CT 2017: India v Pakistan, Final – Match Result Predictions

After 14 intriguing contests, the ICC Champions Trophy is on the verge of finding its ultimate winner. It’s the encounter of the old rivals, India will take on Pakistan in the summit clash. It just doesn’t get bigger than this and the Kennington Oval on Sunday will give a feel of the Wankhede Stadium and the Gaddafi Stadium combined. The last time these 2 teams met in the final of an ICC event was in the 2007 World T20 and we all remember how that game panned out.

India came into the tournament as the prime favorites to defend their title. Barring the defeat against Sri Lanka, they have played like the champions too. Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh were all defeated in one-sided encounters. When the team has been on song, it has absolutely demolished the oppositions. The batting has done wonders and the bowlers have done equally well and that’s why they are the firm favorites.

On the contrary, Pakistan were written off after the humiliating defeat against India in the league match. But how they made a comeback, is a story for the ages. Against the World No.1 team South Africa, they pulled off a stunning victory and then prevailed in a close contest against Sri Lanka. In the semi-final, they knocked out the tournament favorites England. They have fought all the odds and stormed their way into the final.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: India wins the toss

Toss prediction: India will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 250-260

Result prediction: India will win the match by 6 wickets

Scenario 2: Pakistan wins the toss

Toss prediction: Pakistan will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 290-300

Result prediction: India will win the match by 20-30 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 128, India Won – 52, Pakistan Won – 72, No Result – 4

Matches in England: Total Matches – 4, India Won – 3, Pakistan Won – 1

Historically, Pakistan have had the better of India but when it comes to ICC events, India have outplayed Pakistan more often than not. Given the fact that these two teams play each other only in ICC events, 2 clashes between the sides in one tournament is nothing short of a jackpot for the fans of both the countries. It promises to be a mouth-watering encounter, the one that certainly can’t be missed.

Playing Combinations

India:

The openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been in outstanding forms. Both have scored a century and 2 half-centuries each and have been setting up the victories for India. Virat Kohli has also found the purple patch and is firing all cylinders. But the middle-order remains highly untested and Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav have found very little time in the middle.

The bowlers have been instrumental in halting the oppositions to mediocre scores. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have bowled tremendously with the new ball and have backed it up at the death too. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have kept a check on the scoring during the middle overs. But the fifth bowler remains a concern. Hardik Pandya has gone for runs and he will be under the pump in the big match.

Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni(wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

Pakistan:

The inclusion of Fakhar Zaman has done wonders for the team as he has provided blistering starts more often than not. Azhar Ali has played the perfect foil for his partner and the pair has had back to back good partnerships. Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik have spent some time at the crease which will be crucial for them. The skipper Sarfaraz Khan played a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka and a lot would rest on his shoulders.

Mohammad Amir missed out in the last game but Rumman Raees filled in for him quite nicely and that’s why it makes sense to keep him in the line-up. Indians play the spinners quite well and hence Shadab Khan might sit out as Imad Wasim could be the lone spinner in the side. Junaid Khan has done well and the trump card Hasan Ali has been the bowler of the tournament. The onus would be on the pacers to restrict the strong batting of India.

Predicted XI: Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed(c & wk), Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees, Junaid Khan

India’s juggernaut so far has been daunting and Pakistan’s spirited show makes the contest a must-watch. It will be a battle between India’s batting and Pakistan’s bowling. At the end, it will come down to which team handles the pressure of the big day well.

Going by the history of the matches in ICC events between the two sides, India will be the favorites to win.

You can follow the live scores of the match here

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.