Manchester: As India gear up to face Pakistan in their ICC World Cup 2019 match at Manchester on Sunday (June 16), batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has some advice on how to tackle their fast bowlers.

Cricket fans in India and across the world are waiting for the marquee clash between the neighbours at Old Trafford. While India have been in top form, Pakistan, as has been the case over the years, have been unpredictable.

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India’s World Cup record against Pakistan is impeccable. They are unbeaten against the ‘men in green’, winning all the six previous meetings. Virat Kohli and his men will be the favourites entering the Sunday clash.

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Speaking to India Today ahead of this big contest Tendulkar said, “Rohit (Sharma) and Virat are the two more experienced players in the line-up and Pakistan would be focusing on getting them early without any doubt as that opens the game for them. (Mohammad) Amir and Wahab Riaz will definitely target their wickets early on. But Rohit and Virat should also be looking to play long innings. The plan should be that the rest of the guys play around them."

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"Yesterday (June 12), his first spell (against Australia) was very accurate. He was hitting the right areas and made (Aaron) Finch's life difficult. I wouldn't go in with a negative mindset of playing dot balls against him. If you get an opportunity, I would encourage India to play their shots and stay positive. It's not about survival but rather going out there and even defend positively. No need to do anything different. We need to be aggressive in all departments. The body language is important - the bowler knows that you're in control if you defend confidently," he added.

India’s match against New Zealand was washed out on Thursday (June 13) without a ball being played. They are at third place in the points table with five points, having won two and one no result. Pakistan are at eighth with four points as many matches.