LONDON, Sept 6: Pakistan believe they have armoury to overpower India for a third match in a row when the old rivals clash in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan beat their neighbours by 59 runs in the Asian Cup last month and followed it up with a 66-run triumph in the Netherlands tournament.

The arch-rivals clash again at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sept 19. "In the last two games we dominated them, we beat them and I hope we're going to perform in the same way," said wicket-keeper and former skipper Moin Khan.

"It's going to be an exciting game because a lot of Pakistani people live here and support us. "Definitely there's going to be lots of pressure on both teams." Strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes Saturday's narrow defeat against Australia bodes well for the side in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan came up 10 runs short at Lord's but would only face Australia again if they meet in the final. "We almost beat Australia and if you can beat Australia you can beat any side in the world," Shoaib told the BBC.

"This is a great opportunity for us to win the ICC Champions Trophy. If we don't win it I'm sure we should manage to do well." Moin echoed the fast bowler's confidence. "It's almost like the World Cup - every team is participating," said the keeper. "Everybody in the team is really looking forward to winning this tournament." -AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...