The big match

If the past holds any significance, we have a cracking match on hand when India meet Pakistan on Wednesday. The standings and the current fo...

If the past holds any significance, we have a cracking match on hand when India meet Pakistan on Wednesday. The standings and the current form of the two teams indicate that the script of the past two years is about to be repeated. After being almost certainly out of contention for the top spot, both teams would be looking to play more for pride than anything else. Pakistan are placed third with six points from three matches, while India have three.

India recently lost their 8-match bilateral test series 4-3 earlier this year.

PITCH BATTLES

Sohail Abbas vs Adrian D’Souza

Having equalled Australian Mark Hager’s record of all-time maximum goals in the Champions Trophy (32), the ace drag-flicker will be keen to break that mark against India. However, Sohail’s performance against Adrian is just about average. And the Indian custodian is in top form himself, having made some brilliant saves in both the matches he has played so far

Rehan Butt vs Dilip Tirkey

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The Pak forward has not had a good tournament so far. His team’s match-winner on many occasions, Rehan has appeared off-colour in his attacks along the right flank. A match against India may be just the motivation for him to regain form. Dilip Tirkey, the pillar of India’s defence, has been his usual efficient self and was solid against Germany on Tuesday

Waseem Ahmed vs Viren Rasquinha

Both teams have had good midfield games so far and the two players who have done an excellent job in trying to control the flow of matches are Rasquinha and Pak skipper Waseem Ahmed. Falling back to assist the defence or moving up to help the strikers, they’ve played their part almost to perfection

Sandeep Michael vs Muhammad Saqlain

Pak hockey’s enfant terrible will square up against India’s main striker. Advantage the talented Saqlain, given that India will be missing Gagan Ajit Singh and Prabhjot Singh

THE STATS: ADVANTAGE PAK India-Pakistan in the Champions Trophy

		• Karachi 1980: Pakistan (7-1) • Karachi 1982: India (5-4) • Karachi 1983: Pakistan (2-0) • Perth 1985: India (2-1) • Karachi 1986: India (3-2) • Berlin 1989: Pakistan (1-0) • Berlin 1995: Pakistan (2-1) • Chennai 1996: Pakistan (3-2) • Cologne 2002: India (3-2) • Cologne 2002: Pakistan (4-3) • Amsterdam 2003: India (7-4) • Amsterdam 2003: Pakistan (4-3)