Dubai [UAE], February 22 : Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed said that the clash is "beyond a game" and it is the best time for the team and its individuals to make a mark as they battle pressure of playing in this virtual knockout clash after loss to New Zealand in the campaign opener.
The game is a high-stakes battle for both teams, as while Pakistan will try to keep their title defence alive, India will aim to almost confirm its berth in the semis. The game is also being touted as an opportunity for India to avenge the loss of the 2017 Champions Trophy Final when Virat Kohli's men were deprived of putting their hands on the ICC trophy.
Unlike the 50-over and T20 World Cups, Pakistan holds a 3-2 advantage over India in the Champions Trophy. The most notable encounter remains the 180-run triumph in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, which makes Sunday's game even more exciting for fans from both sides of the border.
Ahead of the game in the pre-match presser, Aaqib said, "There is no game you can say you play without pressure. The first game we lost, okay. New Zealand is a very strong team. They have good balance and it doesn't make any difference. After losing a game there is another good chance for you to win and win the third one and make it to the semis. Again, India and Pakistan does not matter. It is a knockout or whatever. It is beyond a game and that is the beauty of India-Pakistan cricket. And if you look at the positive, I think that is the best time and best chance for any individual or a team to make a mark. We used to love it and all the players are waiting for the opportunity to rise and rise above the bar."
Speaking on the absence of their left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman due to injury after campaign opener, Aaqib said that while there is no doubt that he is a match-winner, nearly every team is missing their match-winners in this tournament due to injuries.
"You cannot depend on only one player. We will still play as a good, strong team and try to win and try to play good, positive cricket," he added.
The coach also said that while the other teams have more spin options and Pakistan has much fewer options in that department, the teams will play their games on their own strength and Pakistan has their own strength as well, pace specialist trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
"It reminds me of the 90's. So, I think reaching that level still they have time, but they have all the ability to repeat those sorts of performances. So pretty much confident and I think when you play against India it is a special feeling and I think they will bring something very special tomorrow," he added.
Aaqib also said that while India has plan to play 3-4 spinners, Pakistan will play its game based on a team selected on their beliefs.
"We will back this team. Our fast-bowling options are the best. These are the match winners. It is not necessary to follow the same strategy as the other teams. And these are match winners, so it is not necessary that the other team should do the same," he added.
Speaking on pressure related to India-Pakistan matches, he said that if pressure is taken out of the equation, what is left in this rivalry?
"Taking pressure is the job of the players. If you remove this pressure, what's left in Pakistan-India game? Passion and pressure is what is needed to show a player his performance," he concluded.
India squad for CT2025: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pakistan squad for CT2025: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.