Match: India v Pakistan
Group: Group B
Date: Sunday, June 4
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Head2Head in ODIs
Pakistan leads the overall tally between the rivals, winning 72 of their 127 ODI games, with four no result. India, however, has had greater success in the recent past, especially in ICC world events, and has one of the strongest one-day teams presently.
Greatest ODI encounter
India and Pakistan have played games of great significance several times. One of the most memorable ones came during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-finals.
With the stage set at Mohali, Pakistan was set a target of 261 thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s gritty 85 and Suresh Raina’s boundaries towards the end. Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Wahab Riaz was impressive with a five-wicket haul.
Pakistan went about its business with a free-flowing start. But, when Kamran Akmal sliced a slower ball from Zaheer Khan straight to point, its collapse began. Like most of Pakistan’s recent encounters, Misbah-ul-Haq (56) scared the Indians with some magnificent batting at the death, but eventually holed out while trying to accelerate. It was a combined effort from the Indian bowlers, all five of them picking up two wickets each.
Previous Champions Trophy Encounter
Edgbaston, Birmingham, June 15, 2013
India won by eight wickets (D/L Method)
PoM: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
India bowled Pakistan out for 165 with equal contributions from all bowlers. After a rain delay, it chased down 102 in 19.1 overs to clinch the match by eight wickets.
SuperSport Park, Centurion, September 26, 2009
Pakistan won by 54 runs
PoM: Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik’s 126-ball 128 and Mohammad Yousuf’s 87 helped Pakistan post a total of 302, despite Ashish Nehra’s 4-55. It then bowled India out for 248, with only Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid managing half-centuries.
Edgbaston, Birmingham, September 19, 2004
Pakistan won by three wickets
PoM: Yousuf Youhana
Yousuf Youhana’s 81* steered Pakistan’s run chase after its bowlers had restricted India to just 200 in 49.5 overs. Rahul Dravid’s 67 was the standout for India, while Shoaib Akhtar and Naved-ul-Hasan took four wickets each.
Key players for each side
With runs all around the world, and a magnificent record against Pakistan, Virat Kohli can never be ignored as a key player. Over the past few years, Kohli has grown to be India’s most valuable asset by dominating opposition bowlers with his quick hands and strong wrists. Pakistan will have to be wary of his ability to score quick runs, and find a way to get him out early.
Against such a strong batting line-up like India’s, Pakistan’s bowling will have to be on point. After recently being re-introduced into the Pakistan bowling line-up, Mohammad Amir has shown immense ability to pitch the ball up, and swing the new ball. In his last game against India at the ICC World T20 2016, he reduced them to 8 for 3 in 2.4 overs and almost dismantled India’s top order. India will have to watch out and be patient against him.
Key facts
- MS Dhoni averages 58.38 against Pakistan with two centuries and nine fifties.
- Pakistan leads the Champions Trophy tally against India 2-1.
- Virat Kohli’s high score of 183 in ODIs came against Pakistan.
- India has never lost to Pakistan in World Cups.
Best at Champions Trophy
India: Winners 2013; Joint-winner 2002
Pakistan: Semi-finalists 2009, 2004, 2000
