India vs Pakistan: Champions Trophy Rivalry

Defending champions India will start their ICC Champions Trophy campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on the 4th June at Edgbaston. It is not a hidden fact that cricket fans around the world are waiting eagerly for this big showdown. Due to the political turmoil between the two nations, they always face each other only in ICC events, may it be 50-over World Cup, World T20 or in Champions Trophy. Across the generations, players from both the teams have always been itching to play against each other which have led to some of the memorable moments and games.

There is a bitter truth which Pakistan team and their supporters have to accept that India have always had an upper hand against them at global events. Both in World Cup and in World T20, India have never lost to Pakistan. But in Champions Trophy, the Pakistani team has been a superior sides far as head to head record is concerned against India.

The two teams have clashed in this mega event thrice and the Men in Green have come up trumps twice. India though would like to square things up on 4th June and continue their dominance over the neighbours in ICC events. The fierce rivalry between the two nations have always billions of people to come together and it would be no different this time around. Here at CricTracker, we relive this greatest rivalry in Champions Trophy:

1. 2004 Edgbaston, Birmingham

India faced Pakistan for the first time in Champions Trophy in 2004. Pakistan were raring to go in this match as the wounds of 2003 World Cup defeat were still fresh. Pakistan won the toss and invited India to bat first. Soon, the men in blue were reduced to 3/28 by Mohammad Sami and Naved Ul Hasan. India could never recover from early blows and could only muster 200, thanks, Rahul Dravid’s defiant 67. Pakistan were buoyed by the performance of their quicks as Shoaib Akhtar and Naved bagged four wickets.

Pakistan, too got off to a bad start as Irfan Pathan gave India the fillip they badly needed by reducing the opponents to 3/27. But then two of the experienced players, Yusuf Youhana (Now Mohammad Yousuf) and Inzamam built the innings with a half century. Yusuf continued his batting even as wickets fell around him. Finally, Pakistan won the match by 3 wickets which ebbed and flowed throughout. Yusuf who made unbeaten 81 was declared man of the match and Pakistan had finally beaten India in an ICC event.

2. 2009 Super Sports Park, Centurion

India, led by MS Dhoni came up against Pakistan once again in 2009 ICC Champions Trophy. The two teams were facing each other after almost a year and a half and yet again it was a much-awaited clash as always. Skipper Younis Khan won the toss and decided to make first use of the wicket by batting.

Pakistan scored a mammoth 302 on the back of a double century stand between Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf. Malik went on to make one of his better centuries and was only dismissed in the penultimate over for 128. India looked to be in the chase for the most part of the 40 overs but were folded soon as Rahul Dravid was dismissed for a well made 76 in 42nd over. Pakistan once again held their nerve in a tense clash and it was 2-0 in their favour in Champions Trophy.

3. 2013 Edgbaston, Birmingham

In this edition of Champions Trophy which is renownedly known as Mini World Cup. India were in great form and had beaten South Africa and West Indies. Pakistan, on the other hand, were beaten by the same two sides and were out of the tournament. Pakistan were playing this match for pride and India were just looking to extend their dominance in the tournament and open their winning account against their rivals in this event. Also, the match was interrupted by rain quite a few times.

India won the toss and chose to field first in overcast conditions. Men in blue bowled excellently in the game which was curtailed to 40 overs and Pakistan somehow crawled to 165 which was nowhere near competitive. India as expected, raced their way to the victory by scoring 102, the target set by Duckworth-Lewis method as the rain continued to interrupt right through their chase.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was declared Man of the Match for his excellent spell of 2/19 in eight overs. Finally, India had managed to beat Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and it was a pretty easy win as the Pakistani team didn’t look competitive enough.

Once again this year India look firm favourites against their arch-rivals but Pakistan is a dangerous side and could never be taken lightly. Interestingly, both Kohli and Sarfraz will be leading their sides for the first time in an ICC tournament. The match would surely be a treat to watch for the fans and the outcome might well decide the road ahead for them in the tournament.