Double bonanza for fans on Sunday: India vs Pakistan in cricket and hockey

India vs Pakistan is going to be on everyone's lips on Sunday, not just the cricket fans, because the big ICC Champions Trophy final isn't the only clash between these two rivals. There is also going to be a cannot-take-your-eyes-off-it India vs Pakistan hockey match in the Hockey World League Semifinals.

Co-incidentally, the hockey match will also be played in London, and it is going to be a difficult decision for sports fans to make up their minds over which game to watch.

The India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy final is naturally the bigger game, owing to the fact that the title, and that too a major ICC one, will be at stake.

But the India vs Pakistan hockey match is also quite crucial, because this tournament plays a big role in deciding the qualifying teams for the Olympics.

The fact that the hockey match will fly under the radar a little bit, owing to the big cricket game, might just work in the favour of the India players, because there will be less pressure and focus, and that could give them a better opportunity to perform to their full potential.

"We always look at Pakistan as just another team and we always look at earning those three points from the match to advance in the league stage," India captain Manpreet Singh said. "They are a good side, but we have had a good start to the tournament.

"The idea will be to stick to the plans coach draws up before the match against both (Canada and Pakistan) teams, bring in more aggression into our game and aim at finishing on top of the table in the league stage."

India play Canada later today, before their clash against Pakistan, and after starting the competition with a laboured win over Scotland, the team in blue will look to put in much better performances in their next two games, particularly the big one on Sunday.

There was nothing laboured about the India cricket team's march to the final, with Virat Kohli's side putting on a wonderful performance against Bangladesh in the semifinals.

After Pakistan had thumped England in the first semifinal, the pressure was on India to do the same and set up this dream final, and Kohli's men obliged.

India were strong with the ball, keeping Bangladesh to a below-par score, before flexing their muscles with the bat, chasing the score down with ridiculous ease.

Easy, though, won't be Sunday. A day that is usually used up to relax will now turn into a nail-biting one, for both India and Pakistan fans. One thing is for sure, however, this Sunday will not be short on excitement.

India vs Pakistan schedule:

Cricket match: ICC Champions Trophy:

 

Date: Sunday, June 18.

 

Time: 10.30am BST, 3pm IST.

 

Venue: The Oval, London.

 

TV listings: India: Star Sports 1 and DD National. Pakistan: PTV and Star Sports. UK: Sky Sports 2. USA: Willow TV.

Hockey match: Hockey World League Semifinal.

 

Date: Sunday, June 18.

 

Time: 2pm BST, 6.30pm IST.

 

Venue: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

 

TV listings: India: Star Sports 2. UK: BT Sport.