Dubai, Feb 23 (IANS) Indian Home Minister Amit Shah and other top ministers hailed Team India’s emphatic six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Virat Kohli rolled back the years with a sublime unbeaten 100 off 111 balls, guiding India to a comprehensive six-wicket victory. With this win, India became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Kohli’s knock, laced with seven boundaries, was instrumental in chasing down Pakistan’s target of 242 in just 42.3 overs.
India’s dominance began early as their bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav (3-40) and Hardik Pandya (2-31), bundled Pakistan out for 241 in 49.4 overs. Despite a sluggish surface, Kohli’s class shone through, as he built a crucial 114-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed a 67-ball 56.
Amit Shah wrote on X, “An electrifying performance!! Well played Team India. You have made everyone proud by living up to the expectations of millions of cricket fans around the world. All my best wishes for your future matches. #ChampionsTrophy”
Leader of Oppostion, Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, “Epic triumph for Team India! A masterclass in teamwork and resilience, with Kohli’s century leading the charge. A glorious win for every heart that beats for Indian cricket! #INDvsPAK #ChampionsTrophy.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined in celebrating the triumph, posting, “Feeling happy at the emphatic win of our boys today over Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Congratulations to the India Team for the sweeping victory in the prestige match!”
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, praised Virat Kohli’s historic knock, writing, “What a match and what a win! Brilliant teamwork by our Men in Blue in the #INDvsPAK Champions Trophy match in Dubai. Congratulations to @imVkohli for his match-winning century and the historic milestone of the fastest 14,000 runs in ODIs. Wishing our boys the best for their upcoming matches.”
Chasing 242, Rohit Sharma got off to a confident start, smashing Naseem Shah for a four and a six, becoming only the sixth player to cross 9,000 ODI runs as an opener. Shubman Gill followed suit, driving Shaheen Afridi for a series of exquisite boundaries. However, Shaheen struck back in the fifth over, uprooting Rohit’s stumps with a fiery 143 kmph inswinging yorker.
Gill continued to dominate, collecting 35 runs off 25 balls against Shaheen, but his stay ended on 46 when Abrar Ahmed’s carrom ball shattered his off-stump. Kohli then took charge, pulling Haris Rauf for boundaries and bringing up his half-century with a lofted four over the in-field against Naseem Shah. He also achieved the remarkable milestone of becoming the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs.
Iyer, initially watchful, opened up against Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha, smashing boundaries at will. He reached his fifty off 63 balls, but perished soon after, slashing a catch to extra cover. With just a handful of runs needed, Hardik Pandya was promoted up the order but fell quickly to a short ball from Shaheen.
With only 12 runs required, there was a moment of suspense over whether Kohli would reach his century. However, he ensured the milestone by stepping down the track and drilling Khushdil through extra cover for a boundary, raising his bat to acknowledge the roaring crowd.
Earlier in the game, Pakistan’s innings lacked momentum, despite a 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46). From a comfortable 151-2, they collapsed, losing wickets in quick succession. Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Harshit Rana chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, while Kuldeep Yadav spun his magic in the death overs, dismissing Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah in quick succession.
Pakistan’s total of 241 was well below par on a pitch that slowed down as the game progressed, and India’s clinical chase ensured their arch-rivals suffered their second straight loss, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
–IANS
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