Dubai is buzzing with excitement as Pakistan and India prepare for a thrilling encounter in the ICC Champions Trophy. With fans eagerly awaiting the action, the Dubai Cricket Stadium is set to witness another chapter in one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.
Pakistan enters the match under immense pressure after suffering a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening game. Their hopes of advancing in the tournament now rest on securing a crucial victory. However, setbacks continue to challenge the team, with opener Fakhar Zaman ruled out due to injury and Babar Azam facing scrutiny for his cautious approach in the previous match.
To counter India’s formidable batting lineup, Pakistan will rely on their pace attack, spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. The trio will need to step up against a strong Indian batting order featuring Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul.
India, playing all their matches in Dubai due to travel restrictions, started their campaign with a dominant six-wicket win over Bangladesh. Despite missing key pacer Jasprit Bumrah, they looked sharp with Mohammed Shami leading the bowling attack, claiming five wickets.
Shubman Gill’s impressive century against Bangladesh highlights India’s batting strength, and with recent history favoring them—having won seven of the last eight ODIs against Pakistan—they enter the match as clear favorites. However, Pakistan’s unpredictability in high-pressure games keeps the contest wide open.
As the players take the field, emotions are running high, and a packed stadium is expected to create an electric atmosphere. Fans remain hopeful that Pakistan can deliver a spirited performance to turn the tide against their arch-rivals.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed confidence in the team’s ability to rise to the occasion, assuring fans that the squad is prepared for the challenge. He emphasized that regardless of the outcome, the entire nation stands firmly behind the team.
Squads
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
