Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has predicted that Afghanistan will be among the four semi-finalists of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to begin later this month in Pakistan.Akhtar told the media that if the Afghan cricket team demonstrate ‘maturity& and ‘patience& then they can deliver surprising results in the upcoming mega event, Geo Super reported.Akhtar also named hosts and defending champions Pakistan and arch-rivals India as his remaining semi-final contenders.&I believe Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan will reach the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy,& said Akhtar.&If Afghanistan'steam demonstrates maturity and their batsmen show patience, they could deliver surprising results,& he added.The right-arm pacer further shared that he is hopeful for Pakistan to beat India before expressing his desire to see the fierce rivals colliding in the blockbuster final.&I&m hopeful that Pakistan will defeat India on February 23.
In fact, I believe that both Pakistan and India should also meet in the final of the tournament.&If Pakistan defeats India and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, the Green Shirts will have already won half the tournament.&The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19 with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi.  The post Shoaib Akhtar predicts Afghanistan will win semi-final spot in Champions Trophy first appeared on Ariana News.