There is a lot of anticipation around the India versus Pakistan fixture in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be held in Dubai on Sunday (February 23).

The last time Pakistan defeated India in an ODI match was the Champions Trophy 2017 final. Since then, the two sides have faced each other six times in the Asia Cups or the World Cups. While the Men in Blue have won five of those games, one match was abandoned due to rain.

In the ongoing Champions Trophy, the Men in Green suffered a 60-run defeat in their first game against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19). On the other hand, India opened their campaign with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Ahead of the marquee clash, former India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted the gulf in class between the two teams.

"Pakistan is nowhere near to India's league. India have dominated them right throughout in recent times, and this time, Pakistan look even weaker, but that hasn't done anything to take the shine off the battle," Manjrekar said in Hindi commentary during the Afghanistan vs South Africa Group B match when fellow commentator Deep Dasgupta asked him to pick one between India-Pakistan and Australia-England rivalry.

"Quality-wise, the England vs Australia match will be slightly better but if you ask any Indian and Pakistani fan they would definitely say Sunday's match. The fever is there," he added.

According to Manjrekar, Pakistan don't have the ideal bowling combination to trouble a strong Indian batting line-up in Dubai.

"You need spinners to succeed in these conditions and Pakistan only have one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed. They will bowl Salman Agha or Khushdil Shah but that won't be enough to trouble the Indian batters. Pace won't be able to have much of an impact," he stated.

Sunday's encounter is a must-win match for Pakistan to stay alive in the race for the semi-finals. As things stand at the moment in Group A, New Zealand are leading the points table with India at No.2 because the Kiwis have a superior net run-rate (NRR) of +1.200 compared to India's +0.408.

Bangladesh (-0.408) and Pakistan (-1.200) are holding the third and four positions, respectively in Group A standings.