Form, rankings, even the bookies, favour India. But Pakistan have improved beyond recognition since captain Kohli’s boys mauled them in the group game. Here’s why the 2017 Champions Trophy final at the Kennington Oval, London could be both unpredictable and special:
Wish Team India best of luck1. India have won 4 of the last 5 ODIs against Pakistan. In Indo-Pak encounters played in England, India holds a 3-1 advantage.
But in CT, the two are even at 2-2.2.
It’s Indian batters vs Pak bowlers: Pakistanis figure among the top five wicket-takers.
1st: Hasan Ali (10 wickets, av: 17.2).
4th: Junaid Khan (7 wickets at 19.3).
3.
Indians are among the top five run getters:| PLAYER | RUNS | AV | STRIKE RATE |
| Shikhar Dhawan | 317 | 79.3 | 102.3 |
| Rohit Sharma | 304 | 101.3 | 87.6 |
| Virat Kohli | 253 | 253 | 100.4 |
4.India has played the most CT finals for any side. For Pakistan, it is a first. (At the Oval, teams chasing win almost 60% games).
STAT OF THE DAY: The ICC estimates that the match will be watched by 324m worldwide, which will make it the third most-watched match in cricket history after the 2011 World Cup fi nal (India-Lanka, 558m) and semifi nal (India-Pakistan, 495m)
BATTLE OF THE DAY: Kohli vs Junaid.
Kohli has scored only 2 runs off 22 balls against Pak pacer Junaid and been dismissed thrice. Will he set the record straight?
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