IND vs PAK, Champions Trophy 2025: 'It's Do or Die' - Pakistan Pacer Haris Rauf Highlights Importance of India Clash

Haris Rauf has said the match against India in Champions Trophy 2025 will be a "do or die" clash for Pakistan, but the pacer gave their arch-rivals a reminder of previous results at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

After nearly a three-decade wait to host a global cricket tournament in it's nation, Pakistan is on the verge of elimination after a 60-run loss to New Zealand in their Group A opener in Karachi. Now, Pakistan head to Dubai to face their rivals India, who have got the number over their neighbours in most ICC events.

In 8 ODI World Cup matches, India is unbeaten against Pakistan, while the Men in Green have won three of five meetings against the Men in Blue in Champions Trophy. In T20 World Cup also, India has a 7-1 record against Pakistan.

If Pakistan continues to maintain it's shambolic record against India on Sunday (February 23), then the host nation will need plenty of permutations and combinations to work in it's favour to keep their title defence alive.

Haris Rauf underlined the importance of the clash against India and made it clear that the only way for the defending champions to move forward in the Champions Trophy is by finishing triumphant over their arch-rival.

"If we want to move forward in the tournament, we must defeat India. This is a do-and-die match for us," Haris told journalists at the team hotel before their first practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai, as quoted by Geo News.

Pakistan failed to chase down 321 in the tournament opener. Haris Rauf further emphasised the need for his teammates to put their past result behind them and carry forward the lessons they gained from the mistakes against the Kiwis.

"The New Zealand match is history. We must not repeat the errors that cost us. Our focus is on winning this match and securing a spot in the semi-finals," Rauf added.

Pakistan had beaten India in the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai, and Haris assured that the Men in Green would aim to replicate that in their upcoming fixture. "We have beaten India here before, and we'll try to do it again. Every player is determined to give their best performance," Raud said.