A few hours left for the defending champions Pakistan to start their Champions Trophy journey in 2025, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan made an unexpected request to the fans to boost their energy for the tournament. Pakistan will be facing New Zealand today, February 19, at the Karachi Stadium, and prior to that, he urged the fans to keep on criticizing them. Pakistan, despite having golden days, have struggled in recent ICC events. They failed to reach the semifinals in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Adding to the concerns, they lost twice to New Zealand in a recent tri-series featuring South Africa. Many experts have already written them off as contenders. Fans too have slammed and criticized their performances, which Rizwan unexpectedly seems to appreciate. He said, "If that's how we win, then keep underestimating us. Hopefully, we win. Look, we have a few concerns. As a player, I would say we need to improve our awareness a bit. We need to enhance our professionalism. There is no doubt that Pakistan has achieved great things. We have produced exceptional players." Read also: Shane Bond on New Zealand’s Champions Trophy Squad Depth Rizwan’s Bold Take on Pressure and Performance Rizwan’s statement has sparked mixed reactions. While some see it as a strategic way to motivate the team, others feel it reflects Pakistan’s inconsistent form. The skipper also spoke about the influence of Pakistani players worldwide. Speaking about that, he said, "Even now, young cricketers approach us to learn, and players from other countries do the same. I believe that if we work hard, execute our plans, and play smart cricket on the day, the Almighty will reward us." Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy win came as a surprise, with the team defying all odds. But this time, critics believe they will struggle in Group A, which includes India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. With their first game just hours away, all eyes will be on Pakistan, if they can continue where they left in the 2017 Champions Trophy.