Pakistan's Secret Weapon for Champions Trophy 2025 Clash Against India Revealed

The 2025 Champions Trophy is a landmark event for Pakistan—it marks the nation’s first time hosting a major ICC tournament in 29 years since the 1996 Cricket World Cup. But instead of the excitement that should come with such a momentous occasion, the mood has been dampened. Pakistan now find themselves on the brink of an early exit.

A disappointing 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening match has left them in a precarious position, turning their upcoming clash against India on 23rd February in Dubai into a must-win encounter. With their tournament hopes hanging by a thread, Pakistan have turned to a former cricketing great to help them navigate this high-stakes showdown. According to reports, Pakistan have roped in Mudassar Nazar to prepare for their crunch tie against India. Earlier today, Nazar was even spotted at Pakistan’s training session. Bringing Nazar on board is a significant boost for Pakistan’s coaching setup. While die-hard Pakistani cricket fans are well aware of his legacy, many Indian supporters might not be as familiar with him. If you’re one of them, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered. 

Who is Mudassar Nazar? 

Nazar is a seasoned figure in Pakistani cricket, boasting an impressive international career that spanned 76 Test matches and 122 ODIs. A right-handed batter, the 68-year-old made his mark in the longest format with 4,114 runs, while adding another 2,653 runs in one-day internationals. Across both formats, he notched up 10 centuries and 33 half-centuries, proving to be a reliable performer with the bat. But his contributions didn’t stop there – Nazar was also a handy bowler, picking up 66 Test wickets and 111 scalps in ODIs, making him a valuable all-round asset for Pakistan during his playing days. 

In what capacity will Mudassar Nazar help Pakistan? 

Many fans are left puzzled by the decision to add Nazar to the coaching staff this late. However, the rationale behind including him is very simple. He was a highly respected during his playing days and continues to be a respected figure within Pakistani cricket because of his experience as a player as well as a coach. Since retiring in 1989, Mudassar Nazar has remained deeply involved in the game, taking on various administrative and coaching roles. He had multiple stints coaching the Pakistan national team between 1993 and 2001 before taking on a similar role with Kenya. More recently, he has been part of the Lahore Qalandars’ coaching setup. 

One area where his expertise could prove invaluable is adapting to the conditions in Dubai. Nazar served as the head coach of the UAE Under-19 team during the 2021 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup and the 2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In March 2023, he stepped in as the interim head coach of the UAE senior team after Robin Singh was sacked. His appointment was seen as a stabilizing move for the squad, given his vast experience in coaching and player development.  

Beyond coaching, he has also led the National Cricket Academy in Pakistan and the ICC Global Academy in Dubai. However, with the Champions Trophy being a short tournament, the big question is whether Nazar can make a meaningful impact in such a limited timeframe.  

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