Dubai, February 23, 2025: India made a solid start in their chase of a 242-run target against Pakistan in a crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
At the end of 17 overs, India stood at 100/2, with Virat Kohli anchoring the innings after skipper Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal. Sharma (20) provided a brisk start alongside Gill before Shaheen Shah Afridi removed him in the fifth over.
Earlier, Pakistan faltered once again with the bat, managing a modest total of 241 before being bowled out in the final over. Saud Shakeel was the lone bright spot, scoring a fighting half-century.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan’s new opening duo of Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq started steadily, adding 33 runs. However, Hardik Pandya broke the stand, dismissing Babar for 23 (26) with five boundaries. Imam (17) was run out by Axar Patel in the following over, leaving Pakistan at 47/2 in 9.2 overs.
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel attempted to rebuild, adding 104 runs for the third wicket. Rizwan contributed 46 off 77 balls (three fours) before being bowled by Axar Patel in the 34th over. Saud followed soon after, top-scoring with 62 off 76 deliveries, including five boundaries.
Pakistan then suffered another collapse, as Ravindra Jadeja cleaned up Tayyab Tahir (4), reducing them to 165/5 in 36.1 overs. Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah put on a 35-run stand to help Pakistan cross the 200-run mark, but Kuldeep Yadav dismissed both in quick succession.
Khushdil fought back with a 38-run knock off 39 balls, hitting two sixes. He found brief support from Naseem Shah (14) and Haris Rauf (8) before Pakistan were bowled out.
Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets, while Hardik Pandya picked up two. Harshit Rana, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel chipped in with one wicket each.
