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There are numerous fabled sporting rivalries worldwide, be it between golf equipment or nation-states. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that an India-Pakistan fixture on the cricket subject trumps most contests, and continues to be fierce.
On Sunday, the most recent instalment of cricket’s ‘El Classico’ — 136th in ODIs — will get underway on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium when the arch-rivals meet of their second Group-A match of the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan, the host, has needed to make a brief hop to the Arabian peninsula after India’s refusal to play on the previous’s house soil.
Whereas the hype and buzz surrounding an India-Pakistan recreation by no means appears to subside — saved at fever pitch in no small measure by the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), and the broadcasters who give you over-the-top promotions — the motion on the sphere has didn’t reside as much as expectations in current occasions.
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The Males in Blue have come out on prime in 5 of their final six ODI conferences (the opposite was a no-result due to rain). The final time Pakistan triumphed was within the 2017 summit conflict of this very match.
The 2 outfits will enter the ‘Ring of Fire’ in contrasting frames of thoughts. Contemporary off a convincing win towards Bangladesh within the opener, India appears like a well-oiled machine.
A spectacular Gill century will get India’s #ChampionsTrophy2025 marketing campaign going.
Highlights 👉https://t.co/SHVpBkBRaT#IndvsBanpic.twitter.com/wH3cv2rEYp
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) February 20, 2025
Pakistan, then again, has its again to the wall, having misplaced its opening match to New Zealand and desperately looking for a victory to remain afloat.
As is commonly the case in India-Pakistan encounters, it’s set to be a battle between the previous’s batting would possibly towards the latter’s tempo assault.
Shubman Gill, who scored an unbeaten ton, and skipper Rohit Sharma laid down the marker towards Bangladesh and can look to stay to their aggressive strategy. The workforce may also hope that Virat Kohli can get again among the many runs.
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India, propelled by Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul, did effectively to limit the Tigers to a modest rating, and if the pitch stays as dry because the one used towards Bangladesh, India’s three-pronged spin assault will fancy its possibilities of protecting the Pakistan batters quiet.
The ‘home’ workforce, which in any other case has a dismal report towards its nice rival in ODI matches at ICC occasions, holds a slight edge within the Champions Trophy (3-2).
That, and the recollections of the 2 wins at this venue (in T20Is in 2021 and 2022) are one thing Mohammad Rizwan’s males will search inspiration from.
Pakistan celebrates after beating India within the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Closing at The Kia Oval on June 18, 2017 in London.
| Photograph Credit score:
Getty Pictures
Pakistan celebrates after beating India within the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Closing at The Kia Oval on June 18, 2017 in London.
| Photograph Credit score:
Getty Pictures
Pakistan has points to deal with. Fakhar Zaman is out with an damage and it stays to be seen who from Imam-ul-Haq — who was not initially within the squad — and Usman Khan will take his place.
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Former skipper Babar Azam, who was criticised for his sedate 64 from 90 balls within the failed 321-run chase towards the Kiwis, must step up.
Although the tempo trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah look menacing, the dearth of spin-bowling depth — the one front-line tweaker being Abrar Ahmed — is regarding.
Latest kind and squad depth give Rohit’s males an edge and Rizwan’s troops might want to summon the spirit of the ‘Cornered Tigers’, made well-known by the legendary Imran Khan throughout the march to the 1992 World Cup crown.
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