Pakistan set a 242-run target for India in the highly anticipated IND vs PAK clash of the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday.
Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq opened the innings for Pakistan, putting up a solid start with a 41-run partnership in 8.1 overs.
Saud Shakeel scored 50 and made ta otal of 62 runs in 76 balls.
However, Babar was dismissed by Hardik Pandya after edging one to the wicketkeeper, scoring 23 off 26 balls.
Imam-ul-Haq followed him back to the pavilion in the next over after a brilliant direct hit from Axar Patel caught him short of the crease. He departed after making 10 off 26 balls, leaving Pakistan at 47/2 in 9.2 overs.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan then teamed up with Saud Shakeel to stabilize the innings in this crucial must-win encounter. Shakeel reached his fourth ODI fifty as the duo built a crucial 104-run partnership, taking the score to 151 in 33.1 overs.
Rizwan fell to Axar Patel while attempting a big shot, getting bowled on 46 off 77 balls.
Vice-captain Salman Agha joined Saud Shakeel to push Pakistan towards a competitive total, but Shakeel’s innings ended at 62 off 76 deliveries when Pandya struck in the 35th over, leaving Pakistan at 159/4.
Tayyab Tahir then joined Salman Agha but was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja after scoring just four runs.
Agha and Khushdil Shah steadied the innings with a 35-run stand, pushing Pakistan’s total to 200 in 42.3 overs. However, Agha was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav after scoring 19 off 24 balls.
Shaheen Afridi fell for a golden duck, leaving Pakistan struggling at 200/7 in 43 overs.
Naseem Shah then contributed 14 off 16 balls in a 22-run partnership with Khushdil Shah, helping Pakistan reach 222 in 46.4 overs before he was also dismissed by Yadav.
Khushdil Shah was the last batter to fall after scoring 38, as Pakistan were bowled out for 241 in 49.4 overs.
Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler for India, claiming three wickets, while Hardik Pandya took two. Harshit Rana, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with one wicket each.
Pakistan Playing XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
India began their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a win against Bangladesh in their opening match.
On the other hand, Pakistan had a rough start, losing their tournament opener against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19.
The IND vs PAK clash has now become a must-win match for Pakistan to keep their hopes alive in the Champions Trophy 2025.
