Cricket poet, Dubai
AFPThe last time India and Pakistan clashed in a major ICC 50-over contest was in 2023, at the highly anticipated World Cup league match in Ahmedabad.
As a challenge, it turned out to be a bit of an anti-climax- India, in strong form, easily chased down a bad Pakistan goal, securing a resounding victory.
And as Muslim fans didn’t getting visas to travel to India, aside from the baseball team, the country’s even distinctive appearance was in the media center.
The ICC Champions Trophy match between the archrivals at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday claims to have a completely unique environment.
A vibrant and well-represented crowd from both countries is almost certain to be present in the UAE, which is in addition to the over 3.7 million Indians and nearly 1.7 million Pakistanis, according to the International Cricket Council ( ICC).
But is a sea of green colors in the holds inspire Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan’s people to defy the odds in this must-win fight against Rohit Sharma’s India?
Pakistan may take comfort in their powerful head-to-head history in UAE- 19 wins in 28 OD Is, plus a wayward T20I success in the 2021 World Cup in Dubai.
Getty ImagesMost of Pakistan’s win against India came at Sharjah during their strong work in the 1980s and ‘ 90s, winning 18 of 24 games it.
In Dubai, India beat them thrice in the 2018 Asia Cup, while both teams won a match each in a 2006 Abu Dhabi line.
Since Pakistan’s splendor time in Sharjah, the sea has shifted- apart from the occasional T20I win, India has mainly dominated in the new millennium.
Ayaz Memon, a senior baseball writer, believes there is no justification for looking at India-Pakistan matches in the UAE through the lens of the history.
There is no denying that Pakistan enjoyed enormous masses support during the Sharjah era, with the local Pathan people accounting for the majority of the population. However, the staff then boasted of the likes of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Saeed Anwar, Aamer Sohail and the two Ws]Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis],” Memon says.
Compare that to the latest team’s state, which occasionally produces exceptional results but lacks any type of consistency.
AFPThere are no pleasant flags at the airports, just the showy, ever-expanding United Arab Emirates city-state of Dubai, which hints at a big baseball event.
Instead, hoardings of Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and company dominate, as the city is in full swing for the annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Head south, and the ‘Ring of Fire’ at Dubai International Stadium emerges from the highway, signalling cricket’s presence.
All eye will be on Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Rizwan’s team for the next two weeks as fans around the world await their tragedy. All the while are thronging the area with gloomy images of all eight officers.
It’s no secret that the ICC continuously places India and Pakistan in the same class for major tournaments, catering to presenters and advertising needs. This results in at least one high-stakes group game, with the potential for a blockbuster championship in the knockouts.
The India-Pakistan conflict continues to be its biggest box office pull at a time when bowling is facing exposed and the international framework is threatened by the increase of T20 franchise leagues.
AFPA small blunders may cost even the heavyweights, which is a big plus of the small, top-eight group format of the ICC Champions Trophy.
With ten games in the mix,” The 50-over World Cup gives you a chance to take up even if you slip in the strange game.” India commander Sharma said on the day of their opening game against Bangladesh that it’s much different because all three of your party games are crucial for reaching the semi-finals.
India cleared their first hurdle with a six-wicket win against Bangladesh on Thursday, powered by Shubman Gill’s classy century (cementing his status as a future ODI captain), Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul and a quickfire cameo from skipper Sharma, who crossed the 11,000-run mark in the format.
Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, which was anticipated as he recovered from a back spasm sustained in the final Test in Australia, continues to be a hot topic. However, on this wicket, the spotlight is set to shift to the spinners.
Pakistan’s lead-up to the tournament has been a rollercoaster- both unpredictable and vulnerable. Their final three ODIs perfectly capture the picture.
Getty ImagesTen days ago, Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s stunning 260-run stand powered Pakistan to a record 353-run chase against South Africa in Karachi, securing a spot in the Tri-series final.
But just two days later, they faltered, looking ordinary as New Zealand cruised to a five-wicket win, denying them a confidence boosting title ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Then on Wednesday, after their bowlers made early inroads, they let the Kiwis off the hook, eventually crashing to a 60-run defeat in their tournament opener.
This has caused them to face the wall in advance of the big game, and Rizwan’s statement that they will view the India game as” just another game” has irked former Pakistan greats.
History shows that Pakistan thrives in such situations, echoing Imran Khan’s legendary” caged tigers “rallying cry from their triumphant 1992 World Cup campaign.
Yes, the odds favour India, but Pakistan can never be written off on UAE soil. After all, it’s a new day, a fresh battle, and anything can happen in a big game.