Starting next week with the first game pitting Pakistan against New Zealand, the Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin. Although the tournament showcases the top eight ODI teams, the most awaited subcontinent match is the India vs Pakistan contest slated for February 23 in Dubai. This high-stakes competition has added meaning in light of the events that transpired prior to the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Though the BCCI made it known that the Indian team would not go to Pakistan, originally the contest was projected to be held totally in Pakistan. After much deliberation, a hybrid plan where India played all of its game in Dubai was chosen.
This ruling has let down Pakistani cricket supporters who have long awaited seeing an India-Pakistan game at home. Pakistani journalist Farid Khan maintains that fans are increasingly discontent over India’s position. Saying, “Don’t embrace Virat Kohli and other Indian players,” he posted a video showing an enthusiastic Pakistani fan asking Muhammad Rizwan and his colleagues to temporarily put aside their friendship with Indian women.
India has traditionally been superior to Pakistan in ICC tournaments such the Men’s Cricket World Cup and the Men’s T20 World Cup. Still, in the Champions Trophy Pakistan leads slightly with head-to-head meetings 3-2.
Sarfaraz Ahmed&’s squad shocked India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, one of Pakistan&’s most memorable triumphs. Pakistan made necessary adjustments to their roster after a group-stage loss to India; these proved to be turning points.
“Subsequently, after our group phase loss to India, we had a terrific team meeting; several of our older players – Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez – all said their piece.” Those kinds of characters have to be close by you. From then on, we shifted our perspective. The hostility was quite useful to us; Sarfaraz was quoting by the ICC in stating we made a few adjustments to the team that boosted our confidence,”
Given the high level of anxiety and strong emotions, all eyes are on the much-anticipated Dubai match between the two arch-rivals.
