PAKISTAN face arch-rivals India in a Champions Trophy blockbuster on Sunday (23) as they look to get their campaign back on track in front of a sell-out crowd in Dubai on an occasion described as "beyond a game".
The neighbours only meet in multi-nation events because of political tensions and the match is taking place in Dubai after India refused to travel to tournament hosts Pakistan.
In front of what is expected to be a full house, and with hundreds of millions more glued to their televisions, Pakistan are under pressure.
Mohammad Rizwan's side was well beaten by New Zealand by 60 runs in the opening game of the competition in Karachi and realistically need to beat favourites India to stay in the hunt for a semi-final spot in the eight-nation tournament.
New Zealand top Group A ahead of India -- who beat Bangladesh on Thursday (20) by six wickets -- on a better run-rate. Pakistan are fourth and bottom of the group.
The top two teams from each of the two groups make the semi-finals.
"After losing a game there is another good chance for you to win and win the third one and make it to the semis," Pakistan coach Aaqib Javed said.
"Between India and Pakistan it doesn't matter, it's a knockout or whatever. It's beyond a game and that's the beauty of India-Pakistan cricket."
Eager fans began filing into the 25,000-capacity Dubai International Stadium. India's blue jersey dominated the streets leading to the stadium, with Virat Kohli's number 18 the most popular.
Pakistani batsman Babar Azam's number 56 was also popular among fans with painted faces and wrapped in the green-and-white national flag.
Pakistan suffered a big blow in the loss on Wednesday when top batsman Fakhar Zaman suffered a muscle injury. He has been ruled out of the tournament, but Aaqib said they will still field a "good, strong team".
Imam-ul-Haq has come in as a replacement for a team that hammered India in the final of the previous Champions Trophy in 2017.
That was India's last defeat to Pakistan in an ODI match and Rohit Sharma's men have since won five of the past six games against their greatest rivals, with one rained off.
They last met in a one-day game at the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, with hosts India winning by seven wickets.
Another loss and an early exit for the hosts would take the gloss off the tournament, Pakistan's first ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan fans are seen outside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Satish Kumar
In contrast, India lived up to their favourites tag against Bangladesh, chasing down a tricky 229 with 21 balls to spare in Dubai.
In-form Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 101 for his second successive century after pace spearhead Mohammed Shami returned figures of 5-53.
Victory for India would put them on the cusp of the last four, but vice-captain Gill warned his team against complacency.
"Definitely we have been playing some good ODI cricket and Pakistan unfortunately have lost some of the matches that they have played recently but by no means are we going to take them as a lesser side," Gill said.
"I think they have got a good side and it is important for us to bring our A-game tomorrow."
Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent's partition in 1947 and that rivalry is often reflected on the cricket field.
Deteriorating political ties have meant the bitter rivals have not played a bilateral cricket series for more than a decade.
India last visited Pakistan in 2008, for the Asia Cup.
(AFP)
