Key Points:
- India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match in Dubai, securing a spot in the semi-finals.
- Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 100, becoming the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
- Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) and Hardik Pandya (2/31) excelled with the ball, restricting Pakistan to 241 runs.
- Shreyas Iyer (56) and Shubman Gill (46) provided crucial support in India’s successful chase.
- Pakistan, with two consecutive losses, are on the brink of elimination.
New Delhi: In a high-stakes encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Team India delivered a commanding performance to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash. The victory not only secured India’s place in the semi-finals but also left Pakistan teetering on the edge of elimination from the tournament.
Kohli Shines Bright with Record-Breaking Century
Virat Kohli was the star of the show, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls. His innings included seven boundaries and was instrumental in chasing down Pakistan’s target of 242 runs. Kohli also achieved a historic milestone during the match, becoming the fastest batter to score 14,000 ODI runs. He reached this feat in just 287 innings, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 350 innings. Kohli is now only the third player in history to cross this milestone, joining Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.
Kohli’s century was his 51st in ODIs and his first in the Champions Trophy. He hit the winning boundary to seal India’s victory in just 42.3 overs, showcasing his trademark composure under pressure.
Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill Provide Solid Support
India’s chase began with a brisk start from captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 20 off 15 balls before falling to a fiery yorker from Shaheen Afridi. Shubman Gill (46 off 52) kept up the momentum but was undone by a brilliant carrom ball from Abrar Ahmed.
The partnership between Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer proved decisive. The duo added 114 runs for the third wicket, taking apart Pakistan’s bowling attack with calculated aggression. Iyer scored a well-crafted 56 off 67 balls before being dismissed late in the innings.
Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya Dominate with the Ball
Earlier in the day, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first but struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Saud Shakeel top-scored for Pakistan with a gritty 62 off 76 balls, while captain Mohammad Rizwan contributed 46 runs. The pair added a crucial 104-run partnership for the third wicket but failed to accelerate as Indian bowlers tightened their grip.
Kuldeep Yadav was exceptional with figures of 3/40 in nine overs. His clever variations left Pakistani batters guessing, particularly during the death overs when he claimed three key wickets. Hardik Pandya also impressed with his all-round performance, dismissing Babar Azam (23) and Shakeel while conceding just 31 runs in his eight overs.
Harshit Rana, playing only his second ICC tournament game, bowled an outstanding final over without conceding a run and picked up a wicket to restrict Pakistan to a modest total of 241.
Pakistan’s Struggles Continue
Pakistan’s batting woes were evident as they failed to capitalize on their strong start. After reaching 151/2 by the 34th over, they lost their remaining eight wickets for just 90 runs. Rizwan and Shakeel went through a stretch of 55 balls without hitting a boundary, highlighting India’s effective bowling strategy.
Shaheen Afridi (2/74) and Abrar Ahmed (1/43) provided moments of brilliance with the ball for Pakistan but lacked consistent support from their teammates. With two consecutive losses in Group A against New Zealand and now India Pakistan are virtually out of contention for a semi-final spot unless other results work dramatically in their favor.
India Tops Group A Ahead of New Zealand Clash
With this victory, India sits atop Group A with four points from two matches. Having already defeated Bangladesh earlier in the tournament, Rohit Sharma’s men have established themselves as strong contenders for the title. Their final group match against New Zealand on March 2 will determine whether they finish as group leaders heading into the knockouts.
Looking Ahead: Kohli Eyes More Records
Kohli’s incredible form has put him within striking distance of surpassing Kumar Sangakkara’s ODI run tally (14,234) to become second on the all-time list behind Sachin Tendulkar (18,426). With India advancing further into the Champions Trophy, Kohli has ample opportunities to continue rewriting record books.
As Team India marches confidently into the semi-finals, their all-round performance against Pakistan serves as a statement of intent: they are here not just to compete but to dominate.
