DUBAI: The stage is set for one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. India and Pakistan square off in a high-stakes Group A encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. With memories of their 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final defeat still fresh, India will be eager to settle the score and continue their dominant white-ball form.

The last time these two teams met in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan pulled off a stunning upset, crushing India by 180 runs. Chasing 338, India’s batting lineup—led by then-captain Virat Kohli—crumbled for 158, while Fakhar Zaman’s century powered Pakistan to victory. For the Indian players who endured that heartbreak, Sunday presents a golden opportunity for revenge.

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry dates back to 1952; over the decades, it has only grown in intensity. Their last 50-over clash came in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, where India secured a seven-wicket win. They also edged Pakistan by six runs in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, further solidifying their dominance in recent years.

For Pakistan, Sunday’s match is do-or-die. After a crushing loss to New Zealand in their opening game, a defeat against India would put their semi-final hopes in serious jeopardy. With Fakhar Zaman missing, Pakistan’s batting unit will need to step up to avoid an early exit from their home tournament.

Squads

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, 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