India and Pakistan are poised to replay their historic rivalry in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday, February 23, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The much-awaited duel pits the finalists of last year’s edition against each other, with India looking to level the scores after winning only two of their five meetings with Pakistan in the history of the tournament.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will be at the helm of the Indian side, who will be keen to give a strong show, while Babar Azam’s Pakistan will try to continue their superiority in the tournament. Cricket legends from both countries have predicted their favourites for top performers as anticipation mounts for this high-voltage Group A encounter.

Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh thinks that Shubman Gill will be the highest run-scorer, while Mohammed Shami will be the most successful bowler. Pakistani legends Shahid Afridi and Inzamam-ul-Haq have also supported their own players, with Afridi choosing Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the highest run-scorer and wicket-taker, respectively.

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Inzamam also trusted Babar while picking Haris Rauf as the prime bowler. When asked who would deliver a match-defining moment, Yuvraj nominated Hardik Pandya, highlighting his capability of turning matches around with his all-round talent. Afridi nominated Mohammad Rizwan, whereas Inzamam picked Fakhar Zaman, remembering his tendency to deliver in crucial matches.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙄𝙨 𝙊𝙣! 🇮🇳🆚🇵🇰 Ahead of #INDvPAK in #ChampionsTrophy, #YuvrajSingh, #NavjotSinghSidhu, #ShahidAfridi and #InzamamulHaq take their picks, in a fun, rapid-fire round! 💥

Who will ace this #GreatestRivalry? ✍👇

‘𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗥𝗬… pic.twitter.com/qzhGr8ovvy

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 16, 2025

Mohammad Rizwan, the current captain of Pakistan’s white-ball sides, and Zaman, Pakistan’s opening bat, will be the players to watch. Evaluating the Dubai conditions, Yuvraj opined that Pakistan could have an edge since they are well-acquainted with the ground. But statistics favour India, as the Men in Blue have won five of their six ODIs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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When the two teams last clashed in Dubai, in 2018 during the Asia Cup, India defeated them comprehensively by nine wickets, backed by Rohit Sharma’s 111* and Shikhar Dhawan’s 114 centuries. As the two teams gear up for another all-time clash, cricket enthusiasts from across the globe are waiting in anticipation for another instalment of this intense and etched rivalry.