The ICC Champions Trophy returns after an eight-year absence for its ninth edition from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan will stage the tournament for the first time since 1996, but will share hosting duties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Their clash with India will be staged at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE on February 23 and will generate massive interest worldwide.
The emerging UAE betting industry will also see a similar impact as Arab punters and cricket fans rush to place wagers on the showpiece event.
All UAE betting sites will be inundated with a multitude of bets on a game which inflames passions in international cricket like no other. Read on as we take a closer look.
India Eager to Hammer Home Their Dominance
India will be keen to extend their dominance over Pakistan when the two sides renew hostilities in Dubai later this month.
Since losing to Pakistan by 180 runs in the 2017 final, India have won eight out of ten meetings. They are unbeaten in their last four outings against Pakistan.
While players and experts have tried to downplay the significance of this match-up in the grand scheme of things, the reality is that this contest is unlike any other.
It does not matter what the occasion or tournament is, there are always plenty of fireworks when these two sides go head-to-head – a sentiment shared by Indian legend Ravi Shastri.
Ahead of the eagerly anticipated match, current head coach Gautam Gambhir said the importance of the Pakistan game was the same as every other fixture at the event.
Shastri admitted he had the same opinion at one point in his career, but he recognises that the rivalry is a different beast altogether.
“I was the coach for seven years,” Shastri said. “Whenever I was asked, I said the same thing. But let me assure you, deep down, there’s a lot more to that than you actually think – that’s for the media.
“You have to say it. But deep down, you want to win that. Because if you don’t, you’ll be reminded of it until the next time you play against Pakistan.”
Shastri’s admission points to the undeniable pressure that comes with the historic rivalry. Whichever way this game goes, the outcome will be etched in public memory far longer than any other result.
India will have one eye on Pakistan, but the players will be focused on the bigger picture – winning the Champions Trophy.
Gambhir’s side head into the 50-over tournament as the bookmakers’ favourites to clinch the title and they will be desperate to get the job done.
Their hopes were dashed by a stunning Pakistani performance last time they came within touching distance, but they will be determined to make a statement this time around.
Pakistan Hoping History Repeats Itself
Fakhar Zaman’s scintillating century and Hasan Ali’s devastating bowling dismantled India as Pakistan rallied to their maiden ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.
That performance was one of the nation’s most iconic triumphs, but their recent record against India leaves a lot to be desired about their chances of repeating the feat in Dubai.
Pakistan have won just two out of ten meetings with India since 2017 and will need another iconic performance to beat the pre-tournament favourites later this month.
Adding fuel to the fire, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also threw down the gauntlet by making it clear the nation’s pride is at stake.
Speaking at the grand reopening of the newly revamped Gaddafi Stadium, Sharif set the stakes high for Aaqib Javed and his men, urging them to not only get one over their biggest rivals but also win the entire tournament.
“We have a very good side, and they have done well in recent times,” Sharif said.
“But the real task now is to not only win the Champions Trophy but also defeat our arch-rival, India, in the upcoming match in Dubai. The entire nation stands behind them.”
India has dominated ICC events since the 1990s, but Pakistan’s memorable T20 World Cup victory in 2021, also in Dubai, proved they could turn the tide.
Tensions between the cricket boards hit a fever pitch when India refused to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming game, adding more fire to what already promises to be a riveting contest.
Pakistan will head into the tournament brimming with confidence, but they need to get off to a winning start against New Zealand ahead of the main event against India.
