A brilliant all-round performance, featuring a masterful century by Virat Kohli and a disciplined bowling effort, propelled India’s convincing six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in an ICC Champions Trophy match in Dubai on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 242, India reached the total in 42.3 overs, with Kohli’s unbeaten 51st ODI century (100*) and Shreyas Iyer’s composed 56 off 67 balls steering the team to a dominant win. The victory strengthened India’s position in the tournament, leaving Pakistan on the brink of elimination.
While the match was initially expected to be a close contest, India’s well-rounded performance with both bat and ball made it a one-sided affair.
Kohli reached 14,000 runs in ODIs on his way to a record-extending 51st hundred as India finished with 244-4 in 42.3 overs. He also has become the first player in the world to first batsman to slam a century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, World Cup and in the Champions Trophy.
Kohli, who has faced scrutiny over his recent dismissals, silenced critics with a masterful innings. Pakistan’s pace duo, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, attempted to unsettle him, but the former Indian captain remained unfazed. Afridi, riding high after dismissing Rohit Sharma (20 off 15 balls) with a brilliant yorker, could not break Kohli’s resolve.
Pakistan had pinned their hopes on leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, given Kohli’s struggles against England’s Adil Rashid. However, Kohli was at his fluent best, effortlessly driving through the covers for exquisite boundaries. His partnership with Iyer proved crucial.
The duo built a 100-run stand for the third wicket, stabilising India’s chase. Iyer’s innings was highlighted by a stunning 103-meter six off spinner Salman Agha. A dropped catch by Saud Shakeel gave Iyer a second chance, which he capitalised on to help India achieve the target in just 42.3 overs.
Earlier, Shubman Gill (46) appeared set for a second consecutive half-century but was undone by a deceptive carrom ball from Abrar Ahmed. India’s bowling strategy was tested early when Mohammed Shami experienced shin pain in his opening over.
However, all-rounder Hardik Pandya stepped in seamlessly, slowing down Pakistan’s scoring. Pandya’s tight bowling set the tone, while Kuldeep Yadav (3/40), Axar Patel (1/49), and Ravindra Jadeja (1/40) tightened India’s grip. Patel, apart from his economical spell, executed two crucial run-outs that rattled Pakistan’s already nervous lineup.
Playing on a slow track, Indian bowlers maintained precision, with disciplined fielding, barring a couple of tough dropped chances. Pakistan’s total could have been restricted below 200 if not for Saud Shakeel (62 off 76 balls, five boundaries) and Khushdil Shah (38 off 39 balls, two sixes), who salvaged the innings.
Pakistan began cautiously with openers Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam taking time to settle. With Shami struggling, they aimed to target Harshit Rana, but Pandya’s introduction disrupted their plans. In the 8th over, after conceding a boundary, Pandya pulled his length back, forcing an edge off Azam’s bat to KL Rahul’s gloves. Soon after, Imam’s rash attempt at a quick single resulted in a sharp Patel throw running him out.
Shakeel and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 77 balls) tried to stabilise Pakistan’s innings with a 104-run partnership for the third wicket. However, their struggle to find boundaries for 55 consecutive deliveries built immense pressure.
Rizwan eventually lost his wicket attempting an aggressive shot against Patel, marking Pakistan’s downfall. Shakeel, who had played the pull shot well, fell to the same stroke against Pandya, caught by Patel in the deep. Pakistan’s middle and lower order crumbled under India’s relentless attack.
