Pakistan on the Brink of Champions Trophy Exit After Crushing Defeat Against India
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- February 24, 2025
- 10:29 am
- 35
- Sports
Pakistan Champions Trophy elimination is almost certain after a crushing six-wicket defeat against India in Dubai. Their semi-final hopes now depend on other results, making qualification extremely difficult.
India’s Bowlers Crush Pakistan’s Batting Lineup
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat. But their batters struggled on a pitch with extra bounce. The start was slow, and India’s bowlers kept tight control.
Babar Azam looked solid but edged one behind off Hardik Pandya for 23. Imam-ul-Haq was run out for just 10.
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel steadied the innings with a 104-run stand. But their slow scoring added pressure. Rizwan played cautiously, scoring 46 off 74 balls. Shakeel showed intent and hit 62, but once India broke their stand, Pakistan collapsed.
Axar Patel removed Rizwan, and Shakeel fell in the next over. From 151/2, Pakistan tumbled to 200/7. Kuldeep Yadav’s spin was deadly. He took 3/40, including two wickets in back-to-back deliveries.
Khushdil Shah played a quick 38, but Pakistan was bowled out for 241 in the final over. The total looked below par against India’s strong batting lineup.
Kohli, Gill, and Iyer Lead India’s Chase
India started fast but lost Rohit Sharma early. Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled him with a perfect yorker.
Shubman Gill played aggressively, smashing 46 off 38 balls before Abrar Ahmed bowled him with a beauty.
Virat Kohli, playing his 289th ODI, controlled the chase. He reached 14,000 ODI runs with a classic cover drive off Haris Rauf, joining the elite list of Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Shreyas Iyer partnered with Kohli in a key 114-run stand. He scored 56, keeping India in charge.
Pakistan’s bowlers failed to break India’s rhythm. Kohli played risk-free cricket, finding gaps and punishing bad balls.
India needed 12 runs to win. Kohli needed 12 for his century. The Dubai crowd erupted as he reached his 51st ODI hundred with a boundary, sealing India’s second straight win in the tournament
Pakistan’s Semi-Final Chances in Danger
Pakistan’s second consecutive loss puts them on the brink of Champions Trophy elimination. Their fate now depends on Bangladesh beating New Zealand in the next match. A New Zealand win would knock Pakistan out of the tournament.
India, meanwhile, tops Group A and is almost in the semi-finals. Their next game is against New Zealand in Dubai. Pakistan faces Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, needing a miracle to stay in the race.
