Pakistan enters the tournament as defending champions having won the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, defeating India in the final. While Pakistan has won the tournament once, India has won twice: in 2013 and in 2002,

The lop-sided nature of arguably cricket's fiercest rivalry in recent years notwithstanding, emotions in both countries will run high when bitter neighbours India and Pakistan clash in a Champions Trophy blockbuster in Dubai on Sunday.

Sunday’s Champions Trophy clash in Dubai promises a charged atmosphere with strong fan presence on both sides.

It is the biggest cricketing event on the annual calendar. It is the greatest rivalry in the sport. It is India vs Pakistan at an ICC world event.

India has refused to play its Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, which is hosting its first major global tournament in almost 30 years.

India vice-captain Shubman Gill on Saturday said the eagerly-awaited match against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy is a fan favourite, but for his team it's business as usual. Streets are deserted in India and Pakistan when the two play each other and Gill said he cannot deny the excitement among the fans.

Having begun their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a winning note, India will look to maintain their form against arch-rivals Pakistan, in Dubai on Sunday. Due to political tensions, India won’t be playing their matches in Pakistan,

Atul Wassan expressed his desire for Pakistan to win against India to enhance the tournament's competitiveness. He criticized India's coach Gautam Gambhir for not including Rishabh Pant in the playing XI,

Pakistan have hired a particular coach to help them get ready for Dubai conditions before the highly anticipated match against India.