Excessive Dot Balls and Poor Strike Rotation,
Middle-Order Collapse at Crucial Juncture and
India’s Clinical Batting Display were the reason
Sports desk
Dubai: India secured a dominant six-wicket win over Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, successfully chasing down a 242-run target with 45 balls to spare. Virat Kohli starred with an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls, guiding India to victory and bringing up his 51st ODI century—the most by any player in the format. The 36-year-old also crossed the 14,000-run mark, becoming only the third batter to achieve this milestone after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Pakistan, batting first, struggled to build momentum, posting 241 in 49.4 overs. Saud Shakeel top-scored with 62 off 76 balls, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 46 runs. Their 104-run partnership provided some stability, but Pakistan’s innings lacked acceleration. Khushdil Shah’s late 38-run effort helped the Men in Green cross the 240-run mark. India’s Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, reaching 300 international wickets in the process. Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana also made valuable contributions with the ball.
Where Pakistan Fell Short: Three Key Reasons
1. Excessive Dot Balls and Poor Strike Rotation
Pakistan’s inability to rotate the strike proved costly, with their batters consuming a staggering 152 dot balls—equivalent to 25.2 overs of scoreless deliveries. Despite a better start compared to their previous outing against New Zealand, a lack of intent and poor running between the wickets hindered Pakistan’s progress. India’s bowlers kept things tight, conceding only 14 fours and three sixes throughout the innings. Pandya bowled 31 dot balls in his eight overs, while India’s three pacers collectively bowled 85 dot balls.
2. Middle-Order Collapse at Crucial Juncture
Pakistan’s hopes rested on Shakeel and Rizwan, who had steadied the innings with their partnership. However, both fell to poor shot selection just when Pakistan needed them to accelerate. Rizwan was bowled while attempting an aggressive charge against Axar Patel in the 34th over. Shakeel followed suit in the 35th over, falling to a short ball from Pandya after narrowly escaping dismissal in the previous over. Their dismissals triggered a collapse, depriving Pakistan of a strong finish.
3. India’s Clinical Batting Display
Kohli’s masterclass and key partnerships were instrumental in India’s victory. After Shubman Gill (46) played a counter-attacking knock, Kohli built crucial stands with Gill (69-run stand) and Shreyas Iyer (114-run stand). The Indian batters adapted to the conditions, respecting Abrar Ahmed’s spin and keeping the scoreboard ticking with singles and twos. Kohli’s acceleration post his fifty put Pakistan under immense pressure. His 28th ODI century in run chases further cemented his reputation as the ultimate chase master.
Heroes of the Match
- Virat Kohli: The batting maestro’s unbeaten 100 anchored India’s chase.
- Axar Patel: Made crucial contributions with a direct-hit run-out and the key wicket of Rizwan.
- Hardik Pandya: Picked two vital wickets (Babar Azam and Shakeel) and maintained pressure with tight bowling.
Zeroes of the Match
- Imam-ul-Haq: Scored 10 off 26 balls with a poor strike rate (38.46) and threw his wicket away with a needless run-out.
- Saud Shakeel: Despite scoring 62, his rash shot selection at a crucial stage hurt Pakistan’s chances.
- Shaheen Afridi: Struggled with his line and length, conceding 74 runs in eight overs at an economy of 9.20, including seven wides.
With this defeat, Pakistan’s chances of securing a semifinal spot in the Champions Trophy have taken a major hit, while India’s clinical performance strengthens their position in the tournament.
