Pakistan(National Times)- DUBAI: The wait is almost over for the Champions Trophy 2025 final, with New Zealand set to bat first after winning the toss in a high-stakes encounter against India today (Sunday) at a packed venue. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is set to witness a fierce clash as the Black Caps eye Champions Trophy glory against the Men in Blue, the undisputed favourites. Today’s game will undoubtedly demand both skill and mental resilience. However, a pivotal question remains: Can New Zealand replicate their historic victory from 25 years ago, when they stunned India to claim the title? Although Rohit Sharma and Co enter the final as the favourites, armed with a formidable spin attack and a solid batting lineup, Mitchell Santner’s boys boast explosive hitters and strong finishers capable of altering the game’s trajectory. One crucial factor could be the playing surface, which has seemingly favoured India throughout the tournament. Additionally, India have enjoyed the luxury of playing all their matches at the same venue, a point of contention raised by Santner. Such advantage is usually compared with “handicap score” in golf, where certain players start with an edge — except in cricket, no such handicaps should exist. Despite India’s dominance leading up to the final, an unbeaten run can sometimes be deceptive. Teams rarely go through major tournaments without facing a real test, and the final could be the day India encounters unexpected resistance. While India’s all-around capabilities make them a formidable force, one chink in their armour could be their fast-bowling unit. Mohammad Shami has shouldered the burden well, but any slip-up with the new ball could spell trouble. Their lethal spin quartet has masked this weakness so far, but New Zealand could exploit it by aggressively targeting one of the spinners — possibly Kuldeep Yadav, whose left-arm wrist spin can falter under sustained pressure. The match is expected to be a thrilling, hard-fought encounter. With tactical brilliance, disciplined execution, and a fearless mindset, New Zealand have every chance to script an unforgettable upset.