India vs Pakistan: 10 Key Insights Ahead of the Huge Champions Trophy 2025 Encounter

It is the biggest cricketing event on the annual calendar. It is the greatest rivalry in the sport. It is India vs Pakistan at an ICC world event. It is India vs Pakistan at the 2025 Champions Trophy on a Super Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The two teams will come into the mega contest with different mindsets. Hosts Pakistan were thrashed by New Zealand in their tournament opener whereas India were comfortable winners against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday.

What is the head to head record between the two teams at ICC events? How is India's form in Dubai? What will India's strategy be in the powerplay? Why are Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf so important for Pakistan? Is Virat struggling against left-arm spin? We look at some key insights which can potentially dictate the outcome of the match on Sunday.

INDIA'S STUNNING DOMINATION AT ICC EVENTS

India have dominated Pakistan in ICC events and have a 17-4 head to head record against their arch-rivals. Interestingly though, it is Pakistan who has the edge over India at the Champions Trophy with a 3-2 record. They hammered India by 180 runs in the final of the 2017 edition at The Oval – which was the last meeting between the two Asian giants in the tournament. 5-0

INDIA – FORM IS WITH THE MEN IN BLUE

India have annihilated Pakistan in the last five ODI meetings between the two units. Three of their wins have come by a margin of seven or more wickets. India smashed Pakistan by 89 runs in the 2019 World Cup fixture at Old Trafford

before humiliating them by 228 runs in the Asia Cup in Colombo in 2023.

INDIA HAVE NEVER LOST AN ODI IN DUBAI

India have played seven matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and won six of these encounters! They