Winning the Champions Trophy is more important than beating India: Pakistan vice-captain Salman Ali Agha

NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket team vice-captain Salman Ali Agha has emphasised that winning the Champions Trophy is more important than merely defeating arch-rivals India in the upcoming ICC event. He also expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to win the tournament.
"I am excited for the Champions Trophy as Pakistan hosting an ICC event is special. Being from Lahore, lifting the trophy in my hometown would be a dream come true for me. The Pakistan team has the potential to win it," Salman said in an interview on PCB Podcast.
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Hosts Pakistan will begin their campaign against New Zealand on February 19, before facing India on February 23 in Dubai. Speaking about the much-anticipated clash against India, Salman acknowledged the unique atmosphere surrounding the rivalry but insisted that the bigger goal is lifting the trophy.
"The atmosphere during the India-Pakistan match remains very different. As they say it is the biggest game in the world. But the thing is that is just one game, so winning the Champions Trophy is more important, rather than winning that one game," Salman said.

"Agar woh jeet jaye aur Champions Trophy na jeetey toh koi faida toh hai nahi. Agar woh, Allah na kare, match haarte bhi hain aur Champions Trophy jeetey, toh mere khyaal se mere liye woh sabse badi cheez hai," he added.
Salman further added that he and his team will try to win the India match too, saying, "But we all want to win the India match, and we will try to win it. I will also try to give my best performance against them."
In the same podcast, former Pakistan cricketer and host Salman Butt spoke to spinner Abrar Ahmed, who shared his thoughts on which batter read his bowling the best.

"[David] Miller achcha khel raha tha. Baaki mujhe koi utna khaas nahi laga. David Miller mujhe achcha laga. Woh mujhe achcha khel raha hai, toh mujhe dot ball pe jana hai taaki woh galti kare. Maine out karne nahi jana hai usse," Abrar said.
As the tournament nears, Salman’s words highlight Pakistan’s ambition to go beyond just winning individual matches and focus on securing the prestigious ICC title.