Team India experienced a significant injury concern during the eagerly awaited Champions Trophy match against their long-standing rivals, Pakistan. Senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami experienced discomfort in his right ankle and exited the field during the initial powerplay to seek medical assistance, although he later returned to play.

The incident occurred in the fifth over when Shami began to feel pain in his right ankle, prompting the physio to come onto the field for an assessment.

Following a brief examination, Shami managed to bowl the final two deliveries of the over, completing his spell. However, he subsequently left the field for further evaluation, with Washington Sundar taking his place.

Fortunately, Shami rejoined the game after the eighth over, providing a sense of relief for the Indian team, which is currently relying on only three primary fast bowlers in the squad.

Shami's performance at the start of the match was not ideal, as he struggled with his line and length, resulting in five wides during his opening over. Although he was able to extract some swing from the pitch, he was unable to maintain control, leading to a number of extras in an over that extended to 11 deliveries.

Skipper Rohit Sharma opted for Hardik Pandya as the first change in the bowling attack following Shami's departure from the field due to an ankle injury. The experienced pacer had recently returned to the Indian team during the series against England after recuperating from a back injury. To secure his place in the national squad after more than a year, he needed to demonstrate his match fitness in domestic cricket.

He commenced the Champions Trophy 2025 on a high note, achieving a remarkable five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in India's inaugural match.

Pakistan bat first against unchanged India

Earlier, Pakistan's captain Mohammed Rizwan won the toss and chose to bat first. Rohit Sharma experienced his 12th consecutive loss at the toss but expressed confidence in his team's ability to chase the target in Dubai.

"It doesn't really matter; they won the toss, so we will bowl first. The conditions appear similar to the previous match, with the pitch being on the slower side. Our batting unit is experienced, and we understand what is required if the pitches become slower. We need a comprehensive performance from the team, both with bat and ball. The last match was challenging for us, which is beneficial. It is important to be under pressure and test oneself," Rohit stated during the toss.

Pakistan made one alteration to their lineup from the previous match, bringing in Imam-ul-Haq to replace the injured Fakhar Zaman, who has been ruled out of the tournament. Conversely, India opted to maintain the same XI from the last match to preserve their successful combination.

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah Skips NCA Rehab, Present in Dubai for India-Pakistan Champions Trophy Encounter

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