Plot:

The last time India and Pakistan met in the final of an ICC tournament, was a decade ago. In 2007, the arch rivals faced off in the final of the inaugural World T20. The farthest they have got to in the two fifty over tournaments is the semi-final in the 2011 ICC cricket World Cup. In what is a rare occurrence, India and Pakistan are all set to lock horns in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy. Coincidentally, Pakistan and India played their first games of the tournament against each other. It was a game in which India played all their cards right, while Pakistan faltered with the ball first and then with the bat. They were equally shabby on the field too.

In the last few years, or more specifically, since the turn of the second decade in this century, India vs Pakistan matches have gone off the boil when it comes to balance in the contests. The last time Pakistan won a match against India in an ICC event was during the Champions Trophy, in 2009. Since then, they have lost two world cup games, three World T20 matches and two Champions Trophy encounters. All of these contests were mostly one-sided, and Pakistan were defeated with more comfort than difficulty.

India’s run in this tournament has been quite strong. They lost one game, against Sri Lanka, but after scoring over 300 runs. They bossed Pakistan and South Africa in the group stage and made easy work of Bangladesh in the semi-final at Edgbaston. The batting has been in prime form in all the games. The top order hasn’t been troubled much by the four bowling attacks they were exposed too. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have got the team off to solid starts in almost each of the four games. Kohli, coming in at one drop, has also been amongst the runs, scoring three half-centuries. It’s the middle order that didn’t get a bat in the middle since the first two matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The bowling has been on the money during most parts of the tournament too. The combination of two spinners, two pacers and one all-rounder has worked for Virat Kohli. Ashwin hasn’t been among the wickets too often, but has kept it tight from his end.

Pakistan turned things around for themselves after their disappointing loss to India in their first game of the tournament. Their bowling stood out in each of their three victories since. Against South Africa, Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan displayed some of the best death bowling skills in the tournament. Hasan Ali is the leading wicket-taker of this Champions Trophy and he has been a revelation for Pakistan. He was however, hit to all parts of the park by the Indian batsmen, and will have an agenda against them this time around. Pakistan have been responsible with the bat as well, but the surprise they sprung up was in their fielding, which has improved leaps and bounds. The pressure of playing India, and that too in the final of a big event will be a different proposition for their boys.

The head-to-head record between India and Pakistan outside Asia is pretty tight. India have won 16 of the 30 games they have played. There isn’t much of a gap and Pakistan’s best chance will be with momentum on their side. Sarfraz Ahmed, their skipper has hinted that Amir will be fit for the final and they could field a strong crop of pacers. The contest is being termed as the battle of the captains who had lifted the Under-19 world cup for their nation many years ago. Sarfraz Ahmed won it in 2006 for Pakistan, while Virat Kohli lifted the cup in 2008.

Stage:

The Oval, London

A few matches have been played at the Oval during this Champions Trophy. The venue has seen a mixture of low and high scores. However, the balance between ball and bat should be even. There are predictions of showers during the game. If rain stays persistent and prevents play from taking place, ICC has provisioned a reserve day, on Monday.

Acts:

Virat Kohli vs Hasan Ali

In their last meeting, Kohli took special liking to Hasan’s bowling at the death. In 17 balls, Kohli scooted him for 25 runs and pelted the quick for two sixes. Things have changed since then for Ali, who is now the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. His death bowling has improved, but Kohli too, has gone from strength to strength.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Mohammad Hafeez

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been pretty hard to get away off the new ball. He has swung the ball regularly and that too, both ways. It was against Pakistan that Bhuvi had made his international and ODI debut in 2012. He bowled Hafeez with a beautiful in-swinger that knocked Hafeez’ off stump out of its groove. Hafeez has got starts in the tournament, but will be tested by the sharp movement Bhuvi generates.

Shikhar Dhawan vs Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan has been the difference that Pakistan benefited from after their early loss to India. The left arm quick has been impeccable with his Yorkers during the final few overs, and has been tight early on in the innings too. Dhawan is one of India’s in-form batsmen at the top and knocking him over early will be one of the key plans for Junaid Khan.

Although the first meeting was completely one-sided, there’s something about the way Pakistan have risen since the loss. India are still the stronger side on paper, and it will be very hard for Pakistan to beat them. If Pakistan bowl the way they have in the last three games, we could have a relishing contest between bat and ball at our hands. The final begins at 3 PM, this Sunday. Keep yourself free for what could be a thrilling India-Pakistan final.