In taking three crucial wickets for the third consecutive game, Ali succeeded in completely derailing the home team's efforts and he was the major factor in restricting them to a score of just 211 - around 100 less than they would have expected - before the Pakistani batsmen comfortably finished off what their bowlers had started to reach the target easily.
That seemed to have worked on for them as they overcame both South Africa and Sri Lanka to enter the semis and then came out with a spectacular performance against hosts England to knock them out of the tournament and enter the summit clash.
They last played a bilateral series in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for two Twenty20 games and three one-day internationals.
"Yes, its a dream game for not only both the teams but also for the billions of fans and advertisers as well as organizers", said Azhar.
These matchups have traditionally been a contest between India batting and Pakistan bowling.
But he warned against India in the big final, Pakistan needed to bat first.
He enjoys calling people by playful nicknames and he can find humour in nearly every situation, even when we are spending hour after hour at another photo shoot, waiting for the photographer to be ready, then being told how and where to pose, then waiting some more, then being told we have to start the process all over again.
US Senate votes near unanimously for Russia, Iran sanctions
In an interview, he dismissed the proposed sanctions and said they reflect an internal political struggle in the United States. The US Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed tough sanctions on Russian Federation over alleged election meddling.
Kolkata: Pakistan's unexpected journey to the final of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy has more than one similarity to their 1992 World Cup triumph which was also a major upset of sorts. "Regardless of who you play in the finals, it's always going to be challenging because once you start thinking that it's a big game, then your mindset changes", added Kohli.
"India have the upper hand in ICC tournaments", said the former Pakistan all-rounder. "Obviously, we will have to plan a bit according to that, but I don't know if there's much that we need to change as a team", he said.
Azhar was confident that his players will good enough to give their best in the high-voltage encounter.
To this day, Pakistan has never beaten India at the World Cup. The batsmen look in prime form too and there's no doubt as to which team will head to the final as favourites.
However, India's star batsman said that the past would not have a bearing in the final and no team are guaranteed a win.
"Our execution has been great and we've attacked", Arthur said. "Our players are very good and they are better than players of the other teams", Hasan told ANI. "I would not think of changing anything at this particular stage", he added.
Pakistan's batting, unlike 1992, looked out-of-sorts and the inexperience showed as none could keep their composure in the face of Indian bowling battery losing by a mammoth 124 runs.
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