Virat Kohli’s brilliant century and Shreyas Iyer’s solid fifty guided India to a comfortable victory over Pakistan in a crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match at Dubai Cricket Stadium on Sunday. India successfully chased down Pakistan’s modest target of 242 runs with four wickets in hand and 45 balls to spare, thanks to a crucial 114-run partnership between Kohli and Iyer.
The Indian chase began with a brief but aggressive start as openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on 31 runs in just 29 balls before Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Indian captain Sharma for 20. Kohli then joined Gill, and the pair added 69 runs for the second wicket, with Gill departing for 46 off 52 balls, which included six boundaries.
Kohli continued his superb form alongside Iyer, as the two added 114 runs together, both notching up half-centuries. Iyer was dismissed for 56 off 67 balls by Khushdil Shah, who sparked a brief scare for India. In the very next over, Shaheen Afridi sent Hardik Pandya back for just eight runs, but Kohli remained unfazed, guiding India closer to victory.
Kohli finished with an unbeaten 100 from 111 balls, including seven boundaries, to lead India across the line. Shaheen Afridi picked up two wickets for Pakistan, while Abrar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah took one scalp each.
Earlier, Pakistan, opting to bat first, managed to score 241 runs before being bowled out in the final over. Saud Shakeel top-scored with a well-played 62, anchoring Pakistan’s innings. Openers Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq got off to a steady start with a 41-run partnership before Hardik Pandya broke through, dismissing Babar for 23.
Imam’s return to the team ended prematurely, as he was run out by Axar Patel, leaving Pakistan at 47/2. Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Shakeel formed a crucial 104-run partnership, but Rizwan was dismissed for 46, and Shakeel followed shortly after, out for 62.
India’s bowlers then took control, with Ravindra Jadeja removing Tayyab Tahir for four, reducing Pakistan to 165/5. Khushdil Shah fought valiantly with a knock of 38 off 39 balls, including two sixes, but was unable to prevent India from wrapping up Pakistan’s innings.
Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler for India, claiming three wickets, while Hardik Pandya took two. Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Harshit Rana each took one wicket.
Pakistan’s Innings: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.
India’s Innings: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, and Kuldeep Yadav.
