India vs Pakistan: Will the toss nemesis prove a costly blow to the Men in Blue?

In the high-intensity clash against Pakistan, India registered this dubious record by losing the toss for the 12th time in a row in ODIs. In fact, the Men in Blue have become the first team in the history of the game to suffer such a prolonged run of toss defeats. The previous record was held by the Netherlands, who lost 11 consecutive tosses between March 2011 and August 2013. England also suffered 9 consecutive toss losses between January and September 2023.

Winning the toss, Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan opted to ask India to bowl first in this crucial match at the Dubai International Stadium.

As of the 34th over, Pakistan are sitting comfortably at 154/3, with Shakeel and Agha looking solid at the crease. On a pitch where a target of around 270 runs appears defendable, Indian bowlers have had an ordinary outing so far. Losing the toss could prove costly for India, as their batters may come under pressure in this high-stakes contest.

All eyes are now firmly on Dubai.

Pitch Report:

According to the curators, the pitch is on the slower side, with a hint of spin. However, pacers are also expected to take wickets, as the ball isn't coming onto the bat as expected. Slower bouncers may well come in handy. Based on what has been seen so far in the match, brisk scoring appears difficult, meaning the team that bowls well is likely to come out on top.