India-Pakistan clashes have always carried a bigger picture in the backdrop. Politics has fuelled this rivalry from the start, but none of the recent games has carried a more complex subplot than this one. The recent escalation between the two countries following the Pahalgam attack has reignited the tensions, which has led to several quarters in India calling for the boycott of the contest. But the game, now a few hours away, has survived every objection so far.
Pakistan and India will meet in Dubai, the same venue where Pakistan beat India for the first time in an ICC event in 2021. They followed that up with another win in the previous T20 format Asia Cup, but their more recent meeting in the Champions Trophy erased those memories with a one-sided five-wicket defeat orchestrated by a Virat Kohli hundred. But that is all in the past now. There is no Kohli this time, and several other big names are also absent, most notably Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been rested, and India’s Rohit Sharma, who has retired from the format.
This means there are new faces on both sides, even if they are not new to the fervour surrounding this clash. Many deny being affected by the pressure this contest brings, but it is impossible not to be swept up in the noise, which has doubled this time.
Team Overview:
India decided they needed Sanju Samson in the eleven, even if that meant he played at an unnatural spot in the middle order. The much-debated No. 8 spot was filled by Shivam Dube, who, although he did not get to prove himself with the bat, did an impressive job with the ball, taking 3 wickets in two overs.
They also left out Arshdeep Singh, their highest wicket-taker in T20Is, to play both Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav together. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said they would make the same decision again if Dubai dishes out a spin track on Sunday. That seems fair as well when viewed in the light that Dube and Hardik Pandya fit the part-time seam-bowling option template quite decently.
Pakistan put their trust in a fast-bowling all-rounder the same way, but their returns were far from equal to India’s. Faheem Ashraf has been a point of debate in Pakistan cricket ever since Mike Hesson decided to groom all-rounders to deepen the batting lineup. He was made part of the playing XI against Oman in place of a genuine pace option, Haris Rauf. And while he did take a couple of scalps, whether Pakistan repeat the same move against India lies in quite uncharted territory. However, one thing that has been set in stone for them, at least for this game, is to utilise Mohammad Haris at his natural spot, that is No. 3, rather than sending him late. Haris paid off the trust against Oman by going full throttle on a slightly two-paced Dubai surface.
Head-to-Head Matches:
India and Pakistan have played just 13 T20I games against each other, out of which India have won 10.
Weather and Pitch Report:
Both Pakistan and India have played a game each in Dubai this tournament, and have seen how the surface has favoured bowlers openly. The track had variable bounce with a few bare patches in both games, making it difficult to read the delivery.
Prediction:
It is going to be a close game, though India have form and history favouring them.
Where to Watch:
Pakistan: PTV Sports, Tapmad, Myco
India: Sony Sports Network, Sony Liv app
UAE and MENA: CricLife Max via eLife TV and Switch TV, StarzPlay
Australia: Kayo Sports
Bangladesh: Gazi TV, Toffee, Tapmad
