New Delhi: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will reignite their rivalry in a mother of all battles when they face off in a mouth-watering clash in Dubai in the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday, February 23. Pakistan is in a do-or-die situation heading into the clash, as a defeat against India will all but end their hopes of staying alive in the competition.
Pakistan will be hoping to give their all in a bid to see another day in the multi-nation tournament after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of New Zealand in their opening game in Karachi on Wednesday. Mohammad Rizwan & Co. failed to chase down a target of 321 runs to suffer a 60-run defeat against New Zealand and are currently at the bottom of the Group A table with a negative net run rate.
While players from both sides have downplayed the pressure calling it ‘just another clash’, there is a lot at stake for both India and Pakistan even beyond the fierce rivalry between the two teams. For Pakistan, the equation is simple and so is it for India, who would want to virtually seal a spot in the semi-finals with a victory in Dubai on Sunday.
India might be the strongest team on paper and favourites against a rattled Pakistan but it will take nothing less than a herculean effort from Rohit Sharma’s men to come out on top in the high-pressure clash. Pakistan are wounded and can spring a surprise against India with their unpredictability factor and a better understanding of the conditions in Dubai.
3 reasons why Pakistan can beat India in Champions Trophy 2025 clash:
1) Pakistan’s pace attack can trouble India’s top-order
Pakistan’s pace attack might not have fired as a unit for a while now but it is one of the best in the world at present. Pakistani trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf can trouble the Indian batters with the new ball. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have struggled against left-arm pacers with the new ball and Shaheen can exploit their weaknesses.
Naseem has not looked in the best of rhythm but Rauf can rattle the Indian batters with his pace. India’s top order will have to weather the storm in the Powerplay and ensure they don’t give away easy wickets to have an edge over Pakistan in the high-profile clash.
2) Pakistan aware of the conditions in Dubai
Pakistan will also look to make the most of the conditions in Dubai which they will be familiar with having played a lot at the venue over the years. Dubai used to be Pakistan’s second home ground when the majority of international teams were not playing in Pakistan. Pakistan have played 22 ODIs and 32 T20Is in Dubai and are well aware of the conditions at the venue.
While Pakistan’s ODI record in Dubai is far from impressive with 8 wins and 13 defeats from 21 matches, they would look to utilise their experience of playing extensively at the venue against India. Pakistan’s only T20 World Cup victory against India also came in Dubai thus the Men in Blue will have to be Rizwan & Co. on Sunday.
3) India’s pace attack heavily reliant on Mohammed Shami
India too have a strong pace attack on paper but in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, their fast-bowling unit is heavily reliant on Mohammed Shami. Shami delivered an impressive performance in India’s opener against Bangladesh where he bagged a fifer. However, if Shami has an off day, India’s bowling woes might be left exposed against Pakistan.
In such a scenario, India will need their spinners to step up which they have in recent times. However, Kuldeep Yadav went wicket-less against Bangladesh and looked far from his best. Indian bowlers will have to deliver a unit if the Men in Blue are to fancy their chances of beating Pakistan in the all-important clash on Sunday.
Pakistan can spring a surprise in the must-win clash against India in Dubai in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday. Pakistan will look to give their all in a bid to live another day in the tournament. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
