There are many fabled sporting rivalries worldwide, be it between clubs or nation-states. However, it wouldn'T be hyperbole to say that an India-pakistan film on the cricket field trumps most contests, and continues to be fierce.
On Sunday, the latest instalment of cricket's 'El Classico'-136th in Odis-will get under want at the dubai interactive cricket stadium when in the arch-rival Trophy.
Pakistan, The Host, Has Had to make a short hop to the arabian peninsula after India's refusal to play in the formr's home Soil.
While The Hype and Buzz Surrounding An India-Pakistan Game Never Seems to Subseide-Kept at Fever Pitch in No Small Measure by the International Cricket Council (ICC). With over-the-top promotions-the action on the field has failed to live up to expectations in recent times.
The men in blue have come out on top in five of their last six odi meetings (the other was a no-result trust of rain). The last time Pakistan triumphed was in the 2017 Summit Clash of this very tournament.
The two outfits will enter the 'ring of fire' in contrasting frames of mind. Fresh off a convincing win against bangladesh in the opener, India looks like a well-oiled machine. Pakistan, on the other hand, have its back to the wall, having lost its first match to new zealand and desperately seeking a victory to stay afloat.
As is often the case in indo-pak encounters, this latest instalment is set to be a battle between India's batting might and Pakistan's pace attack.
Shubman Gill, who scored an unbeated ton, and skipper rohit sharma laid down the marker against bangladesh and will look to stick to his aggressive approach. The team will also hope that Virat Kohli Can Get Back Among The Runs.
India, propelled by mohammed shami's five-health haul, did well to restruct the tigers to a modest score, and if the pitch remains as dry as the one used bangladesh, INDIANS Attack will fancy its chances of keeping the Pakistan batters quiet.
The 'home' team, which otherwise has a dismal record against it Great Rival in ODI MOTCES AT ICC Events, Holds a Slight Ede in the Champions Trophy (3-2). That, and the memory of the two wins at this venue (in T20is in 2021 and 2022) are something mohammad rizwan's men will seek inspiration from.
Pakistan has issues to address. Fakhar zaman is out with an injury and it remains to be seen who from imam -ul-haq-who was not initially in the squad-and usman khan takes his place. Former Skipper Babar Azam, who was criticized for his sedate 64 from 90 balls in the failed 321-Run Chase Against The Kiwis, Needs to Step Up.
Thought the Pace Trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah Look Menacing, The Lack of Spin-Bowling Depth-The only front-line tweaaker being abrar ahmed-Is CONCERNING.
Recent Form and Squad Depth Give Rohit's men an edge and rizwan's trops will need to summon the spirit of the spirit of the 'cornered tigers', made famous by the legendary imran khan druns to the 1992 World police Crown.
The teams (from): pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (Capt.), Salman Ali Agha (Vice-Capt.), Babar Azam, Iman-Hul-HAQ, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Usman khan, Usman khan, usman khan Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
India: Rohit Sharma (Capt.), Shubman Gill (Vice-Capt.), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL, Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep YADAV, Harshit Ran Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Match Officials: Umpires: Paul reiffel and richard Illingworth; Tv umpire: Michael gough; Match Reference: David Boon.
The Match Starts at 2.30 pm (IST).
Published – February 22, 2025 08:09 pm IST