Will rattle India with pace, says skipper Sarfraz
best against Pakistan and vice versa because that (performance) has value and is remembered for a long time. It is a highly charged match.”
India have never lost a 50-over World Cup or Twenty20 showdown against Pakistan, and a win on Sunday would put them in good stead in a tough group also including Sri Lanka and South Africa.
But Pakistan have won two of their three Champions Trophy showdowns against India, ratcheting up the pressure on the tournament’s defending champions.
“It’s not cricket, it’s war. I hope Kohli’s men beat them fair and square in Birmingham,” said cricket fan Bahjat Nomani.
The element of surprise, once a given between the two sides, has been eroded by technology, which allows the rivals to study each other even without meeting on the pitch, said batting great Sunil Gavaskar.
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has said his players are trying to take no pressure and remain confident ahead of their high-profile and muchawaited clash against arch-rivals India in their Champions Trophy opener, which is slated to be held at the Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.
“We are trying to stay relaxed and not take pressure. It is important to be relaxed and confident before every big game, to keep the nerves in check,” the Dawn quoted Sarfraz as saying.
Talking about the bowling combination he would like to go with against the Virat Kohli-led side, the 30-year-old said that they would unleash their best pace attack after reading the pitch on the match day.
“It depends on how the pitch looks before the game. We will unleash our best pace attack, maybe three or four fast bowlers if needed, or a combination of spin and pace,” said Sarfraz.
The wicket-keeper-batsman vowed that his side would make the country proud .
ANI