Team Pakistan is nowhere near India's league: Sanjay Manjrekar
What's the story
As the cricketing world looks forward to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has given his two cents.
He said Pakistan are "nowhere near India's league" at this stage of the tournament.
This comes after India's confident six-wicket victory over Bangladesh and Pakistan's crushing 60-run defeat to New Zealand.
Bowling critique
Manjrekar critiques Pakistan's bowling attack
During his commentary in the Afghanistan vs South Africa match, Manjrekar took a dig at Pakistan's bowling attack.
"Pakistan is nowhere near to India's league. India have dominated them right throughout in recent times, and this time, Pakistan look even weaker," Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo,
He further said Pakistan's faster bowlers had seen better days and there is almost nothing in the team's spin department.
Bowling prowess
Manjrekar highlights India's superior middle-over bowling
Further, Manjrekar highlighted India's better middle-over bowling attack than Pakistan's.
He noted that Pakistan have just one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed.
"You need spinners to succeed in these conditions and Pakistan only have one specialist spinner," he said.
However, in the Champions Trophy match between India and Bangladesh, the pitch turned out to be slow and grassless, providing more help to spinners than quicker bowlers.
Unbeaten streak
India's longest unbeaten streak against Pakistan
The last time Pakistan defeated India in an ODI was in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
Since then, in six Asia Cup/World Cup meetings, India have won five while one was washed out due to rain.
This is India's longest unbeaten streak against their neighbors in 50-over cricket.
Record dominance
India dominates head-to-head record against Pakistan
Since 2011, India and Pakistan have clashed in 15 ODIs. India have won 10 of these matches while Pakistan have only four wins to their name.
The India match is important for Pakistan after their 60-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening match.
Meanwhile, India would be high on confidence after a comfortable win against Bangladesh.