By dubailife 
India Secures Thrilling Victory Over Pakistan in Dubai
India 244 for 4 (Kohli 100, Iyer 56, Gill 46, Afridi 2-74) beat Pakistan 241 (Shakeel 62, Rizwan 46, Kuldeep 3-40, Hardik 2-31) by six wickets*
In a high-stakes clash at Dubai International Stadium, Virat Kohli reaffirmed his legacy with a masterful century, leading India to a commanding six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan. Amid concerns about his form, Kohli silenced critics, surpassing 14,000 runs in ODI cricket and registering his 51st century. His stellar performance propelled India towards a semi-final berth in the Champions Trophy 2025, while significantly denting Pakistan’s qualification hopes.
India entered the contest as clear favourites and lived up to the billing by restricting Pakistan to 241. Hardik Pandya’s all-round brilliance was a defining factor—his ability to dismiss key opposition batters and then contribute with the bat makes him India’s ultimate weapon. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist spin added a tactical edge. His quick, deceptive deliveries kept Pakistan guessing, leading to crucial breakthroughs during the death overs.
Pakistan showcased glimpses of brilliance. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fiery 143kph inswinging yorker shattered Rohit Sharma’s stumps, while Abrar Ahmed’s unplayable carrom ball dismissed a rampant Shubman Gill. However, Pakistan failed to capitalize on these moments, struggling to maintain momentum. The collapse from 151 for 2 in the 34th over to a final total of 241 highlighted their inability to withstand India’s disciplined attack. Harshit Rana’s clever variations made scoring difficult, and his slower balls proved nearly impossible to dispatch.
Dubai’s electrifying atmosphere reached its peak when Kohli stood on the brink of a century. Axar Patel deliberately turned down an easy two to ensure Kohli had the strike, a gesture that delighted the crowd. With 12 runs needed for India’s victory and Kohli’s century, spectators erupted in chants of his name. Pakistan, having suffered a dramatic batting collapse, had already faded from contention long before the final moments.
Mohammad Rizwan had envisioned a different outcome. Walking in at 47 for 2, he struck his first ball for four but then adopted an ultra-defensive approach, crawling to 24 off 50 balls. While Saud Shakeel tried to keep the scoreboard ticking, Rizwan accumulated dot balls, failing to capitalize on Dubai’s relatively better batting conditions under lights. His hesitant innings ended when he mistimed a big shot off Axar Patel, triggering Pakistan’s downfall. Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir followed in quick succession, reducing Pakistan from a solid position to 165 for 5. The lower order crumbled, leaving them exposed for the final overs.
India’s disciplined bowling effort, spearheaded by Hardik Pandya, ensured Pakistan never recovered. Pandya exploited the pitch’s tennis-ball bounce and grip, removing Babar Azam at a crucial juncture when Mohammed Shami was off the field due to a shin injury. Later, he deceived Shakeel with a change of pace just after conceding a boundary. Kuldeep and Rana closed out the innings superbly, conceding only 28 runs in the last 6.4 overs while claiming four wickets.
Shubman Gill provided early momentum in India’s chase, adjusting his footwork to counter Afridi’s full-length deliveries. He dominated the powerplay, showcasing exceptional stroke play, but fell to Abrar Ahmed’s turner. Kohli, initially looking tentative against spin, found his rhythm against the pacers. His signature cover drive off Haris Rauf marked the moment he surpassed 14,000 ODI runs. Pakistan’s pace attack played into Kohli’s strengths, failing to unsettle him with movement or variations.
Shreyas Iyer contributed a crucial half-century, benefiting from technical refinements that improved his handling of short-pitched bowling. However, the spotlight firmly remained on Kohli. Despite hitting just three boundaries in his first 62 balls, he maintained a strong scoring rate. His tactical acumen allowed him to accumulate runs efficiently without resorting to risky strokes. Dubai’s conditions favored stroke play under lights, further aiding Kohli’s fluent innings.
As the match neared its conclusion, Kohli’s century became the focal point. In the 42nd over, he expressed visible frustration when Axar Patel declined a second run, determined to reach the milestone. Off the final ball of the match, Kohli sealed both his century and India’s victory, turning to the dressing room with a confident gesture that seemed to say, “I told you. Relax.” It was a performance that encapsulated his dominance and India’s superiority in this much-anticipated Dubai showdown.