At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India and Pakistan are presently engaged in a high-stakes match in Match 5 of the Champions Trophy 2025. The fact that practically every member of the cricket community is riveted to their TV screens is not shocking.
Similarly, a group of spectators, including former Indian captain MS Dhoni,
were captured enthralled with the exciting action when it was being televised on television. He appeared completely focused on the action taking place in Dubai while wearing the Chennai Super Kings jersey.
Ms dhoni watching Match. pic.twitter.com/5S2jy5JoTP
— Lokesh Bhaiya (@kohlitynation) February 23, 2025
Dhoni’s record against Pakistan is as follows: he has amassed 1231 runs in 36 games (31 innings) at a strike rate of 90.44 and an average of 53.52. According to Dhoni’s record as captain, he has won 11 of his 18 ODI matches against India’s bitter rivals.
With strikes in consecutive overs, Axar and Hardik unsettle Pakistan.
Following the removal of the opening batsmen during the powerplay, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan put together a century stand, which helped Pakistan build comfortably. But they suffered a serious blow when Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya struck twin blows in the 34th and 35th overs of the first innings, respectively.
Following Hardik’s second-day wicket, Pakistan was reduced to five wickets when Ravindra Jadeja removed Tayyab Tahir. Then, to make matters worse, Kuldeep hit twice in two deliveries, dismissing Shaheen Afridi and Salman Ali Agha and eliminating any prospect of a lower-order comeback.
The fact that Pakistan lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in the tournament opener puts them in a must-win situation.