While dropping his prediction, former spinner Harbhajan Singh has cautioned fans not to expect much entertainment in the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy on February 23. The tension and atmosphere are entirely different when the arch-rivals appear on the same field in search of glory. After playing out a nerve-wracking thriller in the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage, India and Pakistan will add a new chapter in their cut-throat rivalry on February 23 in Dubai.
India and Pakistan last met in the 2017 Champions Trophy final at The Oval, which Pakistan won to raise its first ICC Champions Trophy title and went down in history for a 180-run victory over its heated rival.
But this time, unlike the last time, Harbhajan doesn’t expect the “overhyped” match to go right down the wire, regarding the much-varied sides of both countries.
“We will discuss the overhyped match between India and Pakistan. Yes, it is overhyped because there is nothing in it. India is a strong team. Pakistan is inconsistent. If you compare the numbers with the Indian team, the picture will become clear,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
With the tournament lurking ahead, India seems to be a hot favorite- they have swept aside the ODI series 3-0 against England just on the cusp of the Champions Trophy.
On the other hand, there is Pakistan who upon home conditions lost the ODI Tri-nation series against South Africa and New Zealand. The hosts were completely routed by the Kiwis in the opening encounter but reached their rhythm by chasing down the mammoth sum of 353 runs against South Africa in Karachi.
In the final, New Zealand proved too good for the Men in Green, brushing aside all competition ahead of the tournament opener against Pakistan on Wednesday.
For Harbhajan, the contrast in the form both teams have put on display before the tournament is the reason for India’s upcoming success against Pakistan.
“I think Pakistan is undercooked. There are not many batsmen besides Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. I think it will be a one-sided game. There won’t be much in it for the entertainment. In this contest, I think India is far ahead,” he said.
