India v Pakistan, Champions Trophy final. Well, if you are a cricket follower, born anywhere in the world, the gravitas attached to these words would mean a lot. Now if you are born in any of these two countries, it will add some more seriousness and weight. For a fan and follower like me, who lives in a disputed territory divided into two parts and each part controlled by these two nations, it should have been a neutral affair, but it is not, it probably carries more weight and the tension.
The India Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world. As per some estimates, it attracts upto one billion viewers, according to TV ratings firms and various other reports. Given the history between the two nations, it is not surprising why the game means a lot to their people or to the people of this disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, The fact that both the sides dont feature together much these days, except in the ICC events, nowadays matches are the source of higher fan frenzy.
No research is needed to prove that Pakistan cricket team is loved the most in Kashmir and I am n different. As a cricket freak and follower, this Sunday afternoon I too will be glued to my TV set to watch the game. I know India are stronger but Pakistan have shown in this tournament to upset big guns. While India has carried a balanced side throughout the tournament and relied on their traditional strong batting to win the games, Pakistan from somewhere has reignited that spark, they are known for, the strong bowling side. The emergence of Hassan Ali, who has that ability to scalp wickets in the middle overs, the inclusion of Junaid Khan, who surprisingly was dropped from the first game, to partner spearhead Mohammad Amir, has given this side a much needed strength. The addition of Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order has changed the things dramatically. Pakistani side which historically are known to be poor target chasers, fancy chasing targets these days, and has done that successfully thrice in a row now, after their bowlers restrict the opposition to a reasonable target to chase.
As a cricket fan, I would like this game to be an exciting one, going down the wire to the hundredth over, but the Pakistan fan in me wants it to be a one sided affair, dominated by Pakistan from ball one. The fact that Pakistan has been losing to India more often these days; it would be an ideal stage to take revenge. The Champions Trophy final and it doesnt come bigger than that!
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