Clinical India leave Pakistan on the ropes

India Clinches Dominant Win Over Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025 Clash

• India Crush Pakistan’s Hopes with Clinical Performance in Dubai
• Virat Kohli Shines with an Unbeaten Century, Leading India to Victory
• Pakistan’s Batting Collapse Cost Them Crucial Semifinal Spot
• Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja Star with the Ball

In a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the 2025 Champions Trophy, India delivered a clinical performance, defeating Pakistan by six wickets. Pakistan, which set a challenging target of 242, struggled to build a substantial partnership as India’s bowlers restricted them to a sub-par score of 241. India then chased down the target comfortably, with Virat Kohli scoring an imperious unbeaten 100, taking India to victory in just 42.3 overs.

Key Highlights:

• Pakistan’s Batting Woes: Pakistan began well in the PowerPlay but failed to capitalize on a solid start. Despite a breezy 41-run opening partnership, the middle order crumbled under pressure from India’s bowlers. A key breakthrough came when Hardik Pandya removed Babar Azam, followed by Pakistan losing two quick wickets. A brief partnership between Rizwan and Shakeel lifted hopes, but India’s spinners, including Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, proved too much to handle.
• India’s Bowling Masterclass: Even with some early nerves, India’s bowlers adjusted well to the slow Dubai pitch. Mohammed Shami, despite early struggles, and Hardik Pandya took crucial wickets. Kuldeep Yadav’s 3-wicket haul and Jadeja’s precision strangled Pakistan’s middle order, while Hardik Pandya’s timely breakthroughs kept Pakistan on the backfoot.
• Kohli’s captaincy and Innings: Despite a shaky start in their chase, India maintained calm. Virat Kohli led from the front with a masterful inning, completing his 51st ODI century. His innings included crucial boundaries off Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, as India reduced the chase to a mere formality. Kohli’s 100* was the icing on the cake, steering India to an easy win with 2 runs to spare.
• Pakistan’s Missed Opportunities: Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Shaheen Afridi, failed to adjust their lengths effectively. Afridi’s overpitched deliveries allowed Indian batters to score freely. Despite some early breakthroughs, Pakistan’s inability to maintain pressure and India’s clinical chase sealed their fate.
• India’s Seamless Victory: The Indian team showed composure throughout, with contributions from Shubman Gill (to build momentum) and Shreyas Iyer (56 off 67). Even when wickets fell, India’s steady approach ensured they were always ahead of the target.

Final Scores:

• Pakistan: 241 all out in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46; Kuldeep Yadav 3-40, Hardik Pandya 2-31).
• India: 244/4 in 42.3 overs (Virat Kohli 100*, Shreyas Iyer 56; Shaheen Afridi 2-74).

Conclusion:

India’s commanding victory over Pakistan keeps them on course for another semifinal berth in an ICC white-ball event. Pakistan will need to regroup as they face the harsh reality of potential elimination from their own tournament.