Champions Trophy: Kohli’s Unbeaten Century Secures India a Six-Wicket Victory Against Pakistan

Dubai, Feb 23 (NationPress) Virat Kohli showcased his classic form, scoring his 51st ODI century off 111 deliveries, leading India to a vital six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the crucial 2025 Champions Trophy Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Entering the match as favorites, India proved their worth with a stellar bowling display, dismissing Pakistan for 241 in 49.4 overs. Kuldeep Yadav excelled towards the end, claiming 3-40, while Hardik Pandya contributed significantly with 2-31.

Batting first on a sluggish pitch, Pakistan started solidly but struggled to accelerate. A significant 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46) was the highlight, although it unfolded at a slow pace. From 151-2, Pakistan seemed poised to exceed 250, but India triggered a batting collapse, restricting them just nine runs short.

In pursuit of 242, Kohli spearheaded the effort with seven boundaries, forming a substantial 114-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who scored 56 off 67 balls, allowing India to reach the target with 45 balls remaining in front of a sold-out crowd.

Rohit Sharma initiated the chase with a boundary off Naseem Shah, followed by a six, marking his achievement of surpassing 9,000 runs as an opener in ODIs, making him the sixth player to do so. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill began confidently with two boundaries against Shaheen Shah Afridi.

However, Shaheen struck early, deceiving Rohit with a swift yorker. Undeterred, Gill hit five boundaries off Shaheen, accumulating 35 runs off 25 balls by the end of the power-play.

Gill was fortunate to be dropped on 35 by Khushdil Shah off Haris Rauf, who later conceded two boundaries to Kohli, allowing the veteran to surpass 14,000 ODI runs. Yet, Gill's innings ended at 46 when he was outfoxed by a carrom ball from wrist-spinner Abrar Ahmed.

Kohli and Iyer each punished Haris Rauf with boundaries, with Kohli reaching fifty by lofting Naseem for four and later dispatching Shaheen over long-on. With less than 90 runs required, Iyer shifted gears, smashing Khushdil for consecutive boundaries, despite being dropped on 25 by Saud Shakeel.

Iyer welcomed Salman Ali Agha with a six over mid-wicket and continued to score freely. Kohli, meanwhile, elegantly rolled his wrists against Rauf for a pleasing boundary, while Iyer secured his 21st ODI fifty in 63 balls with a single off Abrar.

Iyer was eventually caught after scoring 56, and with the intent to finish the match swiftly, Hardik Pandya was promoted but fell to a bouncer from Shaheen.

As the game drew close, there was tension over Kohli's century with just 12 runs remaining. However, he dispelled the doubts by dancing down the pitch to hit Khushdil for four, celebrating his achievement as he led India to another successful ODI chase.

Earlier in the innings, India faced a rocky start, with Mohammed Shami’s first over being wayward. After Babar Azam scored two boundaries, Shami struggled with a shin issue and had to leave the field, putting pressure on the rest of the bowling lineup. Hardik eventually gave India their first breakthrough by dismissing Azam.

Imam-ul-Haq, returning to ODIs after the 2023 World Cup, was run out for 10 off 26 balls. Shami returned looking sharper, with India maintaining pressure on Pakistan.

Pakistan’s batting improved after the halfway mark, with Rizwan and Shakeel scoring boundaries. However, India capitalized on missed opportunities and tightened their grip, leading to Pakistan losing wickets in quick succession.

Eventually, Pakistan could not capitalize on their start, falling to 241, with Kohli's brilliance steering India to victory.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 241 in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46; Kuldeep Yadav 3-40, Hardik Pandya 2-31) lost to India 244/4 in 42.3 overs (Virat Kohli 100 not out, Shreyas Iyer 56; Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-74) by six wickets.