Cricket's fiercest rivalry returns in desert as India face Pakistan today

DUBAI, Feb 22 (Agencies): The lop-sided nature of arguably cricket's fiercest rivalry in recent years notwithstanding, emotions in both countries will run high when bitter neighbours India and Pakistan clash in a Champions Trophy blockbuster in Dubai on Sunday.

Sunday's ICC Champions Trophy clash between the arch-rivals at Dubai International Stadium promises a vastly different atmosphere.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) reported that tickets sold out within minutes - and with the UAE hosting more than 3.7 million Indians and nearly 1.7 million Pakistanis, a vibrant and well-represented crowd from both nations is all but guaranteed.

India prevailed in seven of the eight completed ODIs in the last decade against rivals they play only in multi-team events because of a strained political relationship between the two countries.

India, who refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy citing government advice, will be playing all their matches in Dubai and kicked off their Group A campaign with a six-wicket victory against Bangladesh.

Pakistan's title defence, meanwhile, look in disarray after their comprehensive defeat by New Zealand and the team led by Mohammed Rizwan need a drastic turnaround against Rohit Sharma's India.

Hype has built around the match but India vice captain Shubman Gill sought to underplay it.

"It doesn't change anything for us, honestly," the opener, who smashed a match-winning hundred against Bangladesh, told reporters on Saturday.

"We play every match to win the match and this is no different for us."

"India-Pakistan has a long history. It's an exciting contest when both these teams play. Everyone enjoys watching it."

India arrived without Jasprit Bumrah but did not miss their pace spearhead as Mohammed Shami claimed five wickets against Bangladesh.

Pakistan's batting mainstay Babar Azam drew flak for lacking intent even though he managed a fifty against New Zealand.

Fellow opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering an during that match.

"It is a big match, but I think the biggest match would obviously be the final," Gill said.

"By no means we are going to take them as a lesser side. I think they have got a good side and it is important for us to bring our A game tomorrow."

Pakistan can take comfort in their strong head-to-head record in UAE - 19 wins in 28 ODIs, plus a lone T20I victory in the 2021 World Cup in Dubai.

Most of Pakistan's wins against India came at Sharjah during their dominant run in the 1980s and '90s, winning 18 of 24 games there.

In Dubai, India beat them twice in the 2018 Asia Cup, while both teams won a game each in a 2006 Abu Dhabi series.

Since Pakistan's glory days in Sharjah, the tide has shifted - apart from the occasional T20I win, India has largely dominated in the new millennium.

It's no secret that catering to broadcasters and marketing demands, the ICC consistently places India and Pakistan in the same group for major tournaments. This ensures at least one high-stakes league clash, with the potential for a blockbuster rematch in the knockouts.

At a time when cricket faces overexposure and its international structure is threatened by the rise of T20 franchise leagues, the India-Pakistan rivalry remains its biggest box-office draw.

India started their campaign with a six-wicket win against Bangladesh, riding on Shubman Gill's century. They have been one of the most consistent teams in global tournaments, and they enter this match in strong form, having recently dominated England in a home series.

Their squad remained unchanged from the opening game, with the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel expected to play a key role on Dubai's slow surface.

In the pace department, Harshit Rana was preferred over Arshdeep Singh to partner Mohammed Shami in the first game, and India is likely to retain the same combination.

India's ODI form has been solid, winning four of their last five matches. Captain Rohit Sharma will look to lead from the front, while Virat Kohli's experience in high-pressure games makes him a key figure in the batting lineup.