Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the high-voltage match being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. 

India

8th over

Naseem bowled another decent over, conceding three runs.

7th over

Shubman Gill treated Shaheen with utter contempt and smashed him for three boundaries. India had mounted pressure on Pakistan as 14 runs were plundered.

6th over

Naseem bowled a significant over and merely conceded 1 run.

5th over

Shaheen bagged a crucial wicket of Rohit Sharma after conceding a boundary. Shaheen picked up a wicket as well.

2nd over

In the second over, Naseem Shah faced Rohit Sharma, who continued his aggressive approach at the crease. The over saw a mix of defensive and attacking shots from the Indian opener, with some big hits.

Naseem Shah bowled a short delivery that straightened outside off, to which Rohit Sharma responded by riding the bounce and directing it to point, resulting in no run.

The next ball, a back-of-a-length delivery outside off, was defensively jabbed by Rohit to short cover, once again going for no run.

Rohit Sharma made his intentions clear with a powerful stroke over square leg for six. Naseem Shah's short ball into Rohit's hips was picked up cleanly, sailing over the boundary for a huge six.

 Naseem Shah adjusted his length, making the delivery fuller and angling in, but it swung away late past the outside edge of Rohit Sharma’s bat, resulting in no run.

 Another delivery from Naseem Shah was much fuller, angling in but swinging away late, as Rohit again missed the ball, leading to no run.

1st over

Shaheen started off the proceedings for Pakistan with an ambition to perplex the Indian top-order in no time. He bowled brilliantly and conceded merely two runs.

Pakistan: 241/9 - (50 overs)

50th Over

Pakistan all out for 234 as Khushdil's late resistance ends with a top-edged slog sweep.

49th Over

Pakistan's innings ends at 234 all out. Khushdil and Haris Rauf hit sixes, but Rauf gets run out while trying to keep the strike.

48th Over

Pakistan reaches 226/8 after 47.6 overs, struggling to accelerate in the death overs. Harshit Rana keeps it tight, conceding just five runs as Khushdil Shah and Haris Rauf fail to find boundaries.

47th Over

Kuldeep Yadav strikes again as Pakistan loses Naseem Shah at 226/9. Kohli takes a low catch at long-on, while Haris Rauf plays out three dot balls to end the over.

46th Over

Pakistan moves to 221/7 after 45.6 overs, with Khushdil and Naseem rotating the strike. Shami mixes up his lengths but misses the yorker as Pakistan adds seven runs in the over.

45th Over

Pakistan reaches 214/7 after 44.6 overs, with Naseem Shah and Khushdil Shah rotating the strike. Kuldeep Yadav keeps it tidy, conceding just six runs in the over.

44th Over

Naseem Shah edges one for four as Pakistan reaches 208/7 after 43.6 overs. Harshit Rana keeps it tight, conceding just six runs in the over.

43rd Over

Kuldeep Yadav strikes twice in an over, dismissing Agha Salman and Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan stumbles to 202/7. Khushdil Shah brings up 200, but Pakistan’s hopes of a big total fade.

42nd Over

Khushdil Shah launches a massive six over midwicket as Pakistan reaches 194/4 after 41.5 overs. Axar Patel keeps it tight, but singles rotate the strike as Pakistan gears up for the final push.

41th Over

Pakistan is at 185/4 in their ICC Champions Trophy clash against India. Kuldeep Yadav kept it tight, conceding only singles in his over. Khushdil Shah survived a close LBW review, saved by the umpire’s call. With 10 overs left, Pakistan looks to accelerate.

40th over 

Pakistan manages to add only a handful of runs in the over, with singles and cautious play dominating the proceedings. The lack of boundaries in the middle overs continues to put pressure on the batting side. With just 10 overs left, a strong finish is crucial to post a challenging total.

39th over 

Pakistan adds seven runs in the over, thanks to a well-placed reverse sweep by Khushdil Shah that fetched three runs. However, with just 11 overs left, they still need a significant push to reach a competitive total. Salman Agha and Khushdil must take charge to accelerate the innings before the death overs.

38th over 

Pakistan remains under pressure as Axar Patel delivers another tight over, conceding just three runs. Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah are rotating the strike, but boundaries have dried up. With just 12 overs left, Pakistan needs acceleration, yet with half the side back in the pavilion, they must balance aggression with caution.

37th over 

Pakistan’s batting collapse continues as they lose their fifth wicket with just 167 runs on the board. Ravindra Jadeja struck with a brilliant delivery to bowl out Tayyab Tahir for just 4 runs, further denting Pakistan’s hopes of recovery. The scoring rate remains sluggish, with Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha struggling to build momentum. With only a few overs left, Pakistan faces an uphill battle to reach a competitive total.

36th over 

Pakistan continues to tread cautiously as Axar Patel keeps things tight with his disciplined bowling. Tayyab Tahir and Salman Agha manage a few singles, but with wickets falling regularly, the pressure is mounting. The scoring rate remains under control for India, and Pakistan will need a big push in the final overs to post a competitive total.

35th over 

34th over 

Axar Patel struck a crucial blow for India in the 34th over, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan for 46 and breaking Pakistan’s steady partnership. Rizwan, looking to accelerate, stepped out to loft the ball over mid-on but completely missed the delivery, allowing Axar to rattle his stumps. Despite Rana’s earlier drop, India managed to remove Rizwan, restricting further damage. With the scoreboard reading 154/3, Agha Salman joined Saud Shakeel at the crease, as Pakistan now looks to rebuild and maintain momentum.

33rd over 

Pakistan gathered eight runs in the 33rd over as Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel continued to rotate the strike against Hardik Pandya. Rizwan had a lucky escape when a mistimed shot was dropped at wide long-on, while he also managed a couple of twos with smart running. Pandya kept using his variations, including slower balls and short deliveries, but Pakistan’s batters remained steady. With wickets in hand, they are well set for a strong finish.

32nd over 

Pakistan added five runs in the 32nd over as Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan continued to build their partnership steadily. Shakeel played a couple of well-placed shots, including a two through square leg, while Rizwan rotated the strike. Axar Patel kept things tight, but with wickets in hand, Pakistan remains in a strong position to accelerate later in the innings.

31st over 

Saud Shakeel brought up his half-century with a clever lap shot for four as Pakistan added eight runs in the 31st over. Rizwan and Shakeel rotated the strike well, keeping the scoreboard ticking against Jadeja. With wickets in hand, Pakistan looks set to accelerate in the final overs.

30th over 

At the end of the 30th over, Pakistan reached 129/2, maintaining a controlled run rate of 4.30. Axar Patel kept the batsmen in check with tight, accurate deliveries, allowing only three singles in the over. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan continued their patient approach, rotating the strike without taking unnecessary risks. With 10 overs remaining before the final acceleration, Pakistan appears to be setting up a platform for a strong finish in the death overs.

 

29th over 

At the end of the 29th over, Pakistan moved to 126/2, with a steady run rate of 4.34. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel continued to rotate the strike efficiently, collecting singles with well-placed shots. Ravindra Jadeja maintained a tight line, keeping the batsmen in check. Rizwan worked the ball around the field, while Shakeel capitalized on quick singles through the leg side. The duo is building a solid partnership, setting the stage for a strong finish in the later overs.

28th over

Pakistan reached 121/2 at the end of the 28th over, maintaining a run rate of 4.32. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan continued to rotate the strike well, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Shakeel played a well-timed hook shot for two runs, while Rizwan added singles with smart placement. Mohammed Shami bowled a tight over, conceding just five runs with disciplined line and length. Pakistan is building a solid platform, looking to accelerate in the final overs.

27th over

Pakistan reached 116/2 at the end of the 27th over, maintaining a steady run rate of 4.29. Mohammad Rizwan showed intent by finding gaps, including a well-timed slog-sweep for four, while also rotating the strike efficiently. Saud Shakeel continued his composed innings, adding singles to keep the scoreboard ticking. Ravindra Jadeja conceded 9 runs in the over as Pakistan built momentum in the middle overs.

26th over

Saud Shakeel leads the charge with two boundaries off Kuldeep Yadav, bringing some much-needed momentum to Pakistan’s innings. Rizwan remains steady at the other end as the duo builds a solid partnership.

25th over

Ravindra Jadeja kept things tight, conceding just five runs, but Mohammad Rizwan finally broke the boundary drought with a well-timed sweep for four. The rest of the deliveries were cautiously played, as Pakistan continues to rebuild. At the end of 25 overs, Pakistan is 99/2, with Rizwan on 24 (53) and Saud Shakeel on 29 (45).

24st over

Kuldeep Yadav maintained control, giving away four runs in the over. Both Rizwan and Saud Shakeel rotated the strike with singles, but boundaries remained elusive. Rizwan survived a direct hit while completing a quick single. At the end of 24 overs, Pakistan is 94/2, with Rizwan on 20 (48) and Saud on 28 (44).

23rd over

Ravindra Jadeja bowled a tight over, conceding just four runs. Saud Shakeel found a gap for three runs with a well-placed cut shot, while Rizwan added a single. India's disciplined spin attack continued to restrict Pakistan's scoring. At the end of 23 overs, Pakistan stands at 90/2, with Rizwan on 18 (44) and Saud on 26 (42).

22nd over

Pakistan added four runs in a cautious over from Kuldeep Yadav. Rizwan and Saud rotated the strike with singles, but India's disciplined bowling and sharp fielding kept the scoring rate in check. A risky reverse sweep from Saud nearly led to a run-out, but Pakistan survived. At the end of 22 overs, Pakistan stands at 86/2, with Rizwan on 17 (42) and Saud on 23 (38).

21st over

A steady over for Pakistan as they add three runs to the total. Harshit Rana mixed his pace well, rushing Rizwan with a short delivery and keeping Saud in check with disciplined line and length. Rizwan managed to find gaps for a couple of singles, while Saud smartly guided one to sweeper cover. Pakistan continues to rebuild after early setbacks, with Rizwan on 15 and Saud on 21 at the end of 21 overs.

20th Over

Kuldeep Yadav delivers a tight over, conceding just two singles while keeping Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel tied down. His variations in flight and spin trouble Rizwan, who struggles to find gaps, while Shakeel manages a sweep for a single. Kuldeep’s sharp turn and disciplined lines maintain the pressure on Pakistan’s batters.

19th Over

Harshit Rana keeps it tight in the 19th over, conceding just three singles. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan struggle to find boundaries as Rana varies his pace effectively. Shakeel manages a couple of singles with aerial but safe shots, while Rizwan drives and clips without piercing the field. The Indian bowlers maintain control, keeping the pressure on Pakistan’s batters.

18th Over

Axar Patel delivers a tight over, conceding just two singles. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan find it difficult to score freely as Axar maintains a disciplined line and length. Shakeel manages a single to deep square leg, while Rizwan rotates strike with a run to point. The rest of the deliveries are well-defended, keeping the pressure on the batters.

17th Over

Hardik Pandya delivers a disciplined 17th over, giving away just two runs. Rizwan and Saud Shakeel find it tough to break free against India's tight bowling.

16th Over

Saud Shakeel breaks the boundary drought in Axar Patel’s 16th over, scoring Pakistan’s first four in 32 balls. Pakistan adds seven runs as Rizwan and Saud rotate the strike, but India keeps control with tight bowling.

15th Over

Hardik Pandya delivers a controlled 15th over, allowing just two runs. Rizwan and Saud Shakeel find it difficult to break free as India's precise bowling keeps them in check.

14th Over

Shami maintains control in the 14th over, conceding just two runs. Rizwan and Saud Shakeel struggle to break free as India's tight lines keep the pressure on.

13th Over

Hardik Pandya delivers a disciplined 13th over, conceding just one run. Saud Shakeel and Rizwan struggle to find gaps as India's precise bowling keeps the pressure on.

12th over

Shami in the 12th over, conceding just three runs. Rizwan and Saud Shakeel rotate the strike, but India maintains control with disciplined bowling.

11th over

Hardik Pandya keeps it tight in the 11th over, conceding just three runs. Rizwan and Saud Shakeel rotate the strike, but no boundaries come as India maintains pressure.

10th over

A sharp direct hit from Axar Patel sends Imam-ul-Haq back to the pavilion for 10 off 26 balls. His hesitation between the wickets proved costly as India secures their second breakthrough. Patel, already a key figure in India’s white-ball setup, showcases his sharp reflexes in the field. Pakistan now finds itself at 44/2 after 10 overs.

9th over

India lands a crucial breakthrough as Hardik Pandya removes Babar Azam, shifting the momentum. Saud Shakeel walks in to replace the skipper. ESPN Cricinfo praises Pandya’s impact, calling him a game-changer. Pakistan stands at 41/1 after nine overs.

8th over

Axar Patel replaced Harshit Rana, but Pakistan's captain didn't hold back. Babar Azam stepped out and lofted the spinner over long-on for a commanding four. A couple of singles followed, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Pakistan moved to 37/0 after eight overs.

7th over

Hardik Pandya replaced Shami but struggled with his line, conceding India's eighth wide. Babar Azam found the gap on the fifth ball, adding five runs in an otherwise tight over. Pakistan moved to 31/0 after seven overs.

6th over

India tightened the screws in the sixth over, allowing just a single run as their bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length. The Pakistani batters, Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq, found it difficult to rotate the strike, with the Indian fielders cutting off any scoring opportunities. A watchful approach from Pakistan, but India’s pacers are building pressure with every dot ball.

5th over

Harshit Rana tightened his line in his third over, troubling Imam-ul-Haq with extra bounce and movement outside off stump. The left-hander struggled to connect with a few deliveries but managed to add three runs to the total, keeping Pakistan steady at 25/0 at the end of five overs.

4th over

The first boundaries of the innings came off Babar Azam’s bat in Harshit Rana’s second over. The Pakistan skipper found the gaps beautifully, dispatching the ball to the covers and long-on for two classy fours. The newsroom celebrated cautiously, hoping the momentum would continue. With eight runs coming from the over, Pakistan moved to 22/0 after four overs.

3rd over

Imam-ul-Haq tried to find gaps but was restricted by a slow outfield, which denied him boundaries. However, he managed to run two doubles, adding four runs to the total. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the stadium remained electrifying, with Indian fans loudly cheering for their team. BBC’s Aatif Nawaz noted Pakistan’s challenge of adapting to different pitch conditions in the tournament.

2nd over

From the other end, seamer Harshit Rana took charge and conceded four runs in his first over. Babar Azam got off the mark with a couple, while Imam added a single to the total. A wide delivery further contributed to Pakistan’s score, bringing the total to 10/0 after two overs.

1st over

India handed the new ball to Mohammad Shami, their star pacer from the last game against Bangladesh, where he bagged a five-wicket haul. As he charged in for the first delivery, the crowd erupted with chants of "India, India." Imam-ul-Haq took strike and, along with Babar Azam, ensured a steady start, picking up six runs from the opening over.

Cricket's fiercest rivalry reignites today as India and Pakistan face off in the ICC Champions Trophy Group A encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The high-profile match is set to begin at 2:00 PM local time, with both teams eyeing a crucial victory in their campaign.

'Home' captain Mohammed Rizwan wins a crucial toss in a game that Pakistan have to win. He understands the advantage of putting a total on the board and takes it immmediately. One change Fakhar Zaman is out and Imam-ul-Haq has taken his place.

 

Pakistan: 1 Babar Azam, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Saud Shakeel, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyan Tahir, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed

 

Rohit Sharma says what he wanted to do at the toss now doesn't matter. He says the pitch looks on the slower side (which means without any dew, it will keep getting slower, and will become harder to score in the second innings). He backs his team to cope with that though. No changes for India

 

India: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Axar Patel, 6 KL Rahul, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Mohammed Shami

Pitch and Conditions

The match will be played on a previously used pitch, which has shown signs of slowing down as games progress. Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that six-hitting will be difficult, with the straight boundary stretching 81 meters and square boundaries at 70 meters each. The importance of the powerplay cannot be overstated, as scoring is expected to become increasingly challenging once the field restrictions are lifted.

With the match starting at 1 PM, dew is unlikely to be a factor, making the toss a pivotal moment. Batting first and setting a substantial target could prove to be a match-winning strategy. Experts believe a score of 270 might be defendable on this surface.

The Rivalry and Team Preparations

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has long been the sport’s most intense, with passionate fans on both sides eagerly awaiting this contest. However, in recent years, some have questioned whether Pakistan still approaches these matches with the same fiery intensity.

Babar Azam and Haris Rauf were seen closely examining the pitch ahead of the clash, a sign of the careful planning underway in the Pakistan camp. Meanwhile, India will be banking on their top-order strength and bowling attack to gain an upper hand.

A recent fan poll on the greatest rivalry in cricket saw India vs Pakistan lead the way, ahead of Australia vs England and the internal Kohli vs Rohit debate among Indian fans.

Key Players to Watch

For India, captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli will be crucial, while pacer Jasprit Bumrah is expected to play a key role in containing Pakistan’s batting. On the other hand, Pakistan will look to skipper Babar Azam and pacer Shaheen Afridi to lead their charge.

With tensions high and stakes even higher, cricket fans across the world are set for another thrilling chapter in the legendary India-Pakistan cricketing rivalry.