Unpredictable Pakistan fancy chances vs formidable India

History is on the cusp of making as favourites and formidable India take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their first-ever Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday.

- Mohammad Abdullah, Senior Reporter

Overall, this will be the sixth time that the two sides will face off in the final of a tournament, featuring more than five teams, and the first one since the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy. Pakistan have better head-to-head record of 3-2.

Defending champions India have come into the final unbeaten on the back of six victories while Pakistan had to play a virtual semifinal against Bangladesh to seal their berth.

Pakistan had to labour for hard-fought victories against Lanka and Bangladesh but they lost twice only in the whole campaign, that too against India.

Pakistan have the uncanny habit of springing a surprise, especially when they have been written off since the 1992 World Cup. They are the most unpredictable side in modern day cricket.

In recent years, Pakistan's losing record against India stands at 15-2 - ODIs and T20s - put together. In T20, India have won 12 out of 15 matches, in the last nine games it is 7-2. In the last six ODIs, India won 5 while one was tied. Pakistan have not defeated India since 2018 in ODIs.