The collage of image reveals India’s opening batter Abhishek Sharma and Pakistan’s spinner Sufyan Moqim. — X
DUBAI: The stage is ready for an additional blockbuster conflict as Pakistan and India face off this Sunday on the iconic Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium.
This historic rivalry, steeped in drama and unforgettable moments, guarantees followers one more thrilling spectacle.
India holds a dominant edge in T20Is, successful 10 out of 13 clashes in opposition to Pakistan.
Their most up-to-date assembly got here throughout the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, the place Rohit Sharma’s males edged previous Babar Azam’s aspect in a low-scoring thriller.
Cricket lovers now eagerly await mouth-watering matchups: Fakhar Zaman’s fearless batting in opposition to Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery tempo, Abrar Ahmed’s artful spin versus Shubman Gill’s magnificence, and younger Sufyan Moqim’s guile in opposition to the explosive Abhishek Sharma.
Sufyan’s dominance or Abhishek’s redemption
The stage is ready for some of the thrilling rivalries in current Asia Cup historical past — spinner Sufyan versus top-order batter Abhishek Sharma.
Their fiery battle first ignited within the Rising Asia Cup 2023 closing, when Sufiyan dismissed Abhishek after he had scored 61 throughout India’s failed chase of Pakistan’s mammoth 353-run complete.
A yr later, sparks flew once more within the ACC Rising Asia T20 Cup, the place Sufiyan as soon as extra obtained the higher of the opener. This time, a silent sendoff shortly was a heated verbal spat, including additional gasoline to the hearth, despite the fact that India ultimately claimed victory.
Now, with two explosive clashes already within the books, followers are bracing for the third straight showdown. Will Sufiyan tighten his grip on the rivalry, or will Abhishek lastly flip the tables?
Fakhar Zaman’s aptitude or Jasprit Bumrah’s hearth
The rivalry takes us again to the unforgettable 2017 Champions Trophy closing, when Jasprit Bumrah’s no-ball handed Pakistan a golden lifeline — and Fakhar Zaman turned it into historical past with a match-winning century, sealing Pakistan’s first ICC title for the reason that 2009 T20 World Cup.
The collage of image reveals Pakistan’s opening batter Fakhar Zaman (Left) and Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah. — AFP/File
Since then, Bumrah has struggled to dismiss Fakhar on the massive stage, including an additional spark each time these two conflict. And now, with one other showdown set for Sunday, followers cannot look forward to this electrifying face-off.
In the meantime, the left-handed Pakistani batter has performed 4 T20I matches in opposition to the lads in blue and scored simply 38 runs at a strike fee of 118.75.
Abrar Ahmed’s magic or Shubman Gill’s grit
Followers are buzzing with pleasure for an additional electrifying showdown—Abrar Ahmed vs Shubman Gill.
Abrar Ahmed of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Shubman Gill of India throughout the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Pakistan and India at Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. — ICC
In the course of the 2025 Champions Trophy, India’s vice-captain had no solutions to Abrar’s spin magic, despite the fact that the Inexperienced Shirts couldn’t clinch victory.
Now, as each recent squads lock horns this Sunday, the massive query looms: Can Abrar weave his magic once more, not simply in opposition to Gill but additionally India’s power-packed batting lineup that always falters in opposition to spin?
Regardless of not having featured in opposition to Pakistan within the T20I format, Gill’s ODI report in opposition to them stands out. He has performed 4 matches, scoring a complete of 130 runs at a mean of 32.50 and a strike fee of 88.44.
His highest rating of 58 got here in these encounters, highlighting his capacity to contribute strong runs in opposition to Pakistan.
Haris Rauf’s tempo or SKY’s aptitude
One battle that guarantees fireworks is the face-off between Pakistan’s fiery pacer Haris Rauf and India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
The collage of images reveals Pakistan’s pacer Haris Rauf (Left) and Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav. — ICC
Historical past tilts in Rauf’s favour — he’s already despatched Yadav packing twice in T20Is.
In the meantime, SKY’s numbers in opposition to Pakistan inform their very own story: simply 64 runs in 5 matches at a modest strike fee of 118.51.
The massive query now — can Rauf as soon as once more rattle India’s captain and maintain this electrifying rivalry alive?
Initially printed in Geo Tremendous
