Former India captain and current commentator Ravi Shastri said hosts Pakistan would become 'doubly dangerous' if they can qualify for the knockout phase of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19.

Pakistan are the defending champions in the Champions Trophy, having beaten India in the final in 2017 to lift the trophy. 

Shastri, who was the coach of the Indian team at the time, said that if the Mohammad Rizwan-led side makes it out of their Group A, which consists of India, Bangladesh and New Zealand, then they would pose a serious threat in the knockout phase.

"Pakistan are still very, very dangerous, and if they qualify, they'll be doubly more dangerous," Shastri told the ICC.

"Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous, especially in home conditions. I would say they should qualify for the semi-finals and from there, it's anyone's game," he added.

The pressure would be on Pakistan as the defending champions and also the host nation. Still, Shastri felt Pakistan could handle that extra pressure,

"There's always pressure when you play at home in the sub-continent – whether it's India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or Pakistan – the expectations are massive.

"But I think Pakistan are the kind of side that, with the exposure they've had in the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have put up some really strong performances, especially in South Africa."

The tournament will jointly take place in Pakistan and the UAE. All of India's matches will take place in the UAE after the BCCI refused to send the team to Pakistan.