India fans pray for T20 World Cup victory over Pakistan - in pictures

Arch rivals go head-to-head in Dubai on Sunday

Fans in Kolkata hold a placard with a picture of India captain Virat Kohli as they perform rituals ahead of their T20 World Cup match against Pakistan in Duba. AFP

Cricket fans in Kolkata hold a placard with the picture of India's captain Virat Kohli. AFP

A cricket fan holds a placard with the picture of India's captain Virat Kohli (R) as he performs rituals wishing the victory of the Indian cricket team ahead of their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 cricket match against Pakistan played in Dubai, in Kolkata on October 24, 2021. (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP)

A cricket fan in Kolkata holds a placard with the picture of India's captain Virat Kohli as he performs rituals wishing his team to victory. AFP

Cricket fans in Kolkata hold a placard with the picture of India's captain Virat Kohli. AFP

Cricket fans in Kolkata hold a placard with the picture of India's captain Virat Kohli. AFP

Cricket fans in Kolkata hold a placard with the picture of India's captain Virat Kohli. AFP

Cricket fans in New Delshi tie a banner with the pictures of India's captain Virat Kohli (L) and Pakistan's captain Babar Azam (R). AFP

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, left, warms up during a training session a day ahead of their match against Pakistan. AP

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, warms up during a training session a day ahead of their match against Pakistan. AP

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli during a training session. AP

Cricket fans pray for an India victory in New Delhi. AFP

Cricket fans pray for an India victory in New Delhi. AFP

Team India mentor MS Dhoni, left, talks with Varun Chakravarthy during a training session. AP

A fan with his body painted with tri-colours waves India's national flag in Ahmedabad. AFP

Indian cricket supporters were preparing for their blockbuster Twenty20 World Cup clash with Pakistan on Sunday with prayers and placards.

The arch rivals will lock horns in Dubai in one of the biggest games of the tournament with an expected television audience of up to one billion people.

Matches between the two nations are few and far between with India cutting bilateral ties with its neighbours since 2007.

"We should play each other more often. It is such a treat to see these two teams on the cricket field," Mohammad Ashraf, a Pakistan national working in the United Arab Emirates, said.

"Virat Kohli versus Hasan Ali, what a contest! Politicians should not spoil all this for their own gains. Let them play cricket. I pray for peace between the two nations."

Virat Kohli's India go into the contest with an unbeaten 5-0 record in the tournament.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said "records are meant to be broken" and the fans echo their captain's sentiments.

"We will win inshallah. See it's a new day," said Hasan Sheikh, a Peshawar-born who drives a taxi in Dubai.

"We have a good team with Babar as the captain and our bowling is great. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali will hurt India."