February 22 – Pakistan will seek to draw inspiration from their recent victories over India in Dubai as they face their archrivals in a high-stakes Champions Trophy Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium tomorrow.
After a disappointing 60-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening match last Wednesday, Pakistan must win against India to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Recent Wins to Boost Pakistan’s Confidence
Ahead of the crucial match, Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf reminded reporters of Pakistan’s recent dominance over India at the same venue. The Men in Green stunned India by 10 wickets in the T20 World Cup 2021, securing their first-ever World Cup win against India. They followed it up with a five-wicket victory in the Super Four stage of the 2022 T20 Asia Cup. However, Pakistan had also suffered a group-stage defeat to India in that same Asia Cup at this very venue.
Despite the difference in formats, Rauf believes these past wins will boost team morale ahead of the blockbuster encounter.
“No doubt, it will boost our confidence. We have beaten India here in back-to-back years. We will try and repeat the good things from those games and try and beat India. I hope it’s a good match,” Rauf told reporters.
However, he acknowledged that pitch conditions could play a crucial role, adding: “The record is good. But it depends on the pitches. It might be a spin track. We will look at the conditions and try and use them well.”
‘No Pressure,’ Says Haris Rauf :
Despite the high stakes, Rauf insisted that Pakistan are not feeling any extra pressure ahead of the much-anticipated match.
“Everybody is doing well in the camp. We are focused on doing well. We will try to give our best and ensure we win the match. There is no pressure. We are very relaxed. We are all positive, and we will approach the game like any other,” Rauf stated.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Campaign in a Hybrid Model
Pakistan, the official hosts of the Champions Trophy, agreed to a hybrid model after India refused to travel across the border due to security concerns. As a result, Pakistan landed in Dubai on Thursday and had their first training session on Friday morning to prepare for the crucial match.
With their semifinal spot on the line, Pakistan will be eager to extend their recent Dubai dominance over India and keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive.
