India vs Pakistan Match Overview
India (IND) took on Pakistan in the fifth match of the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday, February 23, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India chased down the target of 242 runs in 42.3 overs and won the match by six wickets. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten century and was adjudged Player of the Match.
First Innings: Pakistan’s Batting Struggles
Babar Azam started well but failed to convert his innings into a big score. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan added some important runs, but their efforts were not enough to build a solid foundation.
The Indian bowlers, especially Kuldeep Yadav, excelled, taking three wickets and maintaining pressure on the Pakistani batters. A late surge from Khushdil Shah, who scored 38 runs, helped Pakistan cross the 240-run mark. However, the batting collapse, triggered by regular wickets, left Pakistan with a challenging total of 241 runs to defend.
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Second Innings: Virat Kohli Shines as India Dominates Pakistan
India showcased a strong batting performance, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill providing a decent start. After India lost the wicket of Rohit, Virat Kohli stepped up and joined Gill in the middle. The duo added 69 runs for the second wicket before Abrar Ahmed dismissed Gill with a carrom ball.
Shreyas Iyer joined Virat Kohli at the crease when India was at 100 for two. The pair quickly established a formidable century partnership that effectively dashed Pakistan’s hopes of a comeback. While Kohli was in fine form, steadily accumulating runs, Iyer initially struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just 17 runs off 34 balls at one point.
Despite Iyer’s slow start, the duo maintained composure and did not allow Pakistan to exert any pressure. They played cautiously, minimising risks, and as the target dwindled to under 100 runs, their scoring rate accelerated significantly. Iyer eventually found his footing, reaching a half-century and contributing crucial runs to the chase.
As the innings progressed, the focus shifted to whether Kohli could secure his century. The seasoned batsman expertly paced his innings, ultimately achieving the milestone by hitting the winning runs. This marked Kohli’s 51st ODI century and his fourth against Pakistan, further solidifying his reputation as a standout performer against their arch-rivals.
India vs Pakistan Performances & Player of the Match
Virat Kohli (India)
- He scored an impressive 100 runs off 111 balls, marking his 51st ODI century and his fourth against Pakistan.
- He won the Player of the Match award, his fifth against Pakistan in an ICC tournament.
- He has now hit four centuries against India in ODIs.
Shreyas Iyer (India)
- Iyer was dismissed in the 39th over after making 56 runs off 67 deliveries.
- He has now scored three half-centuries in his last five outings.
- Iyer has made two half-centuries against Pakistan in three outings.
Saud Shakeel (Pakistan)
- He was the highest scorer for Pakistan and scored 62 runs off 76 deliveries.
- It was his fourth half-century in the 50-over format.
Kuldeep Yadav (India)
- He was the pick of the bowlers for India in the match.
- Kuldeep picked up three wickets for 40 runs in seven overs.
- He has taken 10 wickets in his last three outings against Pakistan.
Hardik Pandya (India)
- Hardik provided an essential breakthrough to India as he dismissed Babar Azam in the ninth over.
- He finished with two wickets for 31 runs in eight overs.
India vs Pakistan Match Summary
India has now won seven out of the last eight ODI games against Pakistan. The win in this game meant India has qualfied for the semi-final. Pakistan, the host of the Champions Trophy, has suffered two losses in the tournament and have almost zero chance of making it to the semi-final.
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