The much-anticipated clash between Pakistan and India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 lived up to its billing as the "Mother of All Matches." The encounter, held in Dubai, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing moments of brilliance and vulnerability. However, it was India who emerged victorious, leaving Pakistan to reflect on what could have been.
Pakistan's Rocky Start
Team Pakistan entered the tournament on shaky ground, having lost their opening match to New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. The defeat not only dented their confidence but also raised questions about their preparation and team selection. To make matters worse, Fakhar Zaman, one of their key players, was ruled out of the tournament due to injury, forcing Imam-ul-Haq to join the squad as a replacement.
The selection of the Pakistani team for the Champions Trophy raised eyebrows, especially given the conditions in Pakistan and Dubai, which demand skilled spinners capable of taking wickets during the middle overs. With only one full-time spinner, Abrar Ahmed, in their playing XI, Pakistan's strategy seemed flawed from the outset.
The Toss and Batting Woes
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that appeared sound at the time. However, their lack of planning and execution in the batting department led to a disappointing total of 242 runs. The opening pair of Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq, both out of form, failed to provide a solid start.
Babar Azam showed glimpses of his class, scoring 23 runs off 26 balls with five fours before falling to Hardik Pandya. This was the second time Pandya had dismissed Babar in an ICC tournament, the first being during the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad. Imam-ul-Haq, looking nervous, managed only 10 runs before being run out by Axar Patel.
At the end of the powerplay, Pakistan were 52/2. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan attempted to stabilize the innings, but their partnership was marred by a low strike rate. Rizwan, in particular, took too long to settle, scoring 46 runs off 77 balls before being dismissed by Axar Patel. His strike rate of 59.74 was a cause for concern among Pakistani fans, who were hoping for a more aggressive approach.
India's Bowling Dominance
India's bowlers, led by Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja, were relentless. Pandya's first spell of six overs conceded only 18 runs and included the crucial wicket of Babar Azam. The spinners, Axar, Kuldeep, and Jadeja, were particularly effective, making it difficult for Pakistan's batsmen to accelerate.
Despite a valiant effort from Khushdil Shah, who scored 38 off 39 balls, Pakistan could only manage a total of 241 runs. This was well below par, especially considering the conditions and the strength of India's batting lineup.
India's Chase: Kohli and Iyer Steal the Show
India's chase began with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opening the innings. Rohit looked in good touch but was bowled by a brilliant inswinging yorker from Shaheen Shah Afridi. At the end of the powerplay, India were 64/1, with Gill looking solid at 35 off 35 balls.
Pakistan's fielding was a concern, as they missed two crucial catch opportunities off Haris Rauf's bowling. These missed chances proved costly, as Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer took the game away from Pakistan with a 114-run partnership. Kohli, in particular, was in sublime form, completing 14,000 ODI runs in just 287 innings, the fastest to reach this milestone.
Abrar Ahmed managed to dismiss Gill with a carrom ball, but by then, the damage had been done. Iyer scored a fluent 56 off 67 balls before being caught by Imam-ul-Haq off Khushdil Shah's bowling. Hardik Pandya chipped in with a quick 8 runs, but it was Kohli who sealed the victory for India, scoring a magnificent century.
Conclusion: Lessons for Pakistan
Pakistan's performance in this match highlighted several areas that need improvement. The team lacked proper openers, a strong middle order, and quality spin bowlers. Babar Azam, who has scored 6,000 ODI runs at the number three position, was forced to open, a decision that backfired. The bowlers, while capable, leaked too many runs in the middle overs, making it difficult to defend even a modest total.
For Pakistan to perform well in future tournaments, they need to address these issues. Proper team selection, strategic planning, and better execution on the field are essential. Only then can they hope to compete with the best and reclaim their glory in international cricket.
In the end, the match was a testament to the enduring rivalry between Pakistan and India, a contest that continues to captivate cricket fans around the world. While India celebrated their victory, Pakistan was left to ponder what might have been, with the hope of bouncing back stronger in the next encounter.
