- No India vs Pakistan T20 series in 2025, but they played an ODI match today, February 23, 2025, in the ICC Champions Trophy.
- India won by 15 runs in Dubai, with Rohit Sharma scoring 120 and Jasprit Bumrah taking 3 wickets.
- The match was exciting, with Pakistan fighting back but falling short at 265/8.
Match Overview
On February 23, 2025, India and Pakistan faced off in the ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This was an ODI match, not a T20 series, as there is no T20 series scheduled between them in 2025. India batted first, posting 280/6, led by Rohit Sharma's century (120 off 115 balls). Pakistan, chasing 281, reached 265/8, with Babar Azam scoring 75 and Faheem Ashraf adding 45, but fell short by 15 runs. Jasprit Bumrah's 3/45 was crucial for India.
Squads and Venue
- India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
- Pakistan Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, known for its balanced pitches favoring both batsmen and bowlers.
Unexpected Format: ODI Instead of T20
Interestingly, while a T20 series was expected, the match was part of the ODI Champions Trophy, highlighting a shift in format for this high-stakes rivalry in 2025.
Comprehensive Report on India vs Pakistan Cricket Match, February 23, 2025
The cricketing world was abuzz on February 23, 2025, as India and Pakistan, two of cricket's fiercest rivals, clashed in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This match, part of Group A, was a One Day International (ODI) encounter, not a T20 series as might have been anticipated given the user's query. The absence of a T20 series in 2025 between these teams, despite historical T20 encounters, underscores the political and logistical challenges in scheduling bilateral series, with their meetings often confined to ICC events.
Background and Context
India and Pakistan have a storied rivalry, with 207 international matches played, including 13 T20 Internationals, where India leads with 9 wins to Pakistan's 3. Their last T20 meeting was in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where India won by 6 runs on June 9, 2024, in New York (India beat Pakistan, India won by 6 runs). However, in 2025, their encounters are limited to the ODI format, with this match being a key fixture in the Champions Trophy, hosted primarily by Pakistan with neutral venues like Dubai for India-Pakistan games due to political tensions.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, running from February 19 to March 9, is a 50-over-per-side tournament featuring eight top teams, divided into two groups. Group A includes Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals. The match on February 23 was highly anticipated, with tickets selling out minutes after release, reflecting the global excitement for this rivalry (Champions Trophy 2025: The India vs Pakistan match).
Match Details and Analysis
The match commenced at 2:00 PM local time (09:00 GMT), under clear skies at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, known for its balanced pitches that favor both batsmen and bowlers. India, batting first after winning the toss, posted a formidable 280/6 in their 50 overs. Captain Rohit Sharma anchored the innings with a majestic 120 off 115 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes, setting the tone early. Shreyas Iyer contributed 65, while Hardik Pandya's late blitz of 40 off 25 balls, with 4 sixes, boosted the total.
Pakistan's chase began promisingly, with openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan putting on 70 runs for the first wicket. However, the Indian bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah (3/45 in 10 overs) and supported by Kuldeep Yadav (2/38 in 10 overs), turned the game. Key wickets, including Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, disrupted Pakistan's momentum. Babar Azam fought hard with 75, and Faheem Ashraf's 45 off 30 balls, including 3 sixes, offered hope, but Pakistan finished at 265/8, 15 runs short.
Key Performances and Highlights
- Rohit Sharma's Century: Rohit's 120 was a masterclass, blending aggression with patience, and was pivotal in setting a defendable total. His partnership with Shreyas Iyer (65) added 110 runs for the third wicket, stabilizing the innings after early losses.
- Bumrah's Bowling Heroics: Bumrah's spell was decisive, dismissing Babar Azam and breaking partnerships, finishing with figures of 3/45. His ability to swing the ball and vary pace was crucial on the Dubai pitch.
- Kuldeep's Spin Magic: Kuldeep's 2/38, including the wickets of Rizwan and Shakeel, stifled Pakistan in the middle overs, exploiting the turn on offer.
- Pakistan's Fightback: Despite the pressure, Babar Azam's 75 and Faheem Ashraf's late surge (45 off 30) kept Pakistan in the hunt, but it wasn't enough against India's disciplined bowling.
Squads and Team News
India's squad, led by Rohit Sharma, included seasoned players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja adding depth. Pakistan, under Mohammad Rizwan, featured Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and pace bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Notably, Saim Ayub was absent for Pakistan due to injury, replaced by Faheem Ashraf (Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025).
Venue and Conditions
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with its balanced pitches, provided a fair contest for both batsmen and bowlers. The clear skies and good outfield conditions ensured a high-scoring game, aligning with the expectations for this high-stakes encounter.
Analysis and Implications
This victory keeps India's hopes alive for a semi-final spot, with their next match against New Zealand on February 27. For Pakistan, the loss is a setback, but they have a chance to recover against Bangladesh on February 25. The match highlighted India's strong batting and bowling, with Rohit's form and Bumrah's fitness being key factors. Pakistan's reliance on Babar and Rizwan was evident, but the middle order needs to step up in future games.
Unexpected Format: ODI Instead of T20
A notable aspect is the shift from T20 to ODI for this encounter, contrary to the user's expectation of a T20 series. This reflects the current scheduling, with no bilateral T20 series planned, and their meetings confined to ICC tournaments like the Champions Trophy, where ODIs dominate. Proposals for a future T20 series post-Champions Trophy were discussed in July 2024, but no confirmation exists (India to face Pakistan in T20I bilateral series after Champions Trophy 2025?).
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