February 23, 2025: In a tense Group A encounter of the 2025 Champions Trophy – PakvsInd – Pakistan posted a total of 241 all-out in 49.4 overs, after a promising 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan was broken down by India’s sharp bowling attack.
Despite a valiant effort from Shakeel (62) and Rizwan (46), Pakistan’s middle order collapsed under pressure, leaving the defending champions with a challenging total to defend at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
A fine bowling display from #TeamIndia saw Pakistan all out for 241. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout performer, claiming 3 wickets, while Hardik Pandya backed him up with 2 wickets. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in, each taking a wicket to help restrict Pakistan in the crucial Group A encounter.
In return, India started off well but lost one wicket.
PakVsInd Champions Trophy: Early Struggles for Pakistan
The much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 match started on a subdued note, as India’s opening bowler Mohammed Shami had an uncharacteristic beginning, delivering an erratic first over which included five wides. However, despite this slow start, India’s bowlers managed to find swing early on, with Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq enjoying boundaries, particularly on the drive.
Shami, returning from injury, struggled with discomfort in his right knee, briefly leaving the field after his third over. Nonetheless, he returned to bowl another five overs, though Pakistan’s early momentum seemed to stall. Rohit Sharma quickly introduced Hardik Pandya into the attack, a move that proved decisive. Pandya’s back-of-a-length bowling quickly changed the game’s momentum, forcing Pakistan to retreat into defensive mode.
Champions Trophy 2025: Key Breakthroughs from India
Pakistan’s opening pair of Babar and Imam provided a solid start with a brisk 41-run partnership before disaster struck. Babar Azam, looking to drive a delivery from Pandya that wasn’t quite full enough, edged it to the keeper. In the very next over, Imam-ul-Haq was run out, a direct hit from Axar Patel leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 42/2.
Pakistan’s innings stalled further, with the next 10 overs yielding just 27 runs. Rizwan and Shakeel were forced to bat cautiously against India’s tight bowling, with dot balls piling up. The pair eventually managed to break free, utilizing the spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja – to take boundaries through sweeps and reverse sweeps. Shakeel’s half-century came off 63 balls, and the partnership stretched past 100 runs, offering hope to Pakistan.
Collapse in the Middle Overs
But just as Pakistan looked set to accelerate, they were hit by a series of wickets. Rizwan, having survived a drop by Harshit Rana off Hardik, was dismissed after attempting a risky charge at Axar Patel, only to be bowled. The dismissal of Babar Azam earlier seemed to trigger a collapse, and Shakeel followed shortly after, dismissed by Pandya in the next over.
From a comfortable 151/2, Pakistan slumped to 165/5, losing three wickets for just 14 runs. Ravi Jadeja removed Tayyab Tahir, while Kuldeep Yadav took a tough chance to dismiss Shakeel, leaving Pakistan’s middle order in tatters.
Late Resistance from Khushdil Shah
Khushdil Shah (38) and Salman Ali Agha (13) fought back with a brief 35-run partnership to take Pakistan closer to 200, but Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliance in the 43rd over dashed their hopes. Agha was dismissed attempting a swipe across the line, while Shaheen Afridi fell to a googly from Kuldeep.
Despite the lower order’s efforts, Pakistan’s innings ended with Khushdil Shah as the last man out in the final over. Given the challenging nature of the pitch, Pakistan will still feel their total is defendable against India, who were tested by Bangladesh just days ago in a similar low-scoring chase at Champions Trophy 2025 clash.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 241 all-out in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46; Kuldeep Yadav 3-40, Hardik Pandya 2-31)
India: 242/3 (Target: 242)
