Synopsis
India and Pakistan are set for an exciting ICC Champions Trophy battle in Dubai. This match is crucial for both teams' chances of advancing, with India seeking a semifinal berth and Pakistan aiming for knockout stage survival. The historic rivalry is rich with memorable encounters worth revisiting.Key Takeaways
- India vs Pakistan rivalry is one of the fiercest in cricket.
- Recent matches have showcased thrilling performances from both sides.
- The 2023 ODI World Cup and Asia Cup matches were particularly memorable.
- Big individual contributions have defined key matches.
- Pakistan's 2017 Champions Trophy win marked a historic moment.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) India and Pakistan are poised for yet another thrilling encounter when they face off in the ICC Champions Trophy at Dubai International Stadium this Sunday. This match is vital for both teams – a victory for India will bring them closer to the semifinals, while a win for Pakistan will keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive.
Let's revisit some unforgettable matchups between these fierce rivals:
2023 ODI World Cup
In a series of exhilarating contests in the white-ball format, the latest 50-over match took place during the 2023 ODI World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, won the toss and opted to field first.
The Indian fast bowlers, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, who made his return to international cricket just ahead of the World Cup after a long injury layoff, alongside Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya, executed their captain's strategy flawlessly. They each took two wickets as they dismissed the visitors for a mere 191 runs. The Indian spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with four wickets between them.
In response, Rohit led the charge with a blistering 86 runs off 36 balls, featuring six sixes and an equal number of fours, while Shreyas Iyer remained not out at 53, guiding India to victory in just 30.3 overs. India won by seven wickets, with Bumrah earning the Player of the Match title for his impressive figures of 2-19.
2023 Asia Cup (Super Four)
Another memorable clash unfolded in Colombo during the 2023 Asia Cup Super Four, occurring less than a month prior to their ODI World Cup showdown in Ahmedabad.
Meeting Pakistan for the second time in the tournament after their earlier match was disrupted by rain, India was asked to bat first by the team led by Babar Azam. Captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set the stage with a strong 122-run opening partnership. However, after both openers reached half-centuries, Shaheen Shah Afridi quickly dismissed them, putting India under pressure.
On the reserve day, thanks to rain, Virat Kohli and K.L. Rahul achieved an extraordinary feat, establishing the highest-ever ODI partnership in India vs Pakistan matches. The duo scored an unbeaten 233 runs, surpassing the previous record of 231 runs set by Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Singh Sidhu against Pakistan.
Kohli scored an impressive 122 off 94 balls, including three sixes and nine fours, while Rahul added an unbeaten 111 with two sixes and 12 fours, propelling India to a total of 356/2 in 50 overs.
In response, the Pakistani batting lineup crumbled against the Indian bowlers, with Kuldeep Yadav taking five wickets to dismiss the opponents for just 128 runs in 32 overs, resulting in a commanding 228-run victory for India – their largest win against Pakistan by runs. Kohli was acknowledged as the Player of the Match for his stellar performance.
2019 ODI World Cup
This wasn't the only defeat for Pakistan in their storied rivalry with India. During the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, Pakistan faced another loss in Manchester as the Indian team, captained by M.S. Dhoni, won comfortably by 89 runs via the DLS method. Invited to bat first, K.L. Rahul and Rohit Sharma laid a solid foundation with a 136-run opening stand. Rahul scored 57 runs, while Rohit dominated with 140 runs, including 14 fours and three sixes.
Virat Kohli also contributed with 77 runs, helping India post a total of 336/5 at Old Trafford.
In reply, opener Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam tried to stabilize the innings after Imam-ul-Haq fell early. The pair added 104 runs for the second wicket before Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Babar for 48. Kuldeep followed up by taking out Fakhar (62) in his next over, while Hardik Pandya claimed the wickets of Mohammad Hafeez (9) and Shoaib Malik for a golden duck, severely denting Pakistan's chances of winning in the rain-affected match.
Due to the rain interruptions, Pakistan was set a target of 302 runs to chase in just 40 overs. Ultimately, Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 46 and Shadab Khan’s 20 came up short.
2017 Champions Trophy Final
After losing the group stage match, Pakistan faced India for the first time in a final in 10 years, since the 2007 T20 World Cup final, at The Oval. The Indian team, under Virat Kohli, won the toss and elected to field, a decision that would cost them as they missed out on their second Champions Trophy title.
Openers Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman built a strong 128-run opening partnership before Jasprit Bumrah provided the initial breakthrough. Azhar scored 59 runs before Babar Azam joined Fakhar, and they added 72 runs for the second wicket, with Fakhar taking the lead until Hardik Pandya dismissed him in the 34th over. Fakhar scored 114 runs, including three sixes and 12 fours, while Shoaib Malik contributed a low score of 12. Mohammad Hafeez scored a brisk half-century, finishing with 57 not out, and Babar added 46 to help Pakistan set a total of 338/4 in 50 overs.
India's response to this imposing total fell flat as they lost opener Rohit Sharma for a duck on the third ball of the innings, followed by captain Virat Kohli (5), both falling to Mohammad Amir. Shikhar Dhawan became Amir's third victim, leaving India's hopes resting on the shoulders of veteran players Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni. Unfortunately, both batters fell cheaply, and India found themselves at 54/5 within 13.3 overs.
Hardik Pandya showed some fight in the lower middle order, scoring 76 runs off 43 balls, including six sixes and four fours, but ultimately, it was in vain as India was bowled out for 158, handing Pakistan a resounding 180-run victory and their first Champions Trophy title.
