Familiar scenes in India vs Pakistan clash once again as the Men in Blue, powered by Virat Kohli’s 100 and a 56 from Shreyas Iyer, beat the Men in Green at the Dubai International Stadium in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After restricting Pakistan to a rather modest 241 in 49.4 overs, India cantered home with a comfortable six-wicket win. Virat Kohli was declared Player of the Match in India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Babar Showed Promise but Could Not Kick on Beyond the First Powerplay of India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025
Amid a massive hype surrounding the India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy 2025 game, both captains Rohit Sharma and Mohd. Rizwan stepped out for the toss. Rizwan called it right and decided to bat first. While India played the same team that was on the park against Bangladesh, Pakistan made one change to the XI that played against New Zealand in the tournament opener by bringing in Imam Ul Haq in place of the injured Fakhar Zaman.
Contrast to the over defensive approach against New Zealand, Pakistan started positively against India as Babar found the middle of the bat on numerous occasions and scored a rather breezy 23 off 26 balls before a Hardik Pandya’s outswinger had the Pakistan’s mainstay edge that to KL Rahul behind the wicket. He struck five fours and looked like he was going to be dangerous from India’s perspective. However, the destiny once again ruled against him, much to his and Pakistan’s dismay. Then happened a needless run out as Imam Ul Haq attempted a non-existent single to a direct hit from Axar Patel at mid-on. The first powerplay, which seemed to be going Pakistan’s way, went the other way round as they were reduced to 52 for 2.
104-run Partnership Between Rizwan, Saud Steadies Pakistan’s Ship
While India wanted to make further inroads into the Pakistani batting, captain Mohd. Rizwan and Saud Shakeel had other ideas. They kept hitting odd boundaries in between to take Pakistan along. Their effort in this do or die game saw them putting on 104 for the third wicket and brought Pakistan back into the contest. Rizwan got a reprieve too as Harshit Rana could not grab a slightly tough catch off Hardik Pandya at mid-wicket.
Axar, Kuldeep, Ravindra Stifle Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Rizwan, however, could not stay for long after the reprieve, as Axar Patel bowled him out. Soon, Hardik Pandya got rid of the set batter Saud Shakeel as the left-hander was holed out at deep square leg. Axar Patel was the catcher. Pakistan, all of a sudden, fell to 159 for 4 from 151 for 2. Ravindra Jadeja came in and hit the timber of Tayyab Tahir, who could contribute just four to the total.
Then followed a 35-run partnership between Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha before Kuldeep Yadav ripped out Salman and Shaheen Shah Afridi in successive deliveries to keep Pakistan reeling at 200 for 7. While Salman miscued a shot that went to Jadeja at cover, Shaheen was trapped leg before wicket. Naseem Shah, after scoring a useful 14, gave a catch to Virat Kohli at long-on off Kuldeep Yadav. Haris Rauf was out run out for 8 before Khushdil Shah was dismissed for a 39-ball, 38. Pakistan were all out for 241 in 49.4 overs.
Rohit, Shubman Start on a Blistering Note in India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The target wasn’t stiff, but the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave the team a brisk start with the former attacking Shaheen and Naseem. Rohit hit three fours and a six to register 20 off 15 balls. Shaheen produced a magical delivery to bowl Rohit Sharma out. It was a full-length delivery that swung late to rattle Rohit’s stumps. The first-wicket partnership fetched India 31 runs.
Shubman, Kohli Take India Comfortably to 100 Before the Former Misses Out on 50
After Rohit Sharma’s dismissal, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli stepped out on the charge. Both started hitting boundaries to take advantage of the hard new ball. During the partnership, Virat completed 14000 ODI runs; only Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara are ahead of him. Adding to Pakistan’s frustration was the dropped catch of Shubman by Khushdil Shah at short square leg off Haris Rauf. The duo took India to 100 before Abrar Ahmed foxed Shubman as the ball turned sharply to hit the middle timber.
Kohli, Shreyas Share a 114-run Partnership in India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan’s spinners Abrar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah started bowling dots as the ball got softer. However, that had no effect on Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer as the duo decided to pick singles to consolidate India’s innings. Soon, both these batters got a measure of the pitch and started hitting boundaries to pile on the agony for Pakistan. Virat Kohli raised his fifty with an inside out boundary off Naseem Shah, while Shreyas Iyer raised his fifty with a single off Abrar. Shreyas, however, was out for 56, hitting five fours and a six. Imam Ul Haq took a wonderful catch off Khushdil Shah to dismiss Shreyas Iyer. Hardik Pandya came, smacked eight runs off six balls, and gave a simple catch to Rizwan off Shaheen. However, Virat Kohli and Axar Patel took India home. Virat finished the game with a boundary and raised his 100 in the process. It was his 51st ODI ton. India chased in 42.3 overs.
