The beauty of India vs Pakistan contests lies in how infrequent they are and that is maybe why they are aimed so much and why, when they do take place, it draws millions of eyeballs across both sides of the border.
And that such day will be Sunday when both teams open their Champions Trophy campaign. India, the defending champions, and an experienced lot are the favourites against a Pakistan side who don’t have regular faces for a long time and inconsistency has been their biggest concern.
Virat Kohli conducted India will have to pick between good four bowling options while for Pakistan, Azhar Ali is a candidate to come in at Edgbaston. Catch live scores and updates from India vs Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Virat Kohli after losing toss: “It is a pretty good wicket, it will stay even. We need a complete performance to win a game of cricket, today is going to be no different. The preparations are like usual.”
Sarfraz Ahmed after wining toss: “It is a good pitch and won’t change much. India-Pakistan is a pressure game, hopefully we play as a free game. Our batting is much better”
Pakistan playing XI: Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali
Pakistan have won the toss and Sarfraz Ahmed elects to field. India will bat and Kohli says he doesn’t mind it.