IND vs PAK Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma-led side must teach Rizwan & Co. a hard lesson again | Opinion

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IND vs PAK Champions Trophy 2025: Famous American author Mike Marqusee travelled through the sub-continent during the 1996 World Cup and wrote a book: War Minus The Shooting.

For someone who was not necessarily into cricket writing in a purse sense, Late Mike wanted to understand the nature of battles featuring India and Pakistan, notably.

At that time, visiting Sri Lanka was also scary for the Australians, as the state of terror perpetuated by the LTTE was serious. The LTTE has now been wiped out and Sri Lanka is a safe tourist destination now.

Sadly, Pakistan is not a safe country, still, for many reasons. It is a terror state and one which believes in perpetuating acts of terror against India. This time, though, Pakistan seem 'terrorised' as they face India in the Champions Trophy 2025 high-stakes match in Dubai on Sunday (February 23).

Nothing has changed since the time Pakistan jointly hosted the World Cup final in 1996. If anything, law and order at home have worsened, and more terror factories have erupted in Pakistan. Pakistanis, themselves, have fled their nation and stepped out to other countries for greener pastures.

Those still holding Pakistani passports and wanting to play cricket for their country realise, that facing India in Dubai is not easy. Sample two quotes from two Pakistanis, Aaquib Javed and Mohsin Naqvi, a liar who needs no introduction.

That Naqvi lied to the PCB and the world about Pakistan being ready two months back they were ready to host matches has been exposed. Now, both Aaquib and Naqvi say they will "surprise India."

If that is to be understood correctly, then the Pakistan team has no faith in their own abilities. They see India as more than a threat. To defeat India is like 'war' for them, that's the DNA of the Pakistanis. Imagine, their Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif calling for the hosts to beat India. Sharif claimed the real task for Rizwan & Co. isn't just winning the Champions Trophy, but beating India as well.

"We have a very good side and they have done well in recent times but the real task now is to not only win the Champions Trophy but also defeat our arch-rival, India in the upcoming match in Dubai. The entire nation stands behind them," Sharif said few days back. If they were confident, the PM wouldn't have to add the extra pressure.

Indeed, when the two teams stepped on the turf, 'War Minus The Shooting' is the theme, to borrow a phrase from Mike's book. This rivalry can play out only in an ICC event since bilateral contests are impossible.

It is to India's credit and that of ICC chairman Jay Shah, this Champions Trophy is on. The tricky Pakistanis must also thank Dubai and the United Arabe Emirates, they agreed to play hosts.

There was and is no way India will travel to Pakistan for any sporting contest. For a nation which believes in terror and killing, any sporting link is a curse. It is the nature of the beast, a contest between two nations who were 'one' before partition that India and Pakistan play cricket matches.

Sample the voice notes and quotes from Pakistan on social media. Their 'handles' stink, they think a cricket contest is won on X and Insta and other social media platforms. If intent be exemplified by practice and preparation, Virat Kohli was at nets in Dubai for more than four hours on Saturday in Dubai.

He wants to score and he wants to deliver. King Kohli, Rohit Sharma and the entire team are ready for Pakistan. The preparation for the mother and father of all battles has been intense. Now, it is about delivering the KO punch.

Dubai is cool but once cricketing action begins on Sunday afternoon it will get hot. The conditions will be tricky, though India, having registered one win already, leading to 'Burnol' moments for Pakistan. They can cry on anything and everything.

They are slimes and on Saturday were highlighting Rohit Sharma's paunch and saying he is unfit. These Pakistanis do not know that if Rohit scores quick runs at the top and can lead with his cool temperament, he will ensure Pak cringe/weep. They need to recall pictures of Inzamam-ul-Haq as well, he was 'aloo,' the potato version of fat!

Cricket in Pakistan is passionate and intense. They have heartburn as they don't have the money -- players and the PCB. To win against India is like a war won for them. For India, it is just another match. They step into this contest high on confidence.

For sheer star value, India stand head and shoulders above every single Pakistani worth his salt. Each bit of action will be tracked through millions of human eyes today. It is, as if, this one contest will define the whole Champions Trophy.