Defending champions and tournament hosts Pakistan are set to face arch-rivals India in what promises to be the most anticipated match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai today.
Pakistan’s campaign began on a challenging note, suffering a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening match in Karachi. The loss leaves Pakistan facing the possibility of an early exit from the tournament.
Compounding their worries, opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury, with Imam-ul-Haq named as his replacement. This injury forces Pakistan to make at least one change for the high-stakes clash with India, with a choice between Imam and Usman Khan, who is yet to make his ODI debut.
For today’s match, Pakistan is expected to make two changes to their playing XI, bringing in Imam-ul-Haq and middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam as the participation of Usman remains uncertain due to poor form.
Imam is likely to open the innings alongside captain Babar Azam, with Saud Shakeel slotting in at number three. Meanwhile, middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir is expected to be left out, making way for Ghulam.
In terms of bowling, Pakistan is expected to retain their attack, featuring pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, along with the sole spinner Abrar Ahmed.
India, on the other hand, is unlikely to make any changes following their dominant win over Bangladesh in their opening match. However, if changes are required, spinner Varun Chakravarthy may replace Kuldeep Yadav in the final XI.
Historically, India and Pakistan have met five times in the Champions Trophy, with Pakistan leading 3-2 in head-to-head encounters. Their most recent clash came in the 2017 final, where Pakistan triumphed over India by a commanding 180-run margin to claim their maiden Champions Trophy title.
Overall, India and Pakistan have faced each other 135 times in ODIs. India has won 57 of these encounters, while Pakistan has secured 73 victories. Five matches ended without a result.
Pakistan’s likely playing XI:
Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
India’s likely playing XI
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav
