India Clinches Victory with a Clinical Run Chase
In a high-voltage ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match at Dubai Cricket Stadium, India secured a dominant six-wicket win over Pakistan. Chasing a modest target of 242, India comfortably reached the mark with 45 balls to spare, thanks to a match-winning 114-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer.
India’s Strong Start Despite Early Setbacks
India began their chase with an aggressive intent, as openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put up 31 runs in just 29 balls. However, Pakistan’s ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, dismissing Rohit for 20.
Kohli then joined Gill at the crease and kept India in control with a composed 69-run stand. Gill played fluently but fell just short of a fifty, scoring 46 off 52 balls before being dismissed in the 18th over.
Kohli and Iyer Take India to the Brink of Victory
With the scoreboard reading 100/2, Kohli and Iyer took charge, building a solid 114-run partnership. Both batters played with precision, rotating the strike well and punishing loose deliveries.
Iyer looked set for a big score but was dismissed by Khushdil Shah for 56 off 67 balls, an innings laced with five fours and a six. In the next over, Shaheen sent Hardik Pandya back for eight, momentarily giving Pakistan a glimmer of hope.
However, Kohli remained firm at the other end, ensuring no further hiccups. He brought up a magnificent century, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 111 balls, with seven boundaries.
Kohli Creates History with 14,000 ODI Runs
With this century, Virat Kohli etched his name in history books, becoming only the third batter to cross 14,000 runs in ODI cricket. He achieved the feat in just 287 innings, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (350 innings) and Kumar Sangakkara (378 innings) as the fastest to reach this milestone.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Despite Saud Shakeel’s Fifty
Opting to bat first, Pakistan managed 241 runs before being bowled out in the final over. Their innings saw moments of stability, but regular wickets prevented them from posting a challenging total.
Pakistan’s new opening duo of Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq started cautiously, adding 41 runs before Hardik Pandya removed Babar for 23. Imam, making his return to the national side, was run out by Axar Patel for 19, leaving Pakistan at 47/2.
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel then built a much-needed 104-run partnership to steady the innings. Rizwan played a responsible knock of 46 off 77 balls before being dismissed by Axar Patel in the 34th over.
Just eight balls later, Pakistan suffered another setback when Saud, their top scorer, departed after a well-crafted 62 off 76 balls. His innings included five boundaries.
India’s Bowlers Dominate the Middle and Death Overs
After losing Rizwan and Saud in quick succession, Pakistan’s middle-order crumbled. Tayyab Tahir (4) fell to Ravindra Jadeja, while Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah tried to revive the innings with a 35-run stand. However, Kuldeep Yadav struck twice in consecutive deliveries, further denting Pakistan’s hopes.
Khushdil Shah fought back with a quick 38 off 39 balls, striking two sixes. He received some support from Naseem Shah (14) and Haris Rauf (8), but Pakistan fell short of a competitive total.
India’s Bowlers Deliver a Collective Effort
Kuldeep Yadav led India’s bowling attack with three wickets, while Pandya chipped in with two. Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Harshit Rana contributed with one wicket each. Their disciplined performance restricted Pakistan to a below-par score, setting the stage for India’s comfortable chase.
Final Scorecard and Playing XI
Match Summary
- Pakistan: 241 all out in 49.3 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46, Khushdil Shah 38; Kuldeep Yadav 3/47, Hardik Pandya 2/39)
- India: 242/4 in 42.3 overs (Virat Kohli 100*, Shreyas Iyer 56, Shubman Gill 46; Shaheen Afridi 2/45, Khushdil Shah 1/33)
- Result: India won by six wickets
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav
India Strengthens Their Champions Trophy Campaign
With this win, India has made a strong statement in the Champions Trophy 2025. Their balanced performance in both batting and bowling showcased their dominance. Meanwhile, Pakistan will need to reassess their batting approach to stay competitive in the tournament.
The intense rivalry once again lived up to expectations, but it was Kohli’s brilliance that stole the show. Fans now eagerly await the next chapter in this historic contest.
Khalid Javed is a distinguished journalist and the esteemed Editor of Daily Olympic, a prominent publication in Pakistan. With a career marked by dedication and excellence, Khalid has established himself as a well-known figure in the field of journalism, earning respect for his insightful reporting and editorial expertise. His work at Daily Olympic reflects his commitment to delivering accurate, timely, and impactful news, particularly in the realm of sports and beyond. Khalid’s contributions to the media landscape in Pakistan have not only informed the public but also inspired aspiring journalists. His passion for journalism and his ability to navigate complex stories with clarity and integrity have made him a trusted voice in the industry.