Virat Kohli slams ton as India defeats Pakistan in Champions Trophy clash

DUBAI: Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli masterful century helps India to beat Pakistan by six wickets in the fifth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

In a high-voltage encounter, India successfully chased the Pakistan total of 242-run target in 42.3 overs on losing four wickets with 45 balls to spare.

Chasing 242, India was off to a good start courtesy of their opening batters Rohit Sharma (20) and Shubman Gill’s (46) free-flowing batting. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi struck in the fifth over, sending back the Indian skipper to give Pakistan an opening.

After that, Virat Kohli joined Gill and added 69 runs for the second wicket stand. Gill continued where he left off against Bangladesh, smashing Pakistani bowlers around the park.

The opener was dismissed by a beautiful delivery of Abrar Ahmed in the 17th over. His innings included seven elegant fours.

Shreyas Iyer then joined Virat Kohli and the duo constructed a match-winning partnership of 114 runs to edge India closer to victory.

Iyer scored 56 of 67 deliveries before falling victim to Khushdil Shah in the 39th over. The 30-old-batter brisk innings included five fours and one huge six.

However, Kohli dominated Pakistan again and smashed his 51st ODI century, ensuring India remained in control.

The chase master top-scored with an unbeaten knock of 100 runs on 111 balls, and crucial middle-order contributions steered India past the finish line with eight overs to spare.

The right hander hit seven fours in his record-breaking innings. He was adjudged the Player of the Match for his brilliant knock.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets for 74 runs in his eight overs. Abrar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah chipped in with one wicket each.

Earlier, after winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat. The Men in Green got off to a steady start after opting to bat first as the new opening pair of Babar Azam (23) and Imam-ul-Haq (10) stitched together a 41-run stand.

However, Babar fell prey to Hardik Pandya, while Imam was run out in the span of six balls, leaving Pakistan reeling at 47-2 in 9.2 overs.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel joined hands to help the team recover, knitting a 104-run partnership for the third wicket from 144 balls.

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Just when Pakistan batters looked to switch gears, India made a comeback with two quick wickets, reducing the Green Shirts to 159-4 inside 25 overs.

Rizwan was castled by Axar Patel after scoring a scratchy 46 off 77, featuring three boundaries.

Meanwhile, Saud played a gutsy 62-run knock from 76 balls with the help of five boundaries before falling to Pandya.

Ravindra Jadeja bowled Tayyab Tahir (4) before Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah added valuable 35 runs for the sixth wicket.

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However, Kuldeep Yadav halted their momentum by dismissing Salman (19) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0) on back-to-back balls to further add to Pakistan’s troubles.

Khushdil Shah then played a 38-run cameo off 39 balls, which included two sixes to take Pakistan’s total to 241. Harshit Rana ended his innings, bringing the Green Shirts’ innings to a dramatic close in the final over.

Kuldeep Yadav led India’s bowling attack with three wickets, while Hardik Pandya managed two. Harshit Rana, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja bagged one wicket each.