Defending champions Pakistan face India in a crucial clash
In the Champions Trophy 2025, defending champions Pakistan will face runners-up India in a pivotal group stage match. Since India defeated Bangladesh and Pakistan defeated New Zealand, respectively, the Men in Blue are leading Group A and the Men in Green are at the bottom of the same group.
Although Pakistan is the tournament’s official host, India has refused to travel to Pakistan, so this eagerly anticipated match will instead take place in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s performance so far
Pakistan were comprehensively outplayed by New Zealand in the tournament opener. After a good start with the ball for the hosts, Tom Latham and Will Young brought New Zealand back with centuries before Glenn Phillips blitzed the Kiwis to a competitive total.
Pakistan looked like they hadn’t come out wanting to actually chase the steep target of 321. Their powerplay total of 22 left the middle order with too much to do, and Babar Azam came under special scrutiny for his slow knock. Khushdil Shah made a quick fifty, but that only helped in salvaging some pride for the hosts.
India’s dominant start
India, on the other hand, had a much easier time against Bangladesh. India had reduced Bangladesh to 35/5 in the powerplay and then Jaker Ali was dropped first ball by Rohit Sharma to deny Axar Patel a hat trick. Ali then put up a record stand with centurion Towhid Hridoy, but Mohammed Shami’s fifer served as damage control in the death overs.
Rohit Sharma swung for the hills and gave India early momentum in a tricky chase on a surface breaking up by the minute. Shubman Gill played calmly throughout the innings and stayed through to the end despite a middle order collapse. KL Rahul also played a hand in staying till the end and ensure India started with a victory.
This match gives India the opportunity to knock out the team that denied them glory in the last edition in the group stage, while Pakistan will want to stay alive in the tournament where they are designated to be hosts.
ODI Stats and Records at Dubai International Cricket Stadium
The pitch will not be extremely friendly for the batters, as some of the other surfaces have been in Pakistani venues. Chasing will be the preferred option, but tall totals aren’t expected.
| Matches Played | 59 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 22 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 35 |
| Matches With No Result | 01 |
| Matches Tied | 01 |
| Average First Innings Score | 228 |
| Highest Team Total | 355 |
| Highest Total Successfully Chased | 285 |
Top player battles to watch out for in India vs Pakistan:
Babar Azam vs Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav’s ripping googly to dismiss Babar in the 2019 ODI World Cup is essentially the stuff of legend now. But that was only one of two times that the left-arm wrist spinner has gotten the better of Pakistan’s star batsman in the ODIs. Kuldeep has basically kept Babar Azam under a leash, conceding 28 runs in 52 balls at a strike rate of 53.84 and dismissed him twice at an average of 14.
Rohit Sharma vs Shaheen Shah Afridi
The numbers of this battle are more evenly matched than the previously mentioned one, but the edge still lies with the southpaw. India’s skipper has managed 48 runs from 56 balls with 2 dismissals against Pakistan’s ace at a strike rate of 85.71 and average of 24.
India
