Pakistan And India The Biggest Cricket Rivals Will Face Off On Sunday

The neighboring countries only face each other in multinational competitions due to political tensions, and this match is taking place in Dubai at a time when India has refused to travel to Pakistan, the host country of the tournament.

The 25,000-capacity Dubai International Stadium is expected to be packed, with millions more glued to their television sets to watch the match.

New Zealand vs Pakistan match, Pakistan team was defeated by New Zealand by 60 runs in the opening match in Karachi and will realistically have to beat favorites India to make it to the semi-finals of the eight-nation tournament.

New Zealand top Group A, ahead of India, who defeated Bangladesh by six wickets on Thursday – while Pakistan is fourth and last in the group.

The top two teams from each of the two groups will advance to the semi-finals.

Pakistani batsman Salman Ali Agha said, “If we want to win against the great teams in the world and become one of the great teams in the world, we have to bring consistency. It’s not that we play well in one match and badly in another.”

India started their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a bang, while Pakistan suffered a defeat to New Zealand in the opening match. Shubman Gill and Mohammed Shami played a key role in India’s victory, while Pakistan faced several problems, especially the injury of key player Fakhar Zaman, which was a major setback for the team.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s slow innings against New Zealand has been heavily criticised, while Fakhar Zaman’s absence has further troubled the batting line-up. On the other hand, the fast bowling trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also looked ineffective in the match played in Lahore.

Both teams know that this match will be a fresh start on Sunday. India needs another win to almost guarantee a place in the semi-finals, while Pakistan will have to win this match at all costs to stay in the event.

India Pakistan cricket rivalry when it comes to World Cup competitions, India has an impressive 8-0 record against Pakistan, but Pakistan has an edge over India in the Champions Trophy.

Historic encounters between Pakistan and India in the Champions Trophy:

2004 (England, Birmingham):

Pakistan defeated India in a thrilling match in the first Champions Trophy match. The Indian team could only score 200 runs, which Pakistan achieved thanks to the brilliant batting of Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

 2009 (South Africa, Centurion):

Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik played a brilliant innings of 128 runs as Pakistan set a target of 302 runs against India. India lost the match by 54 runs, while Mohammad Yousuf’s 87 runs also proved to be key in Pakistan’s victory.

 2013 (England, Birmingham):

This time India defeated Pakistan. Pakistan’s batting was a complete failure and the team was bundled out for 165 runs. Due to rain, India was given a target of 102 runs in 22 overs, which they achieved easily through the brilliant batting of Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli.

 2017 (Group Stage, England):

India defeated Pakistan in this match. Rohit Sharma (91) and Virat Kohli (81) batted well as India posted a huge score of 319 runs. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 164 runs and India won by 124 runs.

 2017 (Final, England, The Oval):

It was a memorable match in which Pakistan won the Champions Trophy 2017 for the first time by defeating India in a historic match. Fakhar Zaman played a brilliant innings of 114 runs, while Mohammad Amir scattered the Indian batting line. India was bowled out for 158 runs and Pakistan won by 180 runs.