CT 2017: India v Pakistan, Game 4 – Match Result Predictions

The biggest blockbuster game of the ICC Champions Trophy is here. India take on the arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2nd match of Group B at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Whenever these two sides go head to head, there is plenty of interest from not just the fans of the two countries but all around the world too. There is a huge amount of build up for the game, the newspapers are full of stories, the banners all over the internet feature the players from both teams. It just doesn’t get bigger than this.

The defending champions India have made all the right moves so far since they landed in England. In the first warm-up match, they dismissed a strong New Zealand batting line-up for just 189 and won the match comfortably. Then against Bangladesh, they amassed 324 runs batting first against Bangladesh and then bowled them out for just 84. At the end of the warm-up games, India were the only team that won both their matches and that too, quite dominatingly.

Pakistan, on the other hand, played their first warm-up match against Bangladesh and conceded 341 runs bowling first. While chasing, they were at 249/8 at one stage and were in danger of losing the match. But Fahim Ashraf pulled off a stunning knock and won the match for the side in the last over. Their next match against Australia was washed out. A big test for them lies ahead as they face their neighbors. The team along with the captain has been pretty vocal about their excitement for the match.

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: 270-280

Result prediction: India will win the match by 5 wickets with 5 overs to spare

Scenario 2: Pakistan wins the toss

Toss prediction: Pakistan will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 320-330

Result prediction: India will win the match by more than 50 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 127, India Won – 51, Pakistan Won – 72, No Result – 4

Matches in England: Total Matches – 3, India Won – 2, Pakistan Won – 1

Pakistan have got India’s number when it comes to overall record between the two sides. But the stats also include matches from the time when Pakistan used to dominate India. Nowadays, the two sides do not play too many games against each other due to the tension between the countries. They only meet in ICC tournaments these days and going by recent records, India have defeated Pakistan in ODIs on all 3 occasions in the last 3 meeting. This one also seems more in favor of India than Pakistan.

Playing Combinations

India:

The Indian side has always been blessed with several batting talents. This line-up is as good as any other team in the competition. The Golden Bat winner from the previous trophy, Shikhar Dhawan has struck form from IPL and did well in the warm-up matches too. Rohit Sharma’s form is a bit of a worry but he has fond memories from the last edition of the Champions Trophy. Virat Kohli also looked in good touch against New Zealand and will be extremely vital for India’s chances. The experienced duo of Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni will provide stability and Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya can flourish at the end.

It must be for the first time that going into an ICC event, there is an argument that India’s bowling line-up is stronger than batting. The pace battery consists of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami. Each one is capable of bowling with the new ball as well as at the death. Going by the amount of runs that are being scored in the tournament, death bowling will be extremely crucial and India are secured with the presence of Kumar and Bumrah. It will be difficult for the team to leave out any of the bowlers. Then there are the two world-class spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who played instrumental roles in the team’s triumph in 2013.

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

Pakistan:

Pakistan’s batting line-up is as unpredictable as anything in the game of cricket. One day they will produce a work of genius and will fall like nine pins on the other day. There is no doubt there is talent in the line-up but whether they stand up as a team to perform, remains to be seen. Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Sarfaraz Ahmed, the top 6 are capable of mustering big scores. It might not look a daunting line-up like India’s but surely cannot be underestimated.

The team is always known for the prowess in the pace department. This time as well, they have a number of fast bowlers who can do the damage. Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz possess great pace and can swing the ball too. Hasan Ali can also crank it up and completes the pace battery. One of Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan could play as a spinner. Overall, the bowling unit is good but would be tested against the strong batting of India.

Predicted XI: Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed(c & wk), Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz

The XI of India looks far stronger than Pakistan. India have all the bases covered in all the three departments of the game. It will be difficult for Pakistan to overcome the might of India.

India stand firm favorites going by the current form and the balance of the squad. If rain allows the game to take place, India will most likely win their second game against Pakistan in Champions Trophy history.

You can follow the live scores of the match here

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