Dubai, February 23, 2025: Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli produced a magnificent century to guide India to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fifth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
In a highly anticipated encounter, India successfully chased down Pakistan’s 242-run target in 42.3 overs, losing just four wickets and finishing with 45 balls to spare.
Chasing 242, India got off to a steady start with openers Rohit Sharma (20) and Shubman Gill (46) displaying fluent stroke play. However, Pakistan struck early when Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed the Indian skipper in the fifth over, providing his team with a much-needed breakthrough.
Kohli then joined Gill, and the duo added 69 runs for the second wicket. Gill, continuing his fine form from the previous match against Bangladesh, took on the Pakistani bowlers before falling to a brilliant delivery from Abrar Ahmed in the 17th over. His innings featured seven exquisite boundaries.
Shreyas Iyer then partnered with Kohli to forge a match-winning 114-run stand for the third wicket, bringing India within touching distance of victory. Iyer played a composed knock of 56 off 67 balls, including five fours and a towering six, before being dismissed by Khushdil Shah in the 39th over.
Meanwhile, Kohli once again showcased his dominance against Pakistan, smashing his 51st ODI century to steer India home. The chase master remained unbeaten on 100 off 111 balls, anchoring the innings with seven boundaries. His stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the most successful bowler, claiming 2 for 74 in his eight overs. Abrar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first. The Men in Green started steadily, with openers Babar Azam (23) and Imam-ul-Haq (10) putting together a cautious 41-run partnership. However, India struck twice in quick succession, as Babar was dismissed by Hardik Pandya, while Imam was run out within the space of six balls, leaving Pakistan struggling at 47-2 in 9.2 overs.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel then stabilized the innings, adding 104 runs for the third wicket. However, just as they looked set to accelerate, India fought back with two quick wickets, reducing Pakistan to 159-4 inside 25 overs.
Rizwan’s scratchy innings of 46 off 77 balls, which included three boundaries, came to an end when he was bowled by Axar Patel. Saud Shakeel fought hard, scoring a valiant 62 off 76 balls with five boundaries, before falling to Pandya.
Ravindra Jadeja then dismissed Tayyab Tahir (4), while Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah stitched together a brief 35-run stand for the sixth wicket. However, Kuldeep Yadav dealt Pakistan a severe blow, removing Salman (19) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0) in consecutive deliveries.
Khushdil played a late cameo, scoring 38 off 39 balls, including two sixes, to push Pakistan’s total to 241. His innings came to an end in the final over when he was dismissed by Harshit Rana, bringing Pakistan’s innings to a dramatic close.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Hardik Pandya claimed two. Harshit Rana, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja picked up one wicket each.
