Pakistan and India prepare blockbuster showdown: Champion Trophy 2025

 

In their crucial Champions Trophy match on Sunday, Pakistan coach Aaqib Javed claims that his fast bowlers are "match-winners" and will pull something special against India. To maintain their own chances of reaching the semifinals, hosts and defending champions Pakistan must win the epic matchup with India in Dubai. In their combined 30 overs, Pakistan's fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf gave up 214 runs, which contributed to New Zealand's total of 320. However, according to Aaqib, the trio will rise to the occasion. Aaqib told reporters on Saturday, "We have three specialists and I would say one of the best pace bowling options in today's game with Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris." 

The current attack, according to the former seam bowler, reminds him of one from the 1990s, when Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Aaqib took over after the great Imran Khan retired. “They still have time to reach that level, but they have all the ability to repeat those sort of performances,” said Aaqib.  "It is a special feeling when you play India, and I think they will bring something special tomorrow," "Our fast bowling options are good and they are match-winners," he continued.

Bilateral cricket ties are frozen between the two rival nations due to political tensions and they only play each other in multination events

 Aaqib claims that pressure produces champions, and Pakistan, who defeated India in the previous Champions Trophy final in 2017, have flown in from Karachi for their must-win match. Aaqib stated, "There is no game you play without pressure." “Between India and Pakistan, it doesn’t matter it’s a knock-out or whatever.  It transcends the game. "If you look at the positive, it's the best time and best chance for any individual or team to make a mark," Aaqib stated. Passion and pressure is what a player needs to showcase his game.”

 Pakistan hype doesn’t change anything for India

 The eagerly anticipated match, according to India vice captain Shubman Gill, is a fan favorite, but for his team, it's business as usual, he said. Gill scored an unbeaten 101 at the top of the order as India defeated Bangladesh in their first match, and he promised that the team would try to continue winning.

When the Asian superpowers square off in a cricket match, millions of viewers tune in, generating significant revenue for broadcasters. Streets are deserted in India and Pakistan when the two play each other and Gill said he cannot deny the excitement among the fans.

 According to Gill, "India-Pakistan has a long history, and it's a very exciting contest when both teams play." “Everyone enjoys watching it.  Who are we to determine whether this match is under-hyped or over-hyped if so many people are enjoying it? He continued, "We play cricket outside." We try our hardest to win and to represent our nation. At the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, the rivals last played in a one-day match, with India winning by seven wickets. India know a victory will put them in sight of the semifinals, while Pakistan are playing for survival in the tournament.

 India is second in Group A, but New Zealand has a better run-rate. Pakistan is last in the group, ranking fourth. The semifinals are decided by the top two teams from each group. Gill responded, "It is a big match," when further questioned regarding the magnitude of the contest. However, I believe the team's finals will undoubtedly be the most important match. We have also unquestionably been playing good ODI cricket.

Gill said that despite some poor results and inconsistent play, Pakistan is still a dangerous team. Gill stated, "Pakistan has unfortunately lost some matches recently." "However, we will in no way treat them as a lesser side." They have got a good side and it is important for us to bring our A-game tomorrow.”

 In the 50-over format, Gill has been in top form. On Thursday, he scored his second ODI century in a row after contributing significantly to India's recent 3-0 victory over England. Rishabh Pant, the backup wicketkeeper, did not practice on the day before the match against Pakistan, and Gill said he has "viral fever."

On Saturday, Pakistan coach Aqib Javed said that his fast bowlers were "match-winners" and would do something special against India, their archrival, in the crucial Champions Trophy matchup. To maintain their own chances of reaching the semi-finals, hosts and defending champions Pakistan must win their epic matchup with India on Sunday in Dubai. Pakistan is last in Group A after losing to New Zealand in the first match of the 50-over tournament. India beat Bangladesh in their first match.

 Pakistani fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf leaked 214 runs in their 30 overs combined in New Zealand’s total of 320.

 But Aqib said the trio will rise to the occasion.  “We have three specialists and I would say one of the best pace bowling options in today’s game with Shaheen, Naseem and Haris,” Aqib told reporters.

 The former seam bowler said the current attack reminds him of that from the 1990s, when Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Aqib stepped up after the retirement of the great Imran Khan.

 Aqib stated, "They still have time to reach that level, but they have every ability to repeat those kinds of performances." "It is a special feeling when you play India, and I think they will bring something special tomorrow," "Our fast bowling options are good and they are match-winners," he continued. Bilateral cricket ties are frozen between the two rival nations due to political tensions and they only play each other in multi-nation events.

 India refused to tour Pakistan for this eight-nation tournament and will play all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium, which is expected to be full for the high-profile game.

 Pakistan, who hammered India in the last Champions Trophy final in 2017, have flown in from Karachi for their must-win clash and Aqib says pressure produces champions.

 “There is no game you play without pressure,” Aqib said.  “Between India and Pakistan, it doesn’t matter it’s a knock-out or whatever.  It transcends the game. Aqib said: “If you look at the positive, it’s the best time and best chance for any individual or a team to make a mark.  Passion and pressure are what a player needs to showcase his game.”

 The top two teams from each of the two groups make the semi-finals.

It doesn't get much bigger in the cricket world than this. ⭐

 The rivalry between India and Pakistan, which began in 1952, has not only endured but also continues to expand and change. These South Asian nations find another gear when they meet.

 Given that their most recent 50-over encounter was in 2023 at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, India prevailed by seven wickets, anticipation for this match has reached fever pitch. The two sides also met at last year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where India prevailed by just six runs.

 It’s reached the point of desperation already for Pakistan, who simply need to win if they’re any chance of progressing to the semi-finals in their home tournament.

Squads:

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, 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

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

Current form: Pakistan's recent ODI performance appears match-dependent. There’s no denying that New Zealand have the wood over them, having already beaten them three times in 2025, including in the tournament opener.  But Pakistan also beat powerhouse South Africa in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, which follows up their 3-0 ODI series sweep of the Proteas in December last year.

 India: They’re eight wins from nine games in white-ball cricket this calendar year so far, and unbeaten from four in ODIs.  India defeated Bangladesh in their first tournament matchup after dominating England 3-0 heading into the Champions Trophy. They have demonstrated that they are able to compete with anyone despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

Participants in focus: Pakistan: Babar Azam

 The star shotmaker recently lost his status as the game’s No.1 Men’s ODI batter, to the player listed directly below in this match preview.  By Babar's lofty standards, 2024 was a lean year, but could his 64 against the Kiwis the other day be the confidence-boosting knock that returns him to world-beating form? Babar will have a point to prove and looms as a crucial wicket for India to focus on. India: Shubman Gill

 There’s nothing controversial about this pick, after his recent ODI exploits.  Shubman Gill is the ICC Men's top One-Day International batter, surpassing Babar in the lead-up to the tournament. Given his century in India's first Champions Trophy match, he is on track to further separate himself from the pack. Pakistan will be strategizing, plotting, wishing, and praying to get rid of India's 25-year-old opener.

How to watch:

 India: JioStar (live streaming on Jio Hotstar, coverage of 18 channels of Star and Network) Pakistan has PTV and Ten Sports, and Myco and the Tamasha app offer streaming options. UAE and MENA: CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, Streaming option: STARZPLAY

 Live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, and Sky Sports Action in the United Kingdom; digital coverage on SkyGO, NOW, and the Sky Sports App. USA and Canada: WillowTV, Streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available)

 Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean on television and streaming through the ESPN Play Caribbean app Australia: PrimeVideo (coverage available in Hindi too)

 New Zealand: digital coverage via the SkyGo app and Now, as well as Sky Sport NZ. South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App

 Bangladesh: Nagorik TV and T Sports for linear broadcast, digital via Toffee app

 ATN, Afghanistan Sri Lanka: Digital via Sirasa and Maharaja TV (TV1 on linear). In some regions, the games can also be viewed on ICC.tv.