India Will Beat Pakistan Hands Down: Sarfraz Ahmed's Uncle

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One year. It's an unbelievably long time to think about a match you are gonna play after that period.

The game that always creates war-like situation between Pakistan and India comes again when title-holders India face Pakistan will face off in the Champions Trophy final at London's Oval ground on Sunday.

The 1992 World Cup winners had the lowest seed of eighth before the event, but Arthur added: "We came here very, very firmly of the opinion that we wanted to come here and win it".

"India is in a great place and must be favoured to retain the ICC Champions Trophy but no-one should discount Pakistan".

Viewers in India can catch the ICC Champions Trophy on Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD, and DD National. After all, the Sarfraz-led unit entered the tournament as underdogs.

The first time I saw these two teams clash at a home venue was the 1996 World Cup quarter-final at Bangalore.

In one of those delicious ironies that sport often throws up, Miandad was Pakistan's coach, watching like a cat ready to pounce from the dressing-room balcony.

Kohli is confident that his middle-order comprising Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya, that has gone untested so far, will come good if "Law of Averages" catches up with them. The Indian middle order, on the other hand, have added almost 500 runs at a staggering rate of 90.6 runs per wicket. Having seen how friendly the players of each team were during this visit it wasn't hard to assume that left to the cricketers, any rift between the two countries would be quickly solved. This is an area that India will be targeting.

However, Amir has been passed fit by Pakistan, which would mean the fast bowler coming in for Raees in the playing XI for this final.

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One of India's most infamous wins over Pakistan, the tournament had been held to mark 25 years of Bangaldesh's independence.

Hasan was expensive in Pakistan's erstwhile encounter against India, but his current form is bound to infuse confidence in the Men in Green, going into the Finale.

Misbah then hit a full toss for six and victory was within Pakistan's grasp as they now needed six more runs off the remaining four balls.

Pakistan have managed to bounce back in this tournament, defeating South Africa and Sri Lanka in the group stages and England in the semi-finals to book a berth in the final. Zaman has struck 31, 50, and 57 and Azhar has made 9, 34, 76. Although gambling is illegal in most parts of the country, Indians can lay their bets on United Kingdom websites.

Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who entered the tournament at the back of a fruitful IPL, and Jaspreet Bumrah, have been bowling at meticulous lengths. On their day they can beat any side of the world. "Such a feat will encourage youth to take to the game and this feel good factor that cricket is able to create will have a positive impact on the psyche of the society". Their spinners prepared the ball for reverse swing (legally) on an abrasive Edgbaston wicket in the match against South Africa.

This has been the pattern ever since.

Most of the TV spots for the final, to be played in London, were pre-booked with firms such as Nissan Motor, Intel Corp, Emirates, Chinese mobile maker Oppo and Indian tyre maker MRF signed up as commercial partners for the tournament. He will undertake a fitness test before the final and if deemed fit, will have a daunting task ahead. Captain Kohli wished Indian hockey team for their tie.

On Sunday, India will meet Pakistan in the final of the Champions Trophy, an global cricket tournament played once every four years.

The match itself, which followed India's "bowl out" win after a group stage tie with Pakistan, was a classic. "They have an upper hand over us but this has to change and we will change that myth". A side that has picked itself up.

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