Champions Trophy: Cricket’s biggest rivalry heats up as Pakistan face India today
by By Sports DeskAll eyes are on Dubai as cricket’s most intense rivalry takes centre stage today (Sunday), with the bitter rivals Pakistan and India set to ignite passion and excitement in today's high-stakes clash of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Fans at home and abroad are exhilarated, with thousands set to pack the Dubai Cricket Stadium and millions more watching from around the world as anticipation soars for what promises to be an electrifying encounter.
Pakistan enters the match in a do-or-die situation after a crushing 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their tournament opener. Their title defense is already in jeopardy, and skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s men will need a dramatic turnaround to keep their campaign alive.
Adding to their woes, opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out due to injury, while batting mainstay Babar Azam has faced criticism for his lack of intent despite scoring a fifty in the last match.
To counter India's strong batting unit, Pakistan will likely rely on their rich legacy of fast bowling. The pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah will be key in their bid to restrict a formidable Indian lineup featuring Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul.
India, who refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy citing government advice, are playing all their matches in Dubai. They kicked off their Group A campaign with a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Even without pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, the Men in Blue looked dominant, with Mohammed Shami leading the bowling attack by claiming five wickets.
The Indian batting unit, spearheaded by the in-form Shubman Gill, who scored a brilliant 101 against Bangladesh, appears well-equipped to handle the Pakistani challenge. India has also dominated the rivalry in recent years, winning seven of the last eight completed ODIs against Pakistan.
Their dominance is well-documented, but Pakistan’s unpredictability in major tournaments cannot be overlooked.
With emotions running high and a packed stadium expected, the clash promises to be nothing short of electrifying. Despite all the pressure, Pakistan’s nation remains hopeful for a striking performance from their team to turn the tables on India.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, while speaking to the media in Dubai, expressed confidence in the team ahead of the high-stakes encounter. He assured fans that the squad was fully prepared and predicted an exciting contest. Acknowledging the ups and downs of the game, Naqvi remained optimistic, stating, "InshaAllah, Pakistan will emerge victorious."
He further emphasised that a win for the national team would be a significant achievement for the country. Naqvi also sent a strong message of support to the players, assuring them that, win or lose, the entire nation stands behind them.
Sources indicate that Pakistan’s team management held a crucial meeting to finalise the playing XI for their high-stakes match against India. According to reports, Babar will open the innings, while Imam-ul-Haq has been included in the squad. The team is expected to field three fast bowlers and one specialist spinner. However, a final decision on including all-rounder Faheem Ashraf will be made before the toss.
The probable XI for Pakistan includes Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf.