Dubai, February 23, 2025 — In a highly anticipated Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India secured a decisive six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s Innings:
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan aimed to set a formidable target. The opening partnership between Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq provided a steady start, accumulating 41 runs. However, India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya made a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Babar Azam for 23 runs. Shortly thereafter, Imam-ul-Haq was run out, leaving Pakistan at 52/2.
The middle-order partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel stabilized the innings, contributing 104 runs. Saud Shakeel top-scored with a resilient 62, while captain Mohammad Rizwan added 46 runs. Despite their efforts, Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled against India’s spinners in the latter stages, culminating in a total of 241 runs before being bowled out with two deliveries remaining.
India’s Bowling Highlights:
- Kuldeep Yadav: Demonstrated exceptional skill, claiming 3 wickets for 40 runs.
- Hardik Pandya: Provided crucial support with 2 wickets for 50 runs.
- Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja: Each secured a wicket, effectively containing Pakistan’s scoring opportunities.
India’s Chase:
Chasing a target of 242, India faced an early setback with the dismissal of captain Rohit Sharma for 20 runs. However, a stellar unbeaten century by Virat Kohli (100* runs) anchored the innings. Kohli’s composed performance was complemented by Shreyas Iyer’s 56 runs, guiding India to victory with 7.3 overs to spare.
Key Partnerships:
- Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer: A pivotal partnership that added significant runs to the scoreboard, ensuring a smooth chase.
Post-Match Remarks:
- Virat Kohli: “It’s always special to perform in high-stakes matches. Our bowlers set the foundation, and it was important to capitalize on that momentum during the chase.”
- Mohammad Rizwan: “We had a promising start, but couldn’t maintain the momentum. Credit to India’s bowlers for their disciplined performance.”
This victory marks India’s second consecutive win in the tournament, reinforcing their position as strong contenders for the Champions Trophy 2025 title.
For further information and detailed statistics, please visit the official ICC website.