Dubai, February 22 (HS): After the defeat against New Zealand in the first match of the Champions Trophy, the Pakistan team is preparing for the match against the in-form Indian team at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Sunday (February 23). Pakistan defeated India twice in Dubai in October 2021 and September 2022, although the format of the tournament was different.

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf told reporters ahead of the team's practice session at the ICC Academy on Friday evening, We have beaten India twice in Dubai. We will aim to make it three and repeat those performances. We are confident, and it will be a great match.

One of the two matches was a league match of the T20 World Cup which Pakistan won by 10 wickets and the other was the Super Four Asia Cup competition in which the Men in Green team emerged victorious by five wickets.

However, India have an edge over Pakistan in all ICC events in ODIs and Sunday's match comes on the back of a crushing defeat at home against New Zealand. Rauf understands the importance of this encounter.

What's past is past. Now we are focusing on the match against India. We will correct the mistakes we made in the last match and try not to repeat them. This is an important match for us; a do or die match. We have to win this match to make it to the semi-finals, he said.

Rauf is one of the key bowlers and a senior member of the Pakistan team. He feels the morale of the team is high ahead of this match. The morale has not gone down; all the players will work hard and give their best. This is an important match and we will aim to do well in all departments - batting, bowling and fielding. There is no extra pressure; we are relaxed. We will take it like just another match, he said.

Rauf conceded 83 runs in 10 overs and New Zealand scored 320 runs in the match. This was the first global match on Pakistani soil in 29 years. There was a lot of uproar in the country after this match and all the players faced severe criticism on national and social media. The 31-year-old also made it clear that there is no problem with his fitness and he is ready.

He said, As far as my fitness is concerned, you must have seen the last match - I bowled all 10 overs.

He further said, Yes, Pakistan's fast bowlers have a good record, but it also depends on the track. Sometimes, it can also help spin. We need to use the conditions accordingly. When we go to the field, we will assess the pitch and see what it needs. We will plan accordingly for each batsman.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar