In a high-stakes ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan faced India in a match that lived up to the intense rivalry’s expectations.
Pakistan’s Innings:
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan aimed to set a formidable target. However, early breakthroughs by India’s bowlers put them on the back foot. Captain Babar Azam, after a promising start, was dismissed for 23 runs off 26 balls, edging a delivery from Hardik Pandya to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. Pandya’s celebration, a cheeky send-off to Azam, quickly went viral, highlighting the fierce competition on the field.
Shortly thereafter, Imam-ul-Haq was run out for 10 runs, courtesy of a sharp direct hit from Axar Patel, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 47/2. Despite a resilient 50-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (50 runs) and Mohammad Rizwan (46 runs), Pakistan struggled to accelerate, culminating in a total of 241 all out in 49.4 overs. Harshit Rana was instrumental in the death overs, claiming key wickets, including that of Khushdil Shah, who contributed a quick 38 runs.
India’s Response:
Chasing 242, India faced an early setback with the loss of captain Rohit Sharma. However, a solid partnership between Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli steadied the innings. Gill’s composed half-century and Kohli’s aggressive stroke play kept the scoreboard ticking. Despite some middle-order wobbles, Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 45 ensured India remained on track. Pandya’s all-round performance, complemented by his earlier bowling exploits, underscored his value to the team. India successfully chased down the target with three wickets in hand and several overs to spare.
This victory not only bolstered India’s position in the tournament but also added another memorable chapter to their storied rivalry with Pakistan.