A battle between India’s batting might and Pakistan’s pace attack

The 136th ODI between India and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy promises a thrilling clash of cricket titans.

There are many fabled sporting rivalries worldwide, be it between clubs or nation-states. However, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that an India-Pakistan fixture on the cricket field trumps most contests, and continues to be fierce.

On Sunday, the latest instalment of cricket’s ‘El Classico’ — 136th in ODIs — will get under way at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium when the arch-rivals meet in their second Group-A match of the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan, the host, has had to make a short hop to the Arabian peninsula after India’s refusal to play in the former’s home soil.

While the hype and buzz surrounding an India-Pakistan game never seems to subside — kept at fever pitch in no small measure by the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the broadcasters who come up with over-the-top promotions — the action on the field has failed to live up to expectations in recent times.

The Men in Blue have come out on top in five of their last six ODI meetings (the other was a no-result because of rain). The last time Pakistan triumphed was in the 2017 summit clash of this very tournament.

The two outfits will enter the ‘Ring of Fire’ in contrasting frames of mind. Fresh off a convincing win against Bangladesh in the opener, India looks like a well-oiled machine. Pakistan, on the other hand, has its back to the wall, having lost its first match to New Zealand and desperately seeking a victory to stay afloat.

As is often the case in Indo-Pak encounters, this latest instalment is set to be a battle between India’s batting might and Pakistan’s pace attack.