Champions Trophy 2025, IND vs PAK: Arshdeep Singh comes in for Harshit Rana, Imam-ul-Haq replaces Fakhar Zaman

Arshdeep Singh for Harshit Rana

Arshdeep Singh might get a look in against Pakistan in Dubai. (Sportzpics)

The Indian team management will be dealing with a pace-dilemma before the toss. Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana is not an easy choice since they are contrastingly different bowlers. Conditions and opposition is a factor but both Arshdeep and Harshit will have a challenge at hand when bowling against the Pakistan batsmen in Dubai. Rana was excellent against Bangladesh, where the Delhi pacer registered his best ODI figures 3 for 31. But India would love to bring in Arshdeep Singh, who has the ability to move the new ball. Arshdeep has made a habit of producing rippers like the Babar Azam’s wicket in his first-ever World Cup (2022) delivery for instance. In the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, Arshdeep was the leading wicket taker with 20 wickets.

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Imam-ul-Haq replaces Fakhar Zaman

AUS vs PAK World Cup 2023 Live Score: Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq run between the wickets during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and Australia. (PTI)

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq trains in Dubai. (PCB | X)

Pakistan’s bid to defend their Champions Trophy title has suffered a major setback as opening batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to an oblique injury. Imam, 29, who has represented Pakistan in 72 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), was named as Fakhar’s replacement after the approval from ICC technical committee. Fakhar Zaman was forced to leave the field just two deliveries into the match against New Zealand on Wednesday, after suffering a muscular injury while fielding. He had chased a ball toward the boundary, stopped it, and then threw it to Babar Azam, but immediately appeared to feel discomfort. Zaman walked off the field with the physio, although he did so unaided, and later returned to the field. While batting, he continued to feel discomfort and was checked again by the physio. He struggled to run between the wickets and was eventually dismissed for 24 off 42 deliveries by Bracewell.

Mohammad Hasnain could be a surprise

Pakistan’s Mohammad Hasnain, center, and teammates celebrate after the dismissal of South Africa’s Temba Bavuma during the tri-series ODI cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa, in Karachi, Pakistan. (AP)

The highly impressive Pakistan pace department in this Champions Trophy has been injury prone. The adversity has helped the team showcase its depth. Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah has been injury prone. With only spinner in their rank Pakistan captain Moammad Rizwan has two options: Express pacer and proud member of the 150 kph Club Mohammad Hasnain or old hand Faheem Ashraf. Pakistan can also go with a four-prong pace attack, Hasnain would be opening the bowling attack with Shaheen. If that happens, leave aside everything and watch the first 10 overs of Pakistan innings. Express Pak pacers vs World Class Indian Top 3 will be a face-off to relish.

India vs Pakistan Predicted XI

India predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami

Pakistan predicted XI: Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed/Mohammad Hasnain