AFP Asia

Die-hard South Korean fans cheer and clap as their favourite superheroes strike poses in brightly coloured uniforms to the sounds of a soulful Japanese ballad, a nostalgic throwback to the days of VHS.It has been decades since Japanese superhero series “Choudenshi Bioman” was last on TV, but its epic stories of good versus evil still resonate deeply for these South Korean millennials.And while their masked heroes are now well into their sixties, a chance to meet them in person at a sold-out concert hall event this month in Seoul was too good to pass up — even with ticket prices starting at 300,000 won ($210).”Most of us here are office workers, and though the ticket price wasn’t cheap, it wasn’t beyond our means as lifelong fans,” said Oh Myung-hoon, 39.”It wasn’t a matter of choice for fans like me. It was a must.”Part of the “Super Sentai” series, better known to Western audiences as the inspiration for the “Power Rangers” phenomenon of the 1990s, “Choudenshi Bioman” and its companion shows tell the story of a group of people with special powers fighting supervillains intent on world domination.The show was broadcast at a time of Japan’s transformation into a global cultural powerhouse, its animation and film studios producing content seen the world over.But many Korean fans of “Choudenshi Bioman” were initially not even aware the show was Japanese.- Japanese imports banned -For decades, South Korea imposed sweeping restrictions on Japanese cultural imports due to historical tensions stemming from Tokyo’s colonial rule over the peninsula in the early 20th century.It was not until 1998 — more than half a century after Korea’s independence — that Seoul began lifting its ban on Japanese media content.Japanese superhero series — best known in South Korea through “Bioman” and “Flashman” — were among the few exceptions to the ban and imported on VHS tapes, making them a rare and cherished phenomenon in the 1980s and 1990s.Even so, authorities required all Japanese text in the series to be replaced with Korean and the voices dubbed, effectively erasing any trace of their Japanese origins.This allowed the series to thrive in an era when anti-Japanese sentiment remained strong, media columnist Kim Do-hoon told AFP.”The media that dominated my youth was all Japanese, like the animation ‘Galaxy Express 999’, but they had to appear Korean through dubbing,” the 49-year-old said.”The 1970s and 80s were an era of peak anti-Japan sentiment, with the belief that anything related to Japan was bad.”But “thanks to South Korea’s strong cultural exports and vibrant economy” times have changed, he added.Some scenes managed to avoid the censorship and showed Japanese characters in the background — puzzling young Korean kids.Cha Jeong-in, a 39-year-old game developer, admits she was confused by the “unrecognisable letters”.”I asked myself ‘what is it?'” she told AFP.”I later learned it was all made in Japan.”- Good triumphs over evil -For the actors who starred in the hero series, the heartfelt reception in Seoul was both exhilarating and perplexing — especially in a country where Japanese content was once heavily censored. “I had never expected something like this to happen 40 years after filming, so I was really surprised,” said Kazunori Inaba, who played Red Mask in “Maskman”.The 68-year-old former actor, who now runs a ramen restaurant in Tokyo, said it was “difficult” for him to account for the devoted following his decades-old fantasy drama still enjoys in South Korea.”If this work that we did can be a good bridge between Japan and Korea, then we have done a really good job,” he told AFP.”I think heroes are really important, especially when you’re a child. As you grow up, you forget about them,” he said.”But rewatching them can help bring back the memories.”Game developer Cha said she spent $1,500 to come to Seoul from the Philippines, where she now lives.”I thought that if I missed this chance, I’d never be able to see them face to face in my lifetime because of their advanced age,” she told AFP.”They all taught me that good always triumphs over evil and that I must not choose the path of wrongdoing,” Cha said.”They instilled those values in me.”

The quest of millions seeking salvation at the world’s largest religious festival has also been a golden opportunity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to burnish Hindu nationalist credentials.Undeterred by packed trains, sold-out hotels, stomach-churning faecal matter measurements in rivers used for ritual bathing, and two deadly stampedes that killed dozens, the Hindu faithful descended on the city of Prayagraj for the six-week-long Kumbh Mela.They were welcomed by the ubiquitous presence of Modi on giant billboards flanked by firebrand Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath, 52, the chief minister of India’s largest state of Uttar Pradesh — and viewed by many as the prime minister’s potential successor.Both men say the millennia-old festival which ends Wednesday has been the “grandest” yet, bolstering their portrayal of themselves as stewards of Hindu resurgence and national prosperity.Above the sea of people at sprawling campsites, loudspeakers trumpet the achievements of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).That is the take-home message for many of the pilgrims, who — at least according to eyebrow-raising figures from Adityanath’s state government — numbered more than 560 million.”We are just thankful to Modi and Yogi for their great work,” said Satendar Singh, 60, who travelled from Bihar state to bathe where Ganges and Yamuna rivers meet.”Only they will return to power now, no one else can replace them.”- ‘Kings’ -As well as Modi and Adityanath, a host of political leaders, business tycoons and Bollywood stars have made national headlines with a holy dip since the festival opened on January 13.The festival’s success was paramount for Modi and Adityanath, whose fortunes are linked to support from India’s one-billion-plus Hindus and, critics say, the marginalisation of its estimated 200 million Muslim minority.Modi, elected for his third consecutive term last year, has championed a Hindu nationalist agenda intertwining the majority religion with politics and economy.The Kumbh Mela, held at Prayagraj every 12 years, is the biggest milestone on the Hindu calendar.Modi, speaking before the festival, said previous governments “did not care” about the festival and pointed out that his administration “respects the culture and hence sees it as a responsibility to provide all the facilities for devotees”.The BJP has long pushed massive projects in key Hindu pilgrimage sites including Ayodhya, also in Utter Pradesh, where a grand temple was opened last year on the site where a centuries-old mosque was torn down by zealots in 1992.Before the festival, Modi and Adityanath —  who controlled lucrative service contracts — boasted of massive infrastructure upgrades and investments. It has cemented diehard loyalty from supporters.”Both Modi and Yogi are doing what no other government could do for us, and I just want them to stay in power forever,” said Sonu Sharma, 48, from Prayagraj.”They are kings, and the only thing a good king wants is whatever his subjects need.”- ‘Religious division’ -But many among Prayagraj’s Muslim population, who make up roughly a fifth of its seven million residents, viewed the festival with deep unease.Many still use the city’s old name of Allahabad, given by a Muslim ruler more than 400 years ago, rather than the Hindu name of Prayagraj the BJP changed it to in 2018.Critics say it was part of wider BJP efforts to smother Muslim identity. Local political activist Mohammad Akram, 38, accused the BJP of trying to turn the ancient festival into a “tool for religious division”.Unlike earlier editions, warnings by hardline Hindu groups deterred many Muslim shopkeepers and hawkers from entering the festival grounds. Mohammad Zahid, 52, a shopkeeper, said “99 percent of the local Muslims did not set up shops there out of fear”.He worried about the loss of the city’s Muslim past.”You can rename the city, but how can you change this cultural fabric of brotherhood which is the foundation of Allahabad?” he asked.Preacher Syed Farooq Ahmed, 55, whose family has lived in Prayagraj for generations, said he was “saddened” because division was “not the history of Allahabad’s shared cultural heritage”. Ahmed said his ancestor built their 300-year-old home and the mosque next to it, and had used the Ganges river to perform ceremonial washings before prayers.”This river does not belong to any caste or religion,” he said. “It belongs to those who have made it a part of themselves”.

In cricket-crazed Pakistan’s biggest city, cafe owner Moiz Umer said customers asked him Sunday to change the TV channel to “avoid the humiliation” of witnessing their Champions Trophy defeat to arch-rivals India.”For large parts of the Indian innings, a good number of people turned their backs to the match — facing their friends instead of the screen, such was the disappointment,” said the 45-year-old in the city of Karachi.Fans that didn’t look away watched India outclass Pakistan with a convincing six-wicket victory, chasing down 242 with 45 balls to spare and pushing the hosts to the verge of elimination after just two matches.Pakistan is staging a major international tournament for the first time in nearly three decades but India refused to visit — citing security concerns and political tensions — meaning the teams faced each other in Dubai.The return of international play has been a huge source of national pride but Pakistan fans at home suffered the double heartbreak on Sunday of watching their team falter from a distance.”It was such a big match and we went down with a whimper,” said 42-year-old Zain Mursaleen, among around a hundred spectators with a deflated mood who had gathered to watch the match in Karachi.”We love to see good cricket and Pakistan failed to produce that — again.”The eight-team tournament only began on Wednesday. But Pakistan also lost their opening game, meaning their fate hangs on the outcome of a match between New Zealand and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday.In the garrison city adjacent to the capital Islamabad, the atmosphere was sombre from the outset before India’s star batsman Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 100.”They came to the game with a loser’s mindset and never attempted to attack,” said 53-year-old chef Rasheed Saleem.”I doubt they even realise how disheartening it is for fans to see them go down like this,” he added.Saad Murtaza, a 29-year-old software engineer, said he began watching with “low expectations” but was still left disappointed.”I thought they might surprise us, as it was more than just a game. Unfortunately, they failed to do so,” he said.”They lack both the intent and the skills. I wasted my entire day watching this pathetic display of a game.”- ‘Not a rivalry anymore’ -The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent’s partition in 1947, fomenting a feud that often plays out on the field.Cricket is by far the most popular sport in both countries, which have a combined population of more than 1.6 billion — making matches some of the most-viewed sporting events in the world.Deteriorating ties have meant Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral cricket series for over a decade — facing each other only in tournament matches staged in third countries.Despite the bitter diplomatic rhetoric, numerous Pakistan fans have told AFP they would have relished the chance to host India’s team and their spectators.But some commentators on Sunday were declaring the rivalry now over after a dire run of Pakistani performances.”One is forced to conclude that this is not a rivalry anymore as India has dominated Pakistan, especially in the one day internationals,” cricket journalist and former Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi told AFP.The English-language Dawn newspaper had a more pessimistic prognosis, suggesting Pakistan’s issues are more wide-reaching.”The loss has once again put the spotlight on the massive gulf of quality between Pakistan and other teams in terms of technique, game awareness, fitness and pressure handling,” wrote sports correspondent Mir Shabbar Ali.Back in Karachi, Umer the cafe owner offered a more blunt post-match analysis.”Supporting the Pakistan cricket team has always been a turbulent affair,” he said.”While they have been consistently poor of late, there is always hope that they will surprise everyone — they did this time too, but with how bad they were.”

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted Sunday that his team’s Champions Trophy dreams had “ended” after a shattering loss to bitter rivals India. Hosts Pakistan went down by six wickets in Dubai for their second defeat in the 50-over tournament to all but bow out of the semi-final race.If New Zealand beat Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday, then Pakistan’s fate will be sealed.”Yes, I would say it has ended, that’s the truth,” Rizwan told reporters when asked if his side had reached the end of the road.”The next match, what Bangladesh does with New Zealand and what New Zealand does with India. What we do? It’s a long journey. Our Champions Trophy depends on others and I as a captain I don’t like this.””If we could have done something on our own then it would have been different. We admit to our losses against New Zealand and India but don’t want to sit eyeing other results.”Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in nearly three decades since the 1996 ODI World Cup, which they co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.India, however, refused to tour Pakistan due to political reasons and are playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium.Pakistan elected to bat first in the crunch game but were bowled out for 241 in 49.4 overs despite a 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel and Rizwan.India rode on Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 to chase down the target with 45 balls to spare on a sluggish pitch where stroke-making was difficult.- ‘Crumbled’ -Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed returned figures of 1-28 from his 10 overs but other bowlers leaked runs.”We are disappointed, yes, because a defeat brings a tough day, facing difficult things and lots of questions,” said Rizwan. “Abrar Ahmed’s bowling was a positive but we made mistakes in all three departments.”After Saud, who hit 62, and Rizwan, who made 46, departed the middle-order stuttered with only Khushdil Shah hitting a late cameo with his 38.”Our middle-order has performed before and 270-280 would have been good on this pitch,” said Rizwan.”I tried to build a partnership and took some time as well, we lost wickets and our shot selection was poor. In turn our middle-order crumbled.”Pakistan lost the tournament opener to New Zealand and Rizwan said mistakes are being repeated.”Honestly we made the same mistakes that we have been doing since the last three-four matches,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.”We are working on them but we are mortals and falling short. India probably worked harder than us and were brave. We lacked being brave and fell short in the field.”Pakistan, who won the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017 after beating India in the final, next play Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Cricket icon Virat Kohli said he shut down “the noise” to compile an unbeaten 100 and become only the third man to make 14,000 runs in one-day internationals in Sunday’s six-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.Kohli’s 51st ton in the format in Dubai led India to a comfortable victory over their arch-rivals and to the brink of the semi-finals.The knock from the 36-year-old stood out in the high-pressure match as the former captain came into the 50-over tournament with speculation over his cricket future.”My job was clear – to control in the middle overs, not take risks against spinners and take on the pacers. I was happy with the template, it’s how I play in ODIs,” said man-of-the-match Kohli.”I have a decent understanding of my game. It’s about keeping the outside noise away, take care of my energy levels and thoughts. It’s easy for me to get pulled into expectations and frenzy around games like these.”Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said his respect for Kohli had rocketed.”I wonder how hard he would have worked when the whole world was saying he is out of form but coming into a match which is awaited by the world, he scores runs easily,” said Rizwan.”I praise his hard work and fitness.”India captain Rohit Sharma said, “Virat loves representing the country, doing what he does the best, which is what he did today. People sitting inside the dressing room aren’t surprised with what he did.”Kohli entered the match with 13,985 runs in 298 ODIs and went past 14,000 runs with a flowing punch through the covers off pace bowler Haris Rauf.He is just the third man to achieve the feat after India icon Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (14,234).Kohli, who was out for 22 in the opening win over Bangladesh, put on 114 runs with Shreyas Iyer as he drove and flicked with aplomb to reach his 82nd ton across all formats with a winning boundary.He took off his helmet and raised his bat to a standing ovation form the crowd that chanted his name.- ‘Hungry for runs’ -“I have never thought of Virat struggling for runs,” said Iyer.”It’s just that the mindset he possesses over the years, he is always hungry for runs and I remember yesterday he came almost an hour before us for the practise session. Looking from outside he looked as crisp as he looks all the time.”Kohli and Rohit retired from T20 internationals after India’s World Cup triumph last year.But the two struggled to find their best form in both Test and 50-over formats due to inconsistent run-scoring, with speculation that they may soon retire.Following the bruising 3-1 Test defeat in Australia, India’s board ordered contracted players to feature in domestic cricket.But both flopped, with Rohit scoring three and 28 in his first and second innings for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and Kohli scoring six off 15 balls for Delhi.Kohli will likely take field against New Zealand next Sunday in their final group match for his 300th ODI since his debut in 2008.

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons admits every game in the Champions Trophy “is hard and full of pressure” as the Tigers face a make-or-break clash with formidable New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Monday.After India defeated Pakistan on Sunday, Bangladesh must beat the Black Caps or they will be eliminated from semi-final contention.New Zealand, winners of the Champions Trophy in 2000, opened their campaign with victory over hosts Pakistan while Bangladesh lost to India.If New Zealand win on Monday they qualify for the semi-finals from Group A alongside India.”It’s the top eight in the world and you expect every game to be hard and full of pressure,” said Simmons, a former West Indian all-rounder.”New Zealand have been playing well but tomorrow is a new day so we will try and make sure that they don’t play as well as they have been.”Bangladesh are sweating on the fitness of 39-year-old batsman Mahmudullah who missed the India game with a calf injury.”He (Mahmudullah) has to do a fitness test and then we’ll know after practise today whether he’s fit enough. He is important for us,” said Simmons of a player who has made 5,685 runs from 238 matches since his ODI debut in 2007.

Star batsman Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 100 to lead India to a six-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday and push the title holders to the brink of elimination from the Champions Trophy.Chasing 242 for victory, Kohli hit a boundary to seal the match with 45 balls to spare and register his 51st ODI ton after an innings which also saw him pass 14,000 runs in one-day international cricket.Kohli, 36, removed his helmet and raised his bat to the Dubai International Stadium crowd after taking India closer to the semi-finals with two wins in two outings in Group A.Pakistan have lost both their matches and will need Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to have any chance of staying in contention for a last-four spot.The top two teams from the two groups will make the semi-finals.”My job was clear — to control the middle overs, not take risks against the spinners and take on the pacers,” said Kohli.”I was happy with the template, it’s how I play in ODIs. I have a decent understanding of my game. “It’s about keeping the outside noise away, take care of my energy levels and thoughts. It’s easy for me to get pulled into expectations and frenzy around games like these.”Favourites India remained clinical in their chase despite losing skipper Rohit Sharma for 20 off Shaheen Shah Afridi.In-form Shubman Gill, who made 46 after his century in the opening win over Bangladesh, put on 69 runs with Kohli.India superstar Kohli started cautiously but reached 14,000 ODI runs with a trademark punch through cover off Haris Rauf.He is just the third man to break the 14,000-run barrier after India icon Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (14,234)Former captain Kohli raised his fifty with a boundary off Naseem Shah to loud cheers from the crowd.His hundred came in 111 balls, a knock that rolled back the years for the veteran who has 82 centuries across all formats but whose previous ODI ton came in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final.- ‘Bad shot selection’ -Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who made 56, put the chase back on track with a stand of 114 after Gill’s departure when leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled the opener.India bowled out Pakistan for 241 in 49.4 overs as left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned figures of 3-40.Pakistan elected to bat first on what seemed a sluggish pitch but a slow approach from the batsman rarely threatened the Indian attack despite a 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46).Khushdil Shah’s late cameo of 38 added some runs to the total before the innings folded with his wicket.The Pakistan openers began cautiously despite a wayward start by Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami who bowled five wides in an 11-ball first over.Shami, who returned figures of 5-53 in the win over Bangladesh, seemed to struggle with his ankle in his third over and left the field, returning soon after to India’s great relief.Babar Azam score 23 and fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq was run out on 10 before Shakeel and Rizwan got their heads down as Pakistan managed just one boundary in nearly 10 overs.”When Saud and I were batting, we wanted to go deep. But our shot selection was bad and we lost wickets, which is why we were kept to 240,” said Rizwan. A full house was expected at the venue but there were empty seats on view during the match.Pakistan next face Bangladesh on Thursday in Rawalpindi while India take on New Zealand in Dubai on March 2.

Saud Shakeel and skipper Mohammad Rizwan hit gritty knocks to help Pakistan to 241 all out against arch-rivals India in a key Champions Trophy clash on Sunday in Dubai.Defending champions Pakistan elected to bat first in the Group A match which is a ‘must-win’ for them after they lost to New Zealand in the 50-over tournament opener on Wednesday.A defeat to India, who won their first match against Bangladesh, will severely dent Pakistan’s chances of making the semi-finals.They stuttered after the left-handed Shakeel, who hit 62, and Rizwan, who made 46, added 104 together in a slow but solid third-wicket partnership.But a late cameo by left-hander Khushdil Shah boosted the Pakistan total on what seems like a sluggish pitch.Khushdil was the last batsman out for 38 as the innings folded on 49.4 overs.Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned figures of 3-40.India refused to tour hosts Pakistan in the eight-nation tournament and instead have been allowed to play all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium. A full house was expected but there were empty seats on view during the Pakistan innings.The Pakistan openers began cautiously despite a wayward start by Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami who bowled five wides in an 11-ball first over.Babar Azam hit Harshit Rana for two boundaries in the fourth over with the second hit coming off a classic cover drive from the former captain.Shami, who has recovered from an injury and returned figures of 5-53 in the team’s first win over Bangladesh, seemed to struggle with his ankle in his third over and left the field, returning soon after to India’s great relief.Azam hit a couple of crisp boundaries including one off Hardik Pandya but the bowler had his revenge when he got the star batsman caught behind for 23.Fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq was run out in the next over after a direct throw from Axar Patel had him out for 10.Shakeel and Rizwan got their heads down as Pakistan managed just one boundary in nearly 10 overs.Rizwan broke the shackles with a crashing four off Ravindra Jadeja and the left-handed Saud followed it up with two more off Kuldeep as the pair changed gears.Rizwan survived a reprieve on 44 when Rana dropped a difficult catch at long-on off Pandya but the fielder looked relieved when Axar bowled the Pakistan captain in the next over.Shakeel, dropped on 57, went in the next over from Pandya, holing out to midwicket.Wickets kept tumbling with Kuldeep striking twice in two balls. Khushdil, however, showed intent with two sixes in his 39-ball knock and gave Pakistan a hope of winning against their greatest rivals.The top two teams from the two groups will make the semi-finals.

Pakistan face arch-rivals India in a Champions Trophy blockbuster on Sunday as they look to get their campaign back on track in front of a sell-out crowd in Dubai on an occasion described as “beyond a game”.The neighbours only meet in multi-nation events because of political tensions and the match is taking place in Dubai after India refused to travel to tournament hosts Pakistan.In front of what is expected to be a full house, and with hundreds of millions more glued to their televisions, Pakistan are under pressure.Mohammad Rizwan’s side was well beaten by New Zealand by 60 runs in the opening game of the competition in Karachi and realistically need to beat favourites India to stay in the hunt for a semi-final spot in the eight-nation tournament.New Zealand top Group A ahead of India — who beat Bangladesh on Thursday by six wickets — on a better run-rate. Pakistan are fourth and bottom of the group.The top two teams from each of the two groups make the semi-finals.”After losing a game there is another good chance for you to win and win the third one and make it to the semis,” Pakistan coach Aaqib Javed told reporters on Saturday.”Between India and Pakistan it doesn’t matter, it’s a knockout or whatever. It’s beyond a game and that’s the beauty of India-Pakistan cricket.”Eager fans began filing into the 25,000-capacity Dubai International Stadium two hours ahead of the toss at 12:30 pm local time (0830 GMT).India’s blue jersey dominated the streets leading to the stadium, with Virat Kohli’s number 18 the most popular.Pakistani batsman Babar Azam’s number 56 was also popular among fans with painted faces and wrapped in the green-and-white national flag.Pakistan suffered a big blow in the loss on Wednesday when top batsman Fakhar Zaman suffered a muscle injury. He has been ruled out of the tournament, but Aaqib said they will still field a “good, strong team”.Imam-ul-Haq has come in as a replacement for a team that hammered India in the final of the previous Champions Trophy in 2017.That was India’s last defeat to Pakistan in an ODI match and Rohit Sharma’s men have since won five of the past six games against their greatest rivals, with one rained off.They last met in a one-day game at the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, with hosts India winning by seven wickets.- India to bring ‘A-game’ -Another loss and an early exit for the hosts would take the gloss off the tournament, Pakistan’s first ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.In contrast, India lived up to their favourites tag against Bangladesh, chasing down a tricky 229 with 21 balls to spare in Dubai.In-form Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 101 for his second successive century after pace spearhead Mohammed Shami returned figures of 5-53.Victory for India would put them on the cusp of the last four, but vice-captain Gill warned his team against complacency.”Definitely we have been playing some good ODI cricket and Pakistan unfortunately have lost some of the matches that they have played recently but by no means are we going to take them as a lesser side,” Gill said.”I think they have got a good side and it is important for us to bring our A-game tomorrow.”Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent’s partition in 1947 and that rivalry is often reflected on the cricket field.Deteriorating political ties have meant the bitter rivals have not played a bilateral cricket series for more than a decade.India last visited Pakistan in 2008, for the Asia Cup.

Pakistan coach Aaqib Javed on Saturday said his fast bowlers are “match-winners” and will pull out something special against arch-rivals India in their pivotal Champions Trophy clash.Hosts and defending champions Pakistan need to win the blockbuster showdown with India on Sunday in Dubai to keep their chances of making the semi-finals in their own hands.Pakistan lost the opening match of the 50-over tournament to New Zealand and are bottom of Group A. India beat Bangladesh in their first match.Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf leaked 214 runs in their 30 overs combined in New Zealand’s total of 320.But Aaqib said the trio will rise to the occasion.”We have three specialists and I would say one of the best pace bowling options in today’s game with Shaheen, Naseem and Haris,” Aaqib told reporters.The former seam bowler said the current attack reminds him of that from the 1990s, when Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Aaqib stepped up after the retirement of the great Imran Khan.”They still have time to reach that level, but they have all the ability to repeat those sort of performances,” said Aaqib.”When you play against India it is a special feeling and I think they will bring something special tomorrow.”He added: “Our fast bowling options are good and they are match-winners.”Bilateral cricket ties are frozen between the two rival nations due to political tensions and they only play each other in multi-nation events. India refused to tour Pakistan for this eight-nation tournament and will play all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium, which is expected to be full for the high-profile game.Pakistan, who hammered India in the last Champions Trophy final in 2017, have flown in from Karachi for their must-win clash and Aaqib says pressure produces champions.”There is no game you play without pressure,” said Aaqib. “Between India and Pakistan it doesn’t matter it’s a knock-out or whatever. It is beyond the game.”Aaqib said: “If you look at the positive, it’s the best time and best chance for any individual or a team to make a mark. Passion and pressure is what a player needs to showcase his game.”The top two teams from each of the two groups make the semi-finals.The rivals last met in a one-day game at the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, with hosts India winning by seven wickets.