/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/image 59.png)
/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/2024/12/10/2024-12-10t072017470z-umesh-photo.jpg )
Follow Us/sportsinfo/media/media_files/2025/02/23/lyEzjSRJktf4wLoZzTXQ.png)
Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Rizwan greet each other at the time of toss for IND vs PAK clash(File Photo: X)
The arch-rivals India and Pakistan are playing each other in the high-profile clash in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at DICS in Dubai. Both teams are coming off different results in their respective campaign openers against New Zealand and Bangladesh, respectively. Pakistan lost to the Blackcaps by a 60-run margin while India defeated Bangladesh by 6 wickets.
Meanwhile, the former legendary India spinner Anil Kumble came up with a brutal and massive statement while speaking about the competition and level of quality in the India vs Pakistan clash.
“I don't see how Pakistan can look India in the eye” – Anil Kumble
Kumble didn’t hesitate to come up with a hard-and-fast-lined stance while expressing his views about Pakistan’s batting line-up. He also questioned the quality of the Men in Green in comparison to Team India.
“I don't think this Pakistan line-up has that quality. When it comes to having that, not intimidation, [but] you had that respect of playing Pakistan, knowing that you had the quality. Now it's the other way around. I don't see how Pakistan can look India in the eye in terms of their ability to put a batting line-up that can intimidate the Indian bowlers,” said Anil Kumble to ESPNcricinfo before the India vs Pakistan game.
Speaking of the current action of the ongoing India vs Pakistan game in Dubai, the Men in Green are batting first after winning the toss and have already lost the wickets of both openers, Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq. They have scored 69 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 15.4 overs, with Saud Shakeel and skipper Mohammad Rizwan there in the middle, at individual scores of 14 and 9 runs, respectively.
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya scalped the big wicket of star Pakistan batter Babar Azam followed by Imam-ul-Haq's dismissal in a run-out owing to the stunning direct hit executed by Axar Patel.
Notably, the game against the arch-rivals India is a must-win and all-important game for Pakistan to keep their hopes alive for the semi-final qualification in the prestigious cricket quadrennial.