Dubai, Feb 22 (V7N) – Cricket’s fiercest rivalry is set to reignite as India takes on Pakistan in a crucial ICC Champions Trophy match on Sunday in Dubai.

The much-anticipated clash pits tournament favorites India against a Pakistan side eager to bounce back from an early setback.

India’s Strong Start & Key Players

  • India opened their campaign with a six-wicket win against Bangladesh, powered by Shubman Gill’s century.
  • Their squad remains unchanged, with Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel expected to exploit Dubai’s slow pitch.
  • Harshit Rana was preferred over Arshdeep Singh in the first game and is likely to continue alongside Mohammed Shami in the pace attack.
  • Captain Rohit Sharma and veteran Virat Kohli will be crucial in India’s batting lineup.

Pakistan’s Challenge & Injury Concerns

  • Pakistan suffered a 60-run defeat against New Zealand, exposing batting weaknesses.
  • Opener Fakhar Zaman is ruled out due to a finger injury, with Imam-ul-Haq called in as his replacement.
  • Their pace trio—Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf—remains a key strength, while spinners will play a vital role in Dubai.
  • Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will need to anchor the batting.

Historic Rivalry & Past Encounters

India and Pakistan have had memorable battles in ICC tournaments. While Pakistan famously won the 2017 Champions Trophy final, India has dominated in recent years, winning their last three ODI meetings.

With both teams aiming for victory, the match promises high-intensity cricket and massive fan anticipation worldwide.

END/RH/AJ