Al Jazeera takes a close look as hosts Pakistan face rivals and favourites India in the Champions Trophy open on Sunday. The match between Pakistan and India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday, February 23 at 1pm (09:00 GMT).
This highly anticipated match between the two cricketing giants and neighbouring countries is expected to draw huge television audiences and global attention. Both teams are coming off contrasting results from their opening matches, with Pakistan facing a defeat against New Zealand and India securing a six-wicket win against Bangladesh.
The tournament marks the first major global tournament hosted in Pakistan in nearly 30 years, highlighting the significance of this event for both nations. Pakistan, who lifted the Champions Trophy in 2017 by beating India in the final, will look to repeat their success on home soil.
However, India, led by captain Rohit Sharma, will be determined to claim victory and deny Pakistan back-to-back crowns. With key players like Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah in their squad, India will be a tough challenge for the Pakistan team.
The rivalry between Pakistan and India adds an extra layer of excitement to the match, making it a must-watch event for cricket fans worldwide. Stay tuned for live coverage of the ICC Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and India on Al Jazeera.
Attribution:
This article was summarized and republished from the original source.
Please check the original article here: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/2/21/icc-champions-trophy-2025-pakistan-vs-india-start-team-news-preview.