In a highly anticipated Group A clash of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, arch-rivals Pakistan and India faced off at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23, 2025. The encounter lived up to its billing, delivering a thrilling contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Pakistan's Innings:
Winning the toss, Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan opted to bat first, aiming to set a formidable target for the Indian side. Openers Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq started cautiously, navigating the initial overs with a mix of caution and aggression. The duo managed to put up a steady partnership, with Babar showcasing his classic cover drives and Imam rotating the strike effectively.
However, the partnership was broken when Hardik Pandya, introduced into the attack in the 9th over, induced an edge from Babar Azam. The Pakistani skipper, attempting a drive through the covers, nicked the ball to wicketkeeper KL Rahul, departing for a modest score. This breakthrough energized the Indian bowlers, who began to tighten the screws on the Pakistani batsmen.
Imam-ul-Haq, looking to rebuild the innings, fell victim to a sharp piece of fielding. Attempting a quick single, he was run out by a direct hit from Axar Patel, leaving Pakistan at 52/2. The responsibility then fell on the shoulders of Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel.
Rizwan and Shakeel steadied the ship, focusing on building a partnership. Their cautious approach saw Pakistan's run rate dip, but it was a necessary strategy to prevent further collapses. The duo rotated the strike and capitalized on loose deliveries, bringing up a 100-run partnership. Shakeel reached his half-century, his fourth in ODIs, with a series of well-timed boundaries.
Just as Pakistan seemed poised to accelerate, Axar Patel struck, bowling Rizwan with a delivery that skidded through, dismantling the stumps. Rizwan's departure for 64 was a significant blow. The very next over, Hardik Pandya enticed an aerial shot from Shakeel, who was caught in the deep by Axar Patel, reducing Pakistan to 160/4.
The middle and lower order struggled to maintain momentum against disciplined Indian bowling. Ravindra Jadeja's introduction further stifled the scoring rate. He claimed the wicket of Tayyab Tahir, who was bowled while attempting an ambitious shot. Kuldeep Yadav then delivered a double blow, dismissing Salman Ali Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi in consecutive deliveries, the latter falling LBW after a failed review.
Khushdil Shah provided some resistance, managing to clear the boundary with a well-executed sweep shot off Axar Patel. However, his efforts were curtailed when Harshit Rana, showcasing exceptional death bowling, dismissed him in the final over. Pakistan's innings concluded at 241 all out in 49.4 overs.
India's Chase:
Chasing a target of 242, India's innings began with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The duo started confidently, with Gill displaying exquisite timing, especially against Shaheen Shah Afridi. Rohit, too, looked in good touch, but an inswinging yorker from Afridi breached his defense, sending the Indian captain back to the pavilion with the score at 31/1.
Virat Kohli joined Gill at the crease, and the pair set about stabilizing the innings. Gill continued to find the gaps, but his promising innings was cut short at 46 when Abrar Ahmed produced a magical delivery that clipped the top of off-stump. At 99/2, the match was delicately poised.
Shreyas Iyer was the next man in, and alongside Kohli, he began to rebuild the innings. Kohli, in particular, was in sublime form, reaching the milestone of 14,000 ODI runs, becoming the fastest to do so. The duo rotated the strike efficiently, with Iyer playing some elegant strokes through the off-side. Their partnership added 85 runs before Iyer, attempting to accelerate, was caught by Imam-ul-Haq off the bowling of Khushdil Shah for a well-made 56.
With the required run rate climbing, Hardik Pandya was promoted up the order. He injected momentum into the innings with a flurry of boundaries, taking the attack to the Pakistani bowlers. Pandya's aggressive approach paid dividends, but his cameo ended when he mistimed a shot off Shaheen Afridi, resulting in a catch to Mohammad Rizwan. India stood at 223/4, needing 19 runs from 24 balls.
Kohli, unfazed by the mounting pressure, continued to anchor the innings. He found an able partner in KL Rahul, who ensured there were no further hiccups. Kohli inched closer to a century, but with just 2 runs required, he was trapped LBW by Naseem Shah for a masterful 98. Rahul sealed the victory with a boundary, guiding India to 245/5 in 48.3 overs.
Key Performances:
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Virat Kohli: Anchored the chase with a composed 98, reaching the milestone of 14,000 ODI runs.
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Shubman Gill: Provided a solid start with a fluent 46, setting the foundation for the chase.
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Hardik Pandya: Contributed crucial breakthroughs with the ball and a quickfire 30 with the bat.
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Shaheen Shah Afridi: Led Pakistan's bowling attack, claiming key wickets, including that of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya.
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Khushdil Shah: Offered resistance with a late cameo, adding valuable runs to Pakistan