India and Pakistan will renew their storied rivalry on Sunday when they meet in a crucial Champions Trophy encounter at the Dubai International Stadium.
While Pakistan aims to keep its title defence alive, India will seek to consolidate its place in the semi-finals and avenge its 2017 final defeat.
With Pakistan leading India 3-2 in their Champions Trophy encounters, the match holds immense significance. The 2017 final, which saw Pakistan cruise to a 180-run victory, remains fresh in the memory of fans on both sides.
That loss had come despite former captain Virat Kohli being at the peak of his form, making Sunday's contest all the more compelling.
Pakistan head into the match after a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their tournament opener.
Issues in both batting and bowling were evident, with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah struggling for early breakthroughs and the middle order failing to forge partnerships.
Fakhar Zaman, the hero of Pakistan’s 2017 triumph, has been ruled out due to injury, further denting the defending champions' prospects.
Also read: Kohli’s struggles amplified by 'trying too hard': Kumble
India, by contrast, began their campaign with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
Despite reducing their opponents to 35/5, India allowed a 154-run partnership between Jaker Ali and Towhid Hridoy, enabling Bangladesh to post a respectable 228.
India's chase was not without hiccups either, as leg-spinner Rishad Hossain tested their middle order, with Virat Kohli particularly struggling, managing only 22 off 38 balls.
Sunday’s clash is expected to be a stern test for India’s batting against Pakistan’s potent pace attack, comprising Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, along with the spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Salman Agha.
The absence of Jasprit Bumrah from India's fast-bowling department could prove an added advantage for Pakistan, with the relatively inexperienced Harshit Rana and the returning veteran Mohammed Shami leading the attack.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Also read: Shami, Gill shine as India beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets
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