Pakistan is poised to host its first ICC event in nearly three decades, with the last occurrence being the 1996 World Cup held in the subcontinent. At that time, Virat Kohli was merely eight years old, while Babar Azam was just one. This illustrates the lengthy wait for this moment. For Pakistan, a nation that has faced significant obstacles to reach this point, the ICC Champions Trophy, commencing on February 19, represents more than a mere tournament; it embodies resilience. Having navigated the challenges of potentially never hosting international cricket again, Pakistan is now set to welcome eight premier cricketing nations, marking a significant milestone for the country and its cricketing heritage.

While India's absence is noteworthy, the enthusiasm in Pakistan is palpable as cricket enthusiasts prepare to see multiple teams compete. In the lead-up to the tournament, much of the discourse revolved around the readiness of the stadiums in Lahore and Karachi. However, the recent tri-series involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa alleviated those concerns, demonstrating that the venues are indeed prepared for matches.

"This is a moment of great pride for the entire nation. We are hosting an ICC event for the first time since 1996. I sincerely hope this marks the beginning of a new era. If this event proves successful, perhaps the ICC will consider granting us more tournaments in the future. Once the tournament concludes, I encourage all teams to share their experiences regarding our hospitality and support. I am optimistic that Pakistan will host many more events soon," remarked former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal in an interview with The Hindustan Times.

"The entire nation is in high spirits. For the past four to five months, there has been ongoing debate about whether Pakistan would indeed host the Champions Trophy. The stadiums have been undergoing upgrades, and the public is eagerly anticipating the tournament's commencement. The atmosphere is akin to that of Eid. Everything is operating smoothly," he further stated.

The recent tri-series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa experienced low attendance, particularly in Karachi. Will fans show up in full force for the Champions Trophy? Akmal is confident they will. Notably, tickets for all matches are already in high demand.

Can Pakistan win the Champions Trophy?

Akmal openly acknowledged that Pakistan seems ill-equipped to defend its Champions Trophy title. He expressed concerns regarding the squad selection, deeming it questionable, and voiced scepticism about the prospects of the team led by Mohammad Rizwan, suggesting they may find it challenging to even secure a place in the semi-finals.

"The Pakistan team is such that it may reach the moon if it performs well, but otherwise, it may not last until evening. Our team has numerous weaknesses. The bowling attack is faltering, and we lack effective spinners. The opening batsmen are also struggling. I am uncertain about the rationale behind the selectors' and captain's decisions. Even our chairman endorsed this selection. We will have to wait and see how it plays out. Other teams appear to be much more balanced," Kamran remarked.

"We could have fielded a stronger team. I believe that India, New Zealand, England, and South Africa are likely to reach the semi-finals. Australia is weakened due to injuries to five key players. I am perplexed by the reasoning behind the selection of this Pakistan team. The chairman, having limited cricket experience, may not fully grasp the complexities involved, which could explain his approval of such a squad. India clearly stands out as the favorite and deserves to reach the final. However, I cannot say the same for Pakistan. If they manage to reach the semi-finals, I would regard it as a significant achievement," he added.

In further comments, Akmal stated, "If Pakistan manages to defeat either India or New Zealand but still fails to qualify for the top four, I would still consider that a semi-final achievement for Pakistan. This reflects the current state of our team."

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