Champions Trophy IND vs PAK: Will India chase down 242-run target in Dubai?

With India needing 242 runs to secure a win, Pakistan now have a real opportunity to defeat their rivals and keep their hopes alive for a berth in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals.

 

Exploiting the Dubai Wicket 

Pakistan’s bowlers – particularly the pacers – must capitalise on the unique dual characteristics of the Dubai wicket. To chalk out a win, the nation’s new-ball specialists, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, must strike early. Shaheen’s previous dismissal of Rohit underscores how pivotal his wicket remains for Pakistan’s chances.  Check India vs Pakistan live score, match updates and full scorecard here | ICC Champions Trophy 2025

 

 

India’s Attack Mode

  Captain Rohit is expected to emerge all guns blazing, intent on launching an aggressive assault from the word go.

 

Pitch Report: Post-Pakistan Innings

  The Dubai pitch has revealed a two-paced nature, offering both pace and notable sideways movement, with a hint of turn. For Pakistan, the key lies in getting their pacers firing early. Conversely, India are likely to see Rohit spearhead a determined attack.   

Pakistan Inning
241-10 (49.4 ov) CRR:4.85
Batter	Dismissal	R	B	4s	6s	SR
Imam ul Haq	runout (A Patel)	10	26	0	0	38.46
Babar Azam	c KL Rahul b H Pandya	23	26	5	0	88.46
Saud Shakeel	c A Patel b H Pandya	62	76	5	0	81.58
Mohammad Rizwan (WK/C)	b A Patel	46	77	3	0	59.74
Agha Salman	c R Jadeja b K Yadav	19	24	0	0	79.17
Tayyab Tahir	b R Jadeja	4	6	0	0	66.67
Khushdil Shah	c V Kohli b H Rana	38	39	0	2	97.44
Shaheen Afridi	lbw b K Yadav	0	1	0	0	0
Naseem Shah	c V Kohli b K Yadav	14	16	1	0	87.5
Haris Rauf	runout (KL Rahul / A Patel)	8	7	0	1	114.29
Abrar Ahmed	Not out	0	0	0	0	0
Extras	17 (b 0, Ib 8, w 9, nb 0, p 0)
Total	241 (10 wkts, 49.4 Ov)
Bowler	O	M	R	W	NB	ECO
Mohammed Shami	8	0	43	0	0	5.38
Harshit Rana	7.4	0	30	1	0	3.91
Hardik Pandya	8	0	31	2	0	3.88
Axar Patel	10	0	49	1	0	4.9
Kuldeep Yadav	9	0	40	3	0	4.44
Ravindra Jadeja	7	0	40	1	0	5.71

 

    Watch: Pakistan's fall of wickets   

#Jadeja spins his web, bowling out #Tayyab and sending him back early! ????#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar ???? ???????? ???? ???????? #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 & Sports 18-1! pic.twitter.com/nMKtdSxwpf

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025

Jaha matter bade hote hai, waha @hardikpandya7 khade hote hai! ????  Two big wickets in two overs & #TeamIndia are in the driver's seat! ????????????#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar ???? #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 & Sports 18-1!  ???????? Start Watching… pic.twitter.com/Neap2t4fWC

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025

AXAR PATEL GETS THE BREAKTHROUGH! ????  Rizwan couldn't make most of the lifeline in the previous over! ????#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar ???? #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 & Sports 18-1!  ???????? Start Watching FREE on JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/mNtPKFcyxa

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025

????????????????????????????????! ????????  Axar Patel with a stunning direct hit and Imam-ul-Haq is caught short! A moment of brilliance in the #GreatestRivalry—can Pakistan recover from this setback? ????????#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar ???? ???????? ???? ???????? | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star… pic.twitter.com/vkrBMgrxTi

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025

???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????, ???????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????! ????????  India gets the breakthrough as @hardikpandya7 forces the edge, and Babar Azam has to walk back! Game-changing moment? ????????#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar ???? ???????? ???? ???????? | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi,… pic.twitter.com/PyRBhJQeXb

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025

  Pakistan innings report

 

 Pakistan clawed together a competitive total of 241 in the face of a devastatingly precise Indian bowling attack. The innings was punctuated by a sublime fifty from Saud Shakeel and a brief, yet impactful, cameo by Khushdil Shah.

 

A Beacon Amid Early Woes

  Pakistan’s batting was thrown into disarray with the early dismissals of Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq, leaving the side teetering on the brink. However, Shakeel’s polished 62 off 76 balls, featuring five well-timed boundaries, combined with skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s composed 46 to forge a crucial 104-run partnership for the third wicket. Their steady partnership provided a glimmer of hope in an otherwise challenging situation.

 

Indian Bowlers: Masters of Precision 

The Indian bowlers were in imperious form, with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav emerging as the star of the day by claiming three for 40. As the pitch began to slow in the middle overs, the batsmen found it increasingly labourious to string together runs. There was a dramatic stretch where both Rizwan and Shakeel struggled to breach the boundary for 55 consecutive deliveries, underscoring the relentless pressure imposed by India.

 

Moments of Brilliance and Breakdown

  The match’s momentum was further disrupted by tactical missteps. Babar Azam, who had earlier dazzled with his trademark cover drives off Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya, fell victim to his own aggression when a full-throttle shot misjudged the pace and found KL Rahul’s vigilant gloves. Soon after, a dubious single attempt saw Imam-ul-Haq depart, intensifying the pressure on Pakistan’s batting line-up. At one juncture, standing at 47 for two, the side appeared poised to rebuild their innings, only for Rizwan’s adventurous run against Axar Patel to prove costly.

 

Tension Beyond the Boundary 

Adding to the unfolding drama were concerns from the Indian camp, where veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and captain Rohit Sharma had to temporarily leave the field—Shami to tend to a shin injury and Sharma battling discomfort from the sweltering heat. Their return, however, reassured India and further bolstered their resolve to tighten the noose around Pakistan’s innings.

 

The Final Downward Spiral

  After ambitiously steering Pakistan to 151 for two in the 34th over, the momentum took a drastic turn. Rizwan’s loss of balance against Axar Patel set off a chain reaction, as Shakeel’s valiant pull shot was elegantly caught in the deep. The subsequent collapse saw Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah succumb to Kuldeep’s crafty spin, sealing Pakistan’s fate. Amidst this chaos, Khushdil Shah’s late flourish, which included the innings’ first six, ensured that the total of 241 remained a testament to Pakistan’s fighting spirit.