ICC Champions Trophy 2017: India vs Pakistan, Combined XI

After a two-year hiatus, the time for the quintessential clash of the Asian titans in an ICC event has arrived. India against Pakistan has become synonymous with the global cricketing events as another chapter is waiting to be unfolded today in Birmingham.

If the weather permits, we have a belter of a clash on our hands as India will begin their defence of the Champions Trophy title against a Pakistan side which has just made it to the competition.

Both these sides have selection dilemma aplenty as Indian captain Virat Kohli has to choose between Yuvraj Singh or Dinesh Karthik and also has to drop one of Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami or Jasprit Bumrah. Pakistan, on the other hand, have to decide between playing the hard hitting Faheem Ashraf or spinner Imam Wasim.

So ahead of the blockbuster encounter of the arch enemies, let's take a look at the combined lineup of India and Pakistan based on form and fitness:

Openers

Azhar Ali has been a consistent performer for Pakistan

Shikhar Dhawan has proven himself in the major ICC events and was also the man of the series in the last Champions Trophy. He has performed well in the practice games, scoring 40 against New Zealand and a quickfire 60 against Bangladesh. He likes the English conditions where the ball comes on to the bat nicely and also has a good track record against Pakistan. He is an easy choice over the inconsistent Ahmed Shehzad.

Azhar Ali, the former Pakistan one-day captain has been in good form since in the last year or so and has consistently delivered for them at the top of the batting order with his traditional style of play.

He is as old school as it gets and can form a brilliant right-hand left-hand combination in this mixed eleven. Ali can be the player who keeps the scoreboard ticking and is selected ahead of Rohit Sharma as the IPL winning captain didn't have a decent IPL individually and also faltered in the warm up game.

Middle order

Kohli has a good track record against Pakistan

Virat Kohli can slot in any combined lineup in the world as his superlative form combined with his brilliant run against Pakistan makes him an instant choice and a captain-elect for this team. Kohli averages over 40 against today's opponents and has two centuries against them with the last one coming in the 2015 World Cup.

Though he bats usually at number 3, Babar Azam will have to be a satisfied with a two down spot. Azam has been Pakistan's best batsman of late and has scored 436 runs in 8 ODIs this year. He is currently ranked seventh in the world and this left-hander is a must have in the combined eleven.

Pakistan have an in-form and solid middle order on whom rests the responsibility to win a game. They can have a good Champions Trophy if their dependable middle order again fires for them. Shoaib Malik has been an experienced campaigner and has been chipping in with valuable contributions in the middle this year. He also loves scoring against India which is proved by his average of near 50 against the Blues and it was Malik who won the game for Pakistan with his knock of 128, the last time they beat India in an ICC event.

It is a tough call between MS Dhoni and Pakistani captain Sarfraz Ahmed but the Indian warhorse beats Ahmed to the wicketkeeping spot. Dhoni is a match winner and just as Ahmed, can play spin well. A game of this stature needs temperament and the ability to turn the game on its head which Dhoni has shown time and again in his career.

All-rounder

Pandya beats Ashraf for the all rounder’s spot

Another tough call between Hardik Pandya and Faheem Ashraf. Both have done tremendously well to garner a starting berth for their respective sides. Pandya scored a brilliant 84 against Bangladesh to finish the innings on a high whereas Ashraf did the same with a 30-ball 64 against the Tigers.

But Pandya beats Ashraf to this spot because of his contribution with the ball. He has been in good wicket-taking form since the turn of the calendar year whereas Ashraf struggled with the ball in the warm-up game against Bangladesh.

Bowlers

Hasan Ali has taken 18 ODI wickets in 2017

Considering the venue and the conditions at Edgbaston, four pacers will be included in this lineup which has also been the norm so far in the competition, proved by the team selection of England, Australia and New Zealand.

First up is Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has been spearheading the Indian pace attack and has done that exceedingly well. His bowling at the death can be said as being one of the best in the business and he is also in a brilliant form which is evident by his heroics in the IPL and in the warm-up games.

Mohammad Amir is a perfect bowler for any team to have in the overcast English conditions. If there is any purchase available for the bowler, the left arm pacer can wreck havoc. A duo of Kumar and Amir can help a side against any batting lineup in the world as both have them have proved their worth in the international circuit.

Jasprit Bumrah has all the tools in his kit to become the best death bowler in the world and his recent good performances with the new ball make the Mumbai man a must have in the team. Bumrah has been consistent in this format for the Blues and beats Wahab Riaz to this spot as the left-arm pacer has proved to be inconsistent and costly in the recent past. Bumrah is India's X-factor going into this tournament as this event might finally elevate him to the next level.

Hasan Ali has been Pakistan's wicket-taking bowler this year as his 18 wickets in 2017 make him the most successful bowler for his side this year. He is also the fourth highest in the world in the number of wickets taken as it is his ability to take wickets at crucial intervals which makes him the final player in this eleven.