The highly anticipated clash turned into a one-sided affair as India dominated Pakistan, securing a comfortable 6-wicket victory in Dubai. The result was never in doubt, and towards the end, all eyes were on Virat Kohli. India needed just 2 runs to win, while Kohli was 4 runs away from a century. Stepping out against spinner Khushdil Shah, he elegantly drove the ball through extra cover for four, sealing both his century and India’s victory.
With this emphatic win, India took a big step toward the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. Chasing Pakistan’s modest total of 241, India reached the target with 45 balls to spare.
Pakistan’s Exit Looms Closer
After losing their first two group matches, Pakistan now faces the threat of an early exit from the tournament. Meanwhile, Kohli continued to etch his name in history, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs. His unbeaten 100 off 111 balls, featuring seven fours, earned him the Player of the Match award—his fifth such recognition against Pakistan in ICC tournaments, a record against a single team.
Pakistan’s total was never enough, yet they had opportunities to make a contest out of it with their bowling. However, two dropped catches proved costly.
Bowlers Set the Stage for India’s Win
India’s bowlers laid the foundation for victory. Hardik Pandya dismissed Babar Azam early with a brilliant spell and picked up another wicket later. But the standout performer was left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed 3 wickets for 40 runs.
India’s chase started aggressively, led by captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Rohit struck a four and a six off Naseem Shah in the second over, while Gill took on Shaheen Afridi in the next. However, Rohit (20 off 15) was bowled by Afridi in the fifth over. India reached 64/1 in the powerplay.
Gill, who was given a lifeline on 35, could not capitalize much and was dismissed for 46 off 52 balls by leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Kohli Anchors the Chase
Kohli reached 14,000 ODI runs when he was on 15. After Gill’s dismissal, he built a solid partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who was also given a chance when Saud Shakeel dropped him on 25. That partnership added 114 runs and took the game away from Pakistan. Iyer eventually fell for 56 off 67 balls, followed by Pandya, who managed only 8. Axar Patel joined Kohli to see the team home.
At one stage, India needed 12 runs to win, the same number Kohli required for his century. Some wides from Afridi created uncertainty, but Kohli finally got there with a classic cover drive.
A Record-Breaking Start
India began the match by setting an unwanted record—losing 12 consecutive tosses in ODIs, surpassing the Netherlands’ streak of 11. The first over itself was eventful, with Mohammed Shami needing 11 balls, including five wides, to complete it—the joint-longest ODI over by an Indian bowler.
Pakistan’s openers Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam started cautiously, scoring 37 runs in the first eight overs. But in the next two overs, both were dismissed—Babar for 26 off 23 balls by Pandya, and Imam for 10, run out.
Pakistan’s Slow Struggle
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel tried to rebuild but struggled for momentum. Pakistan managed just 27 runs in the second powerplay without losing a wicket. Shakeel completed his fifty in 63 balls, while Rizwan, after being dropped on 44, was bowled for 47 off 77 by Axar Patel, breaking a 104-ball partnership of 104 runs.
Shakeel was dismissed soon after for 62 off 76. Pakistan then collapsed, losing three wickets for 14 runs in 18 balls. Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah added some runs, but Kuldeep struck twice in two balls, removing Salman and Afridi.
Khushdil’s 38 off 39 helped Pakistan reach 241, but it was never going to be enough.
Pakistan’s Slim Hope for Semi-Finals
Pakistan now faces Bangladesh in their final group match on Thursday in Rawalpindi. However, if New Zealand beats Bangladesh on Monday, Pakistan will be eliminated before they even take the field. For Bangladesh, victory against New Zealand is a must to keep their own semi-final hopes alive.
Match Summary
Pakistan: 241 all out in 49.4 overs
- Saud Shakeel 62 (76)
- Mohammad Rizwan 46 (77)
- Khushdil Shah 38 (39)
- Kuldeep Yadav 3/40 (9)
- Hardik Pandya 2/31 (8)
India: 244/4 in 42.3 overs
- Virat Kohli 100* (111)
- Shubman Gill 46 (52)
- Shreyas Iyer 56 (67)
- Shaheen Afridi 2/74 (8)
- Abrar Ahmed 1/28 (10)
Result: India won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli
