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In the high-voltage Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Pakistan, the latter’s captain Mohammad Rizwan was spotted in the dressing room with an amulet, also known as 'Tasbeeh', which is considered a good luck charm. Noting Rizwan, some fans started a debate on social media sites. While a few supported Pakistan skipper while some criticised the 32-year-old for mixing the sport with religion. Meanwhile, Champions Trophy 2017-winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was doing Hindi commentary, said, “Rizwan Allah ka jaap kar rahe hai.”
Reacting to Ahmed’s comment, Aakash Chopra replied, "Rohit Mahamrityunjay kar rahe hain." After Chopra, the next remark came from Suresh Raina. The World Cup 2011 champion said, "Virat Mahadev Bhakt hain and Abhi Mahashivratri bhi hain." The comments from the three commentators weren’t received well from fans and they criticised and trolled all three on social media sites. Reacting to the commentary, a user named Gyan Prakash Ojha wrote, “Sarfaraz : Riwaz allah ka jap kar rahe hain" Aakash Chopra : Rohit Mahamrityunjay kar rahe hain Raina: "Virat Mahadev Bhakt hain and Abhi Mahashivratri bhi hain. We got Mahadev vs Allah in commentary.”
Pakistan looking to post a competitive total on the board
Pakistan started their innings confidently but after their openers Babar Azam (23 off 26) and Imam-ul-Haq (10 off 26) departed, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan looked nervous but built a 104-run partnership off 144 balls. Rizwan got dismissed after scoring 46 off 77 while attempting to attack Axar Patel. Shakeel lost his battle to Hardik Pandya in the 35th over after accumulating 62 off 76 from his bat.
As of writing, the defending champions are 210/7 in 44.4 overs, with Khushdil Shah playing at 22 off 23 and Naseem Shah at eight off nine. Hardik and Kuldeep have been the most-successful bowlers for India with both picking two wickets each.
