The excitement is building as cricket’s fiercest rivalry is set to take center stage in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India and Pakistan will face off in a high-stakes clash on Sunday in Dubai, a match that is always more than just a game. With a history of thrilling encounters and intense competition, this battle is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament. Both teams have a lot at stake, making the contest even more gripping for fans around the world.

India begin well while Pakistan in trouble

India made a strong start to their Champions Trophy campaign, registering a convincing six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their opening match. Their batting and bowling departments looked well-balanced, with key players stepping up at the right time. A win against Pakistan would further solidify their chances of reaching the semi-finals and maintaining momentum in the tournament.

On the other hand, Pakistan finds itself in a difficult situation after suffering a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening match. Their batting struggled against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack, and the team now faces a must-win scenario. Pakistan cannot afford another slip-up, as losing to India would put them on the brink of elimination. To keep their semi-final hopes alive, they must win both of their remaining group-stage matches, making the clash against India even more crucial.

Steve Waugh picks his favourite team

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has shared his prediction for the much-anticipated Indo-Pak clash, backing India as the favourites. However, he also acknowledged the unpredictability of the Pakistan team, making it clear that an upset cannot be ruled out.

“The India-Pakistan match is not just a cricket match. It is a big event. Pakistan has been going through ups and downs in the last 12 months. They can play very well, so it is never certain how the Pakistan team will play. India are the favourites, but I won’t be surprised if Pakistan wins,” Waugh was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Waugh’s assessment highlights the uncertainty that comes with Pakistan’s performance in major tournaments. While India’s recent consistency makes them the stronger side on paper, Pakistan has historically been known for producing unpredictable yet stunning performances on big occasions.

Also READ: India or Pakistan? Shikhar Dhawan predicts the potential winner of Champions Trophy 2025 clash in Dubai

A cracker of a contest awaits on Sunday in Dubai

With India riding high on confidence and Pakistan desperate to bounce back, Sunday’s clash in Dubai is set to be a thrilling contest. India will look to maintain their winning momentum, while Pakistan will be fighting for survival in the tournament.

The encounter is expected to draw millions of viewers worldwide, as the rivalry between these two teams transcends the sport itself. Fans can anticipate a high-pressure game filled with top-class performances, intense battles, and electrifying moments.

Also READ: India or Pakistan? Mohammad Amir predicts the winner of the high-voltage clash in Champions Trophy 2025

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The global surge in the popularity of shorter formats of cricket, such as T20 and T10, has cast a shadow on the traditional and more time-intensive Test cricket, pushing it towards a perceived brink of extinction. A recent example highlighting this concern emerged during the announcement of South Africa‘s red-ball squad for their upcoming tour to New Zealand. The Proteas unveiled a significantly inexperienced lineup, featuring seven debutants and a noticeable absence of seasoned players.

Complicating matters, the tour coincided with South Africa’s domestic T20 league, SA20 2024, triggering a rule preventing players under contract with SA20 from participating in international fixtures. This situation prompted criticism from former Australian cricketer Steve Waugh, who criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) for their negligence of Test cricket.

Steve Waugh’s remarks for South Africa

Waugh criticized South Africa’s squad selection, expressing dissatisfaction with their choices. He questioned the merit of playing the series, suggesting that New Zealand should reconsider participating due to what he perceives as a lack of respect for the Blackcaps.

“If I was New Zealand I wouldn’t even play the series. I don’t know why they’re even playing. Why would you when it shows a lack of respect for New Zealand cricket?” Waugh said while speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Steve Waugh making a fair point. We have been loving intense test cricket. Need to support the format & prevent it from dying. It's the scheduling of SA20 that led to this team selection. Where's test cricket headed? pic.twitter.com/eAbgCvzqt6

— Anurag Rekhi (@Dravidict) December 31, 2023

Also READ: Cricket South Africa names 7 uncapped players in their Test squad for New Zealand tour

Waugh’s remarks on ICC

Waugh also criticized the ICC for mistreating Test cricket. In an Instagram post, the Canterbury-based cricketer urged cricketing powerhouses like India and Australia to take proactive steps in revitalizing the red-ball format, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to preserve the essence of this orthodox and historically rich form of the game.

“Is this a defining moment in the death of Test cricket. Surely the ICC along (with) the cricket boards of India, England and Australia must step in to protect the purest form of the game. History and tradition must count for something. If we stand by and allow profits to be the defining criteria, the legacy of Bradman, Grace and Sobers will be irrelevant,” the 58-year-old mentioned.

Also READ – SA vs IND: Sunil Gavaskar advocates for two changes in India’s playing XI for the Cape Town Test

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The upcoming Ashes series between England and Australia is set to be super exciting, with England’s ‘Bazball’ being the centre of talking point. Notably, the term ‘Bazball’ refers to the playing style adopted by the English team, which emerged after the appointments of Brendon McCullum as head coach and Ben Stokes as captain.

Undoubtedly, England is expected to persist with their ‘Bazball’ approach in the upcoming Ashes 2023 series. However, the Australians have raised some concerns about whether this style of play can withstand the formidable Aussie attack. To provide some context, England has maintained an impressive scoring rate of 4.85 runs per over in the past year, with five of their batters boasting a strike rate of over 75.

On the contrary, Australia have built their game around creating pressure and roasting opponents, evident from their remarkable economy rate, which is the best among any team in recent years. Their ability to strangle opposition teams has become a defining characteristic of their gameplay in the oldest format.

Meanwhile, former Australian skipper Steve Waugh has raised questions regarding the Bazball approach, highlighting the key issue by asking if the English side has any Plan B.

Waugh suggested that the effectiveness of Bazball could be in doubt if there isn’t a backup strategy or alternative plan in place. The ex-Aussie skipper reckoned that the ultimate challenge of England would come when they face a world-class bowling attack from Australia.

“That is the big question mark over so-called Bazball. What is Plan B? Have they got a Plan B? Australia’s former Test captain asked. If they haven’t then they are going to be found out. They have shown they are good enough to carry this style of cricket off but the ultimate test will be against a world-class bowling attack, which Australia has got,” said Waugh, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“It is exciting but to me the jury is out at the moment. Does [Bazball] hold up under scrutiny against a really good bowling attack in maybe challenging conditions?,” Waugh added.

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