India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Play resumes as covers come off in Birmingham

India was off to a brisk start with Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma partnership. Covers will be coming off. (Express photo by Swapnil Mathur)

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have given a steady start to India. After invited to bat first, both openers were slow to start but then picked up pace. (Source: Reuters)

Rain interrupted the play when Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan provided a steady start. After 9.5 overs, Ithe duo has scored 46 runs. Even though rain stopped play, it could not hamper the enthusiasm of the fans.

Rohit Sharma had scored 25 runs before rain halted play in Birmingham.

Batting first, India were slow to start. Mohammad Amir bowled a stunning first over to Rohit Sharma which was also a maiden. A few stares were also exchanged between the two. (Source: Reuters)

With two massive wins in the warm-up match, team India will feel the momentum on their side.

Sachin Tendulkar's fan Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary at Edgbaston for India vs Pakistan match. Tendulkar featured in six Champions Trophy (1998-2006), and has scored 441 runs in 16 matches. He is India's third highest run scorer. (Source: Reuters)

Prior to the start of the India versus Pakistan contest in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, a minute’s silence was observed in honour of the victims of the horrible London attacks at London Bridge and Borough Market. Both sets of players and fans in attendance observed the silence in impeccable fashion after saddening events overnight in the country’s capital. (Source: Reuters)

Last time these two teams met in an ICC tournament, India emerged as winners and continued their unbeaten run against the arch-rivals in the World Cups. Pakistan's playing XI consists of Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali.

The defending champions have entered with all their guns loaded. India has quite a similar squad of the previous edition. India's playing XI consists of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

The much awaited clash between India and Pakistan is underway. Leading 2-1 head-to-head, Pakistan will look to continue their winning run while the Virat Kohli-led side will hope of leveling their score with the arch-rivals. Pakistan won the crucial toss and have put India to bat first. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open the batting for India. For Pakistan, Wahab Riaz will be leading their bowling attack. Who will emerge as the winner in today's match?

Indian fans are all set for the big clash as the Virat Kohli-led side takes on Pakistan in their tournament opener.

Their is plenty of support for the teams in their tournament opener. Pakistan lead 2-1 in head-to-head contest in the history of Champions Trophy.

Captain Virat Kohli along with his team take refreshments after a rigorous session at the nets. (Source: Instagram)

Yuvraj Singh warms up before the batting session during training. (Source: Instagram)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik and fielding coach R Sridhar fine tune some nuances of wicketkeeping. (Source: Twitter)

Former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni during training. (Source: Instagram)