The highly anticipated India - Pakistan match is finally here after number of dramas. Both of them come into the match with a couple of wins each. The match between India and Pakistan starts at 7:15 pm.
Join our Telegram Channels for B€tingTips and Live Links ! India vs Pakistan - Hindi Link 1 India vs Pakistan - English Link 2 India vs Pakistan - English HDEverything about this contest is larger than the tournament itself. If anyone needed reminding of how much the cricketing calendar depends on this fixture, the uncertainty surrounding it over the past two weeks provided exactly that. An India–Pakistan clash often feels like it carries the weight of the world, but as the ICC’s scheduling over the past decade and a half has repeatedly suggested, the result is secondary. The game simply has to take place.
And then there is the rivalry. After India’s second win over Pakistan in Dubai during the Asia Cup, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav boldly claimed this was no longer a rivalry — as though the contest were defined purely by what happens within the boundary ropes. India may now benchmark themselves against teams playing a higher standard of cricket, but no opponent consistently fills stadiums or attracts television audiences like Pakistan. Across the border, meanwhile, there has never been any hesitation in admitting that beating India matters more than anything else.
Perhaps it is scarcity that has intensified emotions among Pakistan supporters. In the past decade, Pakistan have beaten India just three times — yet two of those victories are iconic enough to be referenced simply by numbers. In Pakistan, saying “180 runs” or “152-0” requires no further explanation. Yet alongside those treasured memories sit 17 defeats — a stark imbalance that continues to shape the narrative of this rivalry.
From a tournament standpoint, however, the stakes are surprisingly modest. Both sides have navigated tricky moments to begin with 2-0 records against less fancied opponents. Even a loss here is unlikely to jeopardize progression to the next stage. This is, essentially, a fixture that exists for its own significance — independent of standings or permutations.
On the field, the balance tilts toward India. They hold both a cricketing and psychological advantage, having defeated Pakistan in three distinct ways during the Asia Cup — once with the ball, once with the bat, and once through superior game management. India’s top order remains one of the most destructive in T20 cricket, their middle order offers depth and power, their spin attack boasts world-class variety, and their pace battery is spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah. There are few visible weaknesses.
For Pakistan, the picture may appear daunting — but writing them off would ignore the unpredictable spirit that has long defined Pakistan cricket. Despite the widening gap between the sides, Pakistan will still wonder how they do not carry a three-match T20 World Cup winning streak against India into this encounter. After their emphatic victory in 2021, they let chances slip away in Melbourne in 2022 and New York in 2024. Those defeats underlined the thin line between hope and belief. If opportunities arise — as they did in those matches and in last year’s Asia Cup final — Pakistan must seize them decisively.
India versus Pakistan is often discussed for reasons beyond cricket. Yet for a few hours on Sunday, the focus could return purely to the sport. And that alone may be reason enough to look forward to what promises — at the very least — to be compelling theatre.
Team News: India considering an extra spinner?
Abhishek Sharma has recovered in time and is expected to replace Sanju Samson. India are keen to bolster their spin options, meaning either Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav could come in, potentially at the expense of Arshdeep Singh.
India (probable XI):
Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan appear set to persist with Babar Azam in the middle order. Following a commanding display against USA, there is limited pressure for sweeping changes. Fakhar Zaman could be drafted in — possibly replacing Usman Khan — which might see Sahibzada Farhan take over wicketkeeping duties. Wholesale alterations, however, seem unlikely.
Pakistan (probable XI):
Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan/Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed