India wary of mercurial Pakistan in Champions Trophy finale

Arch-rivals face off in first major tournament final in 10 years on Sunday at The Oval

LONDON: Virat Kohli-led India are favourites to retain the Champions Trophy on Sunday, but they would probably have preferred to face different opponents than arch-rivals Pakistan in what is sure to be a highly-charged final.

The neighbouring countries have moved on from years of political conflicts but emotions will run high as millions of supporters around the world watch the first major final between two South Asian giants since the 2007 World T20.

Pakistan were the lowest-ranked side going into the tournament and produced a shambolic performance in their heavy opening defeat by India.

As they have done many times before, however, Pakistan suddenly found their form with wins over top-ranked South Africa and Sri Lanka before delivering an outstanding all-round display to stun previously unbeaten hosts England in the semi-finals.

India suffered a shock loss to Sri Lanka in the group stage before overwhelming Bangladesh in the semis and their captain Virat Kohli has been impressed by Pakistan's resurgence.

"Their turnaround has been magnificent," said Kohli. "Obviously, if you reach the finals you have to play some good cricket and credit to them, they've turned around things for themselves really well.”

Virat went on to praise the effort of the Sarfraz Ahmed’s men. "The belief just showed on the field the way they played together as a team and regardless of who you play in the finals, it's always going to be challenging because once you start thinking that it's a big game, then your mindset changes."

The Men in Blue, who defeated Pakistan by five runs in the T20I final 10 years ago, have been lifted by the outstanding batting form of the top order.

"What we are going to try to do is repeat the similar sort of cricket that we have played so far, knowing the strengths and weaknesses they have," said Kohli. "I don't think we need to look too far away from what we are doing as a group, focus on our skills and our abilities and believe in ourselves on that particular day."

Pakistan, without their leading fast bowler Mohammad Amir due to injury, strangled the usually free-scoring England batsmen on a slow wicket in Cardiff with a disciplined display of bowling and fielding.

The Oval pitch should be more favourable for batsmen but India, who have beaten Pakistan in eight of their 10 World Cup and Champions Trophy meetings, will not be complacent.

"We've seen some really surprising results and it's been amazing for the fans to watch and for the players to be a part of," said Kohli. "We played some really good cricket, but we're not going to take anything for granted for sure."

Pakistan's rejuvenation has been built around the runs of young opener Fakhar Zaman and the experienced Azhar Ali, while Hasan Ali and Junaid Khan stepped up to compensate for the absence of Amir who is expected to be fit for the final.

Captain Sarfraz said they had quickly forgotten the opening loss to India and simply focused on the next game in their bid to win the Champions Trophy for the first time.

"After the India match, we just motivated the guys," he said. "Don't worry about the India match. This is gone. If we play good cricket, definitely we will win this tournament."