One of the most eagerly anticipated matches in the CC Champions Trophy takes place in Dubai on Sunday and Pakistan are under pressure as they prepare to take on India
This is a Group A match with New Zealand and Bangladesh the other sides in this half of the draw.
Pakistan
Pakistan opened their campaign against New Zealand in Karachi and they were beaten by 60 runs. They won the toss and opted to bowl first but New Zealand had 2 centurions in their ranks and they posted a very healthy 320/5. Naseem Shah returned figures of 2/63, Haris Rauf 2/83 and Abrar Ahmed (1/47) was the most economical.
The run chase was always behind the asking rate and Pakistan were all out for 260 in 47.2 overs. Khushdil Shah in the middle lower order top scored with 69 off 49 and opener Babar Azam made 64. Salman Agha's quick-fire 42 was the only other score of note.
This was how Pakistan lined up against New Zealand in their opening match, note Fakhar Zaman is out of the tournament through injury and Imam-ul-Haq has been called up as a replacement.
Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
India
India came through their opening match against Bangladesh with a comfortable 6 wicket win.
They lost the toss and were invited to bowl first at this venue on Thursday and they quickly had Bangladesh in trouble at 35/5. However Bangladesh fought back and eventually posted 228 all out, using up all bar 2 balls of their 50 overs. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the Indian bowling attack with figures of 5/53 and Harshit Rana came in at 3/31 from 7.4 overs. Axar Patel chipped in with 2/43 off 9.
Rohit (41) and Gill put on 69 fpr the first wicket. Gill went on to finish unbeaten on 101 and India got home in 46.3 overs.
This was how India lined up against Bangladesh on Thursday.
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 135 times in this format with Pakistan winning 73 to India's 57 with 5 no results.
The most recent meeting came in the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad and India coasted to a 7 wicket victory.
The Betting
At the time of writing Pakistan are 1.95/1 to win this match and India can be backed at 4/10
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
India have the advantage of remaining in Dubai whilst Pakistan are under pressure with another defeat here almost likely to end their tournament. Shami was on fire with the ball for India in their opening match and will be a popular choice as top Indian bowler but Axar Patel's price in the same market now catches the eye.
Bet: Top Indian Bowler Axar Patel at 42/10 with Betway
