ICC Champions Trophy final: 3 things Virat Kohli's India must be wary of vs Pakistan
London: India and Pakistan are set to clash in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday, 10 years after India’s triumph over their arch-rivals in the ICC World Twenty20 2007. This will be their second meeting in this tournament.
Virat Kohli's India will seek to defend the title, whereas Sarfraz Ahmed's Pakistan aim to clinch the only ICC trophy they have not won.
Here, we look at three things India need to do in order to beat Pakistan.
Dismiss Fakhar Zaman early
Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has had a decent run in this tournament so far. In the three matches he has played, he has scored two half centuries, 50 vs Sri Lanka, and 57 against England in the semifinal. In his debut against South Africa too he scored 31. So, the two 50s mean that the 27- year- old is making an improvement in his early days.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed: The X factor
Sarfraz Ahmed has been instrumental as Pakistan captain in this tournament. He has led his team to victories under pressure, with the recent one when he cruised through Sri Lanka’s mighty Malinga and co, to win by 3 wickets and march onto last 4.
Again, his captaincy played a very important role in restricting England to 211 in the semifinals, and taking the team to the summit clash.
Even behind the wickets, Sarfraz Ahmed has done a good job, despite the rest of the team displaying sloppy fielding at times. Summing it up, captain Sarfraz Ahmed could be dangerous for India.
Hasan Ali: Bowling at his best
Pakistan medium pacer Hasan Ali has had a good run in the Champions Trophy so far, having taken 10 wickets in four matches. This includes taking three wickets each against South Africa, Sri Lanka and England, with the one wicket coming against India in their tournament opener.
Altogether, in the 20 One Day Internationals he has played, he has scalped 39 wickets at a decent economy rate of 5.57. The Indian batsmen should be wary of him too, because he can be a man full of surprises.
