ball cricket due to the IPL.
“How did India produce many young stars? It’s the IPL’s fault. The players from there played domestic cricket and eventually played in India. That’s what Pakistan analyzed. It’s something you have to do,” he added.
Atherton: “The India-Pakistan clash is no longer competitive.”
Former British captain Michael Atherton reflected similar sentiments, calling his India-Pakistan rival a “unilateral” event.
“Well, it was completely one-sided,” Atherton said. “Pakistan’s batting had no energy or dynamism. It was predictable from the start, like the first match against New Zealand.”
Despite the historical significance of rivalry, India has ruled in recent years. Pakistan has only won one of its last nine ODI encounters against India, with its final victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy Final.
“Cricket wants to live up to the hype, but looking at the results over the past decade, it’s now a one-sided contest,” Atherton added.
Pakistan leads the ODI record against India with 58 wins in 136 matches, but their struggle at the ICC event continues to raise concerns about their future in international cricket.