One of the biggest rivalries in cricket returns as India takes on Pakistan in a high-voltage encounter at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The much-anticipated match will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
Match Preview
- India’s Performance: India, led by Rohit Sharma, started their campaign with a dominant six-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
- Pakistan’s Struggle: Hosts Pakistan suffered a 60-run loss to New Zealand in their opening match, making this a must-win game for them to stay in contention for the semi-finals.
- Recent Encounters: India has remained unbeaten against Pakistan in ODIs since 2018 and secured a seven-wicket win in their last 50-over World Cup clash in Ahmedabad in 2023.
- T20 World Cup 2024 Encounter: India and Pakistan last met in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage in New York, where India won by 9 runs, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s 3-14 match-winning spell.
Match Details
- Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM IST (Toss at 2:00 PM IST)
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- Live Streaming & TV Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network and available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
India vs Pakistan: The Greatest Rivalry in Cricket
The India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense in the world. Both teams have passionate fan bases, and every match between them garners millions of viewers worldwide. The political and historical backdrop adds to the significance of the encounters, making it more than just a game of cricket.
In the past, some of the most thrilling contests have occurred between these two cricketing giants, including the 2007 T20 World Cup final, the 2011 World Cup semi-final, and the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head in Champions Trophy
- India last faced Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final in 2017, where Pakistan won their first-ever title.
- However, India holds a psychological advantage, having remained unbeaten in their last six ODI encounters with Pakistan.
Key Players to Watch
India
- Virat Kohli: The chase master and one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time, Kohli has a history of performing exceptionally well against Pakistan.
- Jasprit Bumrah: India’s pace spearhead, who was instrumental in the T20 World Cup 2024 win, will play a key role in breaking Pakistan’s batting lineup.
- Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain’s ability to score big in crucial matches makes him a vital player.
Pakistan
- Babar Azam: One of the world’s most consistent batsmen, Babar will be crucial for Pakistan’s chances.
- Shaheen Afridi: The left-arm pacer is known for his ability to take early wickets, which could trouble India’s top order.
- Mohammad Rizwan: A dependable wicketkeeper-batsman who has been in fine form in recent years.
India vs Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy Squads
India Squad:
- Captain: Rohit Sharma
- Vice-Captain: Shubman Gill
- Players: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pakistan Squad:
- Captain: Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Vice-Captain: Salman Ali Agha
- Players: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Match Strategy & Predictions
India’s Strategy
India is expected to rely on its strong batting lineup to put up a challenging score. The team may also look to take early wickets using its pace attack, followed by spinners controlling the middle overs.
Pakistan’s Strategy
Pakistan will depend on its fast bowlers to make early inroads into the Indian batting order. Their middle-order needs to fire if they want to put up a competitive score.
Prediction & What to Expect
This encounter is expected to be a thrilling contest between India’s strong batting lineup and Pakistan’s lethal bowling attack. With a semi-final berth at stake for both teams, fans can expect high-intensity cricket in Dubai.
Final Thoughts
The India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 match is set to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Will India continue its dominance, or will Pakistan bounce back? Stay tuned for the action-packed showdown!
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