India delivered a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan by six wickets in a thrilling ICC Champions Trophy group-stage match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (Feb 23). The clash, steeped in the historic rivalry between the two cricketing giants, saw India strengthen their position at the top of Group A with four points from two games. At the same time, Pakistan faced the brink of elimination after their second consecutive loss.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Pakistan, opting to bat first after winning the toss, posted a modest 241 runs in 49.4 overs. Saud Shakeel top-scored with a resilient 62, while captain Mohammad Rizwan contributed a steady 46, but he consumed 77 deliveries, which is too many. However, India’s bowling attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav’s 3/40 and Hardik Pandya’s 2/31, kept the hosts in check, triggering a mini-collapse after a promising 100-run partnership between Shakeel and Rizwan for the 3rd wicket.
Chasing 242, India showcased their batting prowess, with Virat Kohli stealing the spotlight. The former captain notched up an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls—his 51st ODI century—anchoring the innings with finesse. Shreyas Iyer (56) and Shubman Gill (46) provided solid support, ensuring India completed the chase in 42.3 overs with over 45 balls to spare. Kohli’s milestone-laden knock also saw him become the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs, further cementing his legacy against Pakistan in ICC tournaments.
This victory, India’s sixth consecutive ODI win over Pakistan since the 2017 Champions Trophy final, underscored their dominance in the rivalry in this format. As India edges closer to the semifinals, Pakistan’s hopes now hinge on improbable results elsewhere, marking another sad chapter in this storied cricketing saga.
Brief Scores: India - 244/4 in 42.3 overs (Virat Kohli - 100*, Shaheen Shah Afridi - 2/74) defeated Pakistan - 241 all out in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel - 62, Kuldeep Yadav - 3/40) by a margin of 6 wickets with 45 balls to spare
