Champions Celebrated: Pakistan's Past Glory Inspires Future Hopes

Former Pakistan cricket team members from the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy were honored at the 2025 tournament's opening in Lahore. Sarfaraz Ahmed and other players expressed confidence in the current team's potential to win. They emphasized the home ground advantage and the importance of team momentum.

In the vibrant opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Lahore, Pakistan's victorious squad from 2017 was celebrated with applause and admiration. Leading the team back then, Sarfaraz Ahmed, alongside cricketers Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, and others, projected optimism for the current team's chances of defending their title.

Expressing firm belief in the present squad's capabilities, Sarfaraz remarked, 'Our team is exceedingly capable of retaining the championship. The outcome rests on the players' performance on any given day.' He attributed additional strength to the hosts, underlining the advantage and excitement of playing on home ground after a long interval.

He added, 'The support from our people and the grandeur of the occasion will drive our players to excel.' Azhar Ali, now a national selector, voiced similar sentiments, asserting that only the finest players for the prevailing conditions have been selected.