21:47(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Victory for India and Hundred for Virat Kohli An ODI century by Virat Kohli after 466 days! ๐ฎ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/0TpKiSFjy9 — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) February 23, 2025 With 2 needed to win Kohli, on 96*, dances down to the left-arm spinner Khushdil and spanks him through the covers for a boundary to seal the win and his 51st ODI century. The master at work, he calculates it to perfection yet again and then signals to his dugout to not be worried as he is out there, something similar to what Suryakumar Yadav did after guiding MI to a win against RCB in IPL 2020. An absolute masterpiece from the chasemaster who has reestablished his authority against a team who gets shivers just by hearing his name. 4th ODI century for Virat Kohli against Pakistan, he looks absolutely elated and has a beaming smile on his face as he gets a warm embrace from Axar Patel. Millions of reiteration of cometh the hour, cometh the man with this performance from Virat Kohli who might have just sealed his place as the greatest player in the ODI format. Yes, this is a format which has been his since the time he has arrived at the big stage and here he is ticking milestones after milestones and more importantly guiding India to a big win once again. Question marks raised all around but this would shut them all down, 82nd international century for Kohli who has reinstated his position in world cricket, if there ever was a doubt. India get two wins in two matches and this virtually seals their spot in the semi-finals now, it has been yet another clinical performance from them as they have got home with 45 balls to spare. Shreyas Iyer's half-century and his century stand with Virat Kohli walking out at 100/2 was really pivotal and a big positive for India. Skipper Rohit's brisk start at the top fueled India's innings yet again and Gill's sumptous shots before he got a ripper on 46 were a testament to why he is the number 1 ODI batter. This big win was really set up by the bowlers though who dismissed Pakistan for 241 in the heat of Dubai earlier in the day. Kuldeep and Hardik were the keys with 5 wickets between them and the twin left-arm spinners Axar and Jadeja played their part too. Shami had an off day but Rana showed maturity beyond his young international age. For Pakistan, it was yet another under-par performance and they have now lost two out of two, even though they are not officially out of the tournament, it might be wise to consider them knocked out of the group stage of the first ICC tournament hosted by them in 29 years. All said and done, this match and this day will belong to one man, Virat Kohli, who has reminded the world that he is still around and there is still no one better at his job. 21:42(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Huge boos from the crowd now Shaheen spills one down the leg side and Rizwan fails to collect, the ball does not go to the fence and the batters cross over. On the next ball, Shaheen again bowls a wide outside off and is greeted by some big boos from the crowd, a couple of balls later Shaheen bowls a bumper over head high and that is yet another wide booed by the crowd. 7 for the win and 8 for Kohli's century. Will Kohli get the century that thousands at the stadium and billions all over want? 21:37(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Huge cheers from the crowd as Kohli survives a LBW review on 86 The enitre stadium waited with bated breath as Pakistan reviewed an LBW call against Kohli off the bowling of Salman Ali Agha whom he tried to sweep but could not manage to. Got hit in front of the pads but the umpire shook his head. There was a murmur on UltraEdge on the replays when the ball went past the bat and you could hear what the crowd wanted as the umpire signaled not out. 21:35(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Pandya falls, India need 19 for the win and Kohli needs 14 for the century Shaheen gets Pandya off a bumper down the leg side as the all-rounder gloves one through to Rizwan, India are 4 down now and Axar does walk out now. 21:32(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 A race for Kohli to 100 as Pandya blazes away Chants of Kohli, Kohli reverberate at the Dubai International Stadium as there is a nice subplot developing here. Pandya has walked out and bashed Shaheen down the ground for a boundary and then a couple over mid-off, Kohli is still on 85 with India needing 22. 21:28(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Imam-ul-Haq hangs on to a spectacular catch but it is too late for Pakistan as Iyer departs India just need 28 off 67 balls now as Imam leaps at cover and plucks one out of his right, Pakistan themselves know that it is too little too late now. Iyer was looking to put the foot down, he had already hit Khushdil downtown for a boundary and was looking to go through the covers by backing away and charging down, found Imam's hands. Pandya has been granted a promotion. 21:20(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Milestones galore as India canter towards victroy Shreyas Iyer has got to his 21st ODI half-century, the partnership between Kohli and Iyer is past 100 while India has moved past 200 too and now need a mere 41 off 78 balls. This is turning out be a walk in the park for the Men in Blue. The only pertinent question now is will Kohli get to a hundred? He is currently on 81* 20:56(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Iyer is on the charge too, he is bashing the spinners now as Pakistan put another catch down Iyer has been content to play the seocnd fiddle in this partnership against his grain but he is too going on the attack. Sees the spinner Khushdil and reverse sweeps him for a boundary and then sweeps him really fine on the leg side. He has been put down here, Pakistan not helping themselves in the field. It is the same mid-wicket position where the catch has gone down. Iyer spotted a short ball from Khushdil and goes for the hard pull mistimes it towards mid-wicket where it bursts through the hands of Saud Shakeel over his head. Gets the off-spinner Salman in the next over and needs no second invitation, skips down and parks him over mid-wicket for a gigantic 102-m six. Cuts hard in the next over for another boundary and Rizwan is on his haunches, indicatve of Pakistan's position in this match. 20:45(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 A shift in intent from Kohli? India need under 100 to win Rizwan goes back to his strike bowler Shaheen in search of a wicket desperately and he is greeted by a charging Kohli who pops him over mid-on and perhaps signals who is in charge of the situation. He knows a thing or two about navigating a run chase. Iyer, meanwhile has restrained himself and playing as per the situation at the other end. By the time I type this, Kohli has collected two more 2s in the same over, first with a swivel behind square on the leg side and the second with a classic Kohli drive through the covers as the 150 comes up along with the 50 partnership. 20:38(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Question marks over Kohli? Here he is guiding India in yet another run-chase in an ICC event with yet another half-century He lifts a full one outside off from Naseem over cover and it has got enough legs to skate away into the fence, gets to his fifty in 63 balls with 4 fours, typical Virat Kohli . Give this man Pakistan and give this man an ICC tournament whenever you doubt him, you'll know why he is loved all over the world. He celebrates his fifty with multiple raises of the bat but knows that there is a lot more of the job still to be done. 20:27(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 You don't ball short to Iyer these days!! He gets on top of a bumper from Rauf and pulls well in front of square, almost mid-wicket and that goes away for his first boundary. There were days when Iyer would back away and try to do all sorts of things to the short ball but no longer now. The broadcast has already shown the difference in stance for him as compared to the 2023 ODI WC where he was more open-chested and now stands much side on with his feet pointing more towards covers and point. 20:20(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 First boundary after 46 balls, Kohli breaks the shackles Even though there has not been any boundary in the last few overs, the singles have been pretty easy to come with 22 runs in the last 5 overs for India. Kohli finally hooks one off Rauf to the right of fine leg and gets a boundary as he moves into the 40s. This is as crucial a phase as it gets. 20:07(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 .@ashwinravi99 to Abrar Ahmed: pic.twitter.com/iEbxmr1nJa — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) February 23, 2025 A piece of magic needed, a piece of magic delivered! A look of befuddlement on Gill’s face as he gets bamboozled by a ripper from Abrar Ahmed and falls four short of a fifth-successive 50-plus score. Lands on a length with some big revs and rips away squaring Gill up, landed on leg stump and hit the off stump, reminiscant of the Ashwin ball to Hashim Amla in the 2014 T20 World Cup. Replays show that it was a carrom ball flicked away using the middle finger, nothing any batter could have done about it. Iyer will now join Kohli at the crease. 20:02(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Hydration break with India in cruise control Six singles off the previous over from Khushdil, it is seeming to be all too easy for the batters with Pakistan going through the motions. They need wickets and wickets only to have any chance but they seem content to be waiting for a batter’s mistake, even that was not pouched when it came their way. May be a huddle would change their plans, at this moment it looks like either of the batters will get themselves out rather than the Pakistan bowlers getting them out. Maybe an extra fielder inside the circle, some innovative field position, a surprise bowling change, something? Gill, meanwhile, has received some more treatment for his cramps, supposedly in the drinks break. 19:50(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐, ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ป‍โ๏ธVirat Kohli joins the elite 14,000 ODI runs club alongside Sachin & Sangakkara! ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ pic.twitter.com/QuViHrLnEJ — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) February 23, 2025 Kohli scales Mount 14k, becomes the fastest-ever to get there Well, with what shot do you expect him to get there? Yes, a trademark Kohli cover drive between extra-cover and mid-off to take him to the milestone. Gets there in just 287 innings, next fastest being Sachin Tendulkar who got there in 350 innings. Just Kumar Sangakkara and Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the modern master now, in terms of runs in ODIs. He unleashes another cover drive on the up, this time to the left of the cover fielder as Haris Rauf concedes 14 off the over. India are racing along now, 84/1 after 13 overs and Gill has called for some attention to his hamstring, might be a bout of cramps as he was feeling it while running. 19:42(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Gill put down by Khushdil, Kohli’s leading edge falls short Pakistan might rue this already, Haris Rauf has made things happen straight away in his first over but his fielders have let him down. He first induced a leading edge off Kohli which fell short of third man from a hard length outside off as Kohli was looking to turn it into the leg side and then the very next ball Gill pulled one straight to Khushdil at mid-wicket inside the circle who dropped a dolly. Babar goes up to Khushdil and gives an arm around his shoulder while Rauf has his head in his hands. Is that the match already? 19:39(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 End of the first powerplay, India are on track with Gill going strong It has been an eventful first 10 overs. Rohit’s authentic attacking approach halted by a scorching yorker by Shaheen Shah Afridi and then some glorious shot-making from Shubman Gill. India find themselves at 64/1 after the first 10, Pakistan could do well with some wickets quickly to get back in this as they make their first bowling change and bring Haris Rauf into the attack against Virat Kohli, think you all remember the history there? 19:32(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Gill unfurling some shots that would make anyone go gaga Think the number 1 ODI batter in the world did not like Shaheen removing his captain and opening partner. Faces up against him in his next over and takes him apart. He punched down the ground for a couple of runs first, then short-arm pulled it over mid-wicket for a boundary in his authentic way and then came the most regal of them, a sumptuous straight drive with the full face of the bat and a high elbow, supreme insult to the fast bowler. He even then got a leading edge through point for another boundary and then got beaten with one that kept going straight. Meets him with another glorious extra cover drive in the next over, holds the poses for the cameras too. A couple of deliveries later, he charges down the track and lifts the ball over Shaheen’s head for yet another scintillating strike. 19:13(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Shaheen's rattles Rohit's timber with a peach, India lose their first It was looking ominous for Pakistan but Shaheen Shah Afridi has said that I know how to go about this, he had tried the inswinging yorker multiple times before but this time he lands it perfectly right under Rohit Sharma swinging late into him at 143 kmph and there was nothing that the Indian skipper could do as it sneaked through his defense. Out of all the joys in watching this game, a left-armer uprooting the stumps with an inswinger has got to be up there. Rohit Sharma was on 20 off 15 already and had hit Afridi for a four on the previous ball which was a slower one but the ace pacer has come back as a fast bowler should. The Pakistanis in the crowd have found their voices and the atmosphere is electric now as Virat Kohli enters the ring of fire. 19:01(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Fortune favoring the brave so far Gill tried to charge Shaheen at the start of the third over and got a thick inside edge past his leg stump which raced away to the fence. Two streaky boundaries so far - one for each batter. But one thing is for sure, India have made their intentions clear of making use of the powerplay. Laces one through the covers off the frontfoot then, this is so watchable! 18:57(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Ladies and gentlemen, Rohit Sharma is in the house! Well we might have got the answer for the first of our questions? He swung wildly by backing away against Naseem to an outswinger and got a thick edge which flew over slip and then picked one nonchalantly off his hips and sent it 10 rows back into the stands over fine leg. Naseem beats him with an ouswinger on the very next ball, this is proper theater, India are 12/0 after 2 overs. 18:52(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Righteo, all set for the second half! Rohit on strike, Shaheen with the ball, any guesses? The evening has set in at Dubai as both the sets of players are back for the run chase. Rohit defends the first one swinging into the blockhole, leaves the next one shaping away for a wide and then tucks one away off his pads to get off the mark with a single. A hint of swing for Shaheen so far, not a whole lot. Will we see the typical Rohit Sharma of the recent past looking to kill the chase in the powerplay? Will Shaheen be able to dent the Indian top-order once again? Will Gill continue his purple patch? Will Naseem trouble the Indian batters? All of that and much more in the first powerplay. 18:20(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Pakistan have been bowled out for 241 in 49.4 overs, India's target - 242 in 50 overs. Some exceptional skill on show from Harshit Rana in the final over using the slower balls to completely deceive Khushdil who failed to get the first three balls away. The fourth one was a slower one too and Khushdil miscued straight up to Virat Kohli at deep mid-wicket who held on to another safe catch as Pakistan have failed to bat out their full quota of 50 overs. An innings characterized by regular fall of wickets, Pakistan just had one substantian stand which was 104 for the third wicket between Rizwan and Saud but either side of that they lost wickets in clumps. India's bowling was disciplined, so was their fieldling and they would be pretty pleased with their work done in the first half. Saud Shakeel was the top-scorer for Pakistan with a gritty 62 off 76 but he himself has mentioned in an interview to the broadcaster that he could have gone on for longer and thus Pakistan could have gone bigger. But, they lost wickets at crucial stages and it all came down to the lack of partnerships apart from that 104-run one. Babar and Imam fell in the powerplay and then Saud and Rizwan did the donkey work through the middle overs but there was a lack of intent and strike rotation which could have made a difference of some handy runs. Rizwan failed to go big and fell on 46 and Shakeel followed him too as both did not manage to take it to the end as Pakistan slipped from 151/2 at 165/5 and it required a sensible 38-run knock from Khushdil to take them past 240. For India, Hardik took the onus when Shami went off the field and delivered a couple of crucial blows for them. Kuldeep played a key role in the collapse with 3 wickets to his name. Axar and Jadeja were brilliant too through the middle and Rana in the end while Shami went wicketless for a change. It is a slow surface and India would have learned a lot from the first innings where Pakistan played 152 dot balls, they chased 229 against Bangladesh as well and would like to believe that this is well within their grasp. However, this is not going to be straightforward at all and Pakistan would come with some fire with the new ball with early wickets being the key. Who will prevail in the mother of all rivalries? Back in 30 minutes. 18:17(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 14 off the penultimate, Khushdil on strike for the final over with Pakistan at 241/9 A couple of lusty blows in the second-last over, first from Khushdil and then a muscular blow from Haris Rauf pulling away his counterpart for a maximum has taken Pakistan to 240. Rauf was run-out off the final ball trying to go for the two but importantly for them Khushdil will be on strike. Can they get to 250? 18:12(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Khushdil Shah with the late charge The left-hander refused the single off the last ball of the 48th and has started the penultimate over with a maximum off Shami. Can he keep going? 18:06(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Virat Kohli surpassed Mohammad Azharuddin in Most Number of Catches by an Indian. KING FOR A REASON!!! ๐ [JioHotstar] pic.twitter.com/cOGfZZ4MvK — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) February 23, 2025 Another list where Virat Kohli stands at the top With the last catch, Virat Kohli completed 157 catches in ODI cricket which is the most by anyone as a fielder for India. He surpasses Mohammd Azharuddin who was tied on his with 156 catches. Most catches as a fielder for India (ODIs) 157 Virat Kohli *156 Mohd Azharuddin140 Sachin Tendulkar124 Rahul Dravid102 Suresh Raina As far as the world list goes, he is on number three just three catches behind Ricky Ponting. Most catches as a fielder (ODIs) 218 Mahela Jayawardena 160 Ricky Ponting 157* Virat Kohli 156 Mohammad Azharuddin 142 Ross Taylor 18:04(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Kuldeep keeps chipping away, Pakistan lose number 8 This is turning out to be an exceptional spell from Kuldeep, he gets his third, Naseem Shah, this time who chips one straight to Virat Kohli at long-on who took a good catch running forward. Pakistan 222/8 in 46.4 overs. 17:57(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Khushdil and Naseem trying to get respactibility, Pakistan 212/7 after 45 overs Kuldeep has been brilliant with the ball in the last few overs and Rohit is backing his wrist-spinner to deceive the Pakistani tail. Khushdil and Naseem have been sensible and knocking it around colllecting whatever they can. Khushdil would want to stay till the end and look for a big finish. 17:49(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 200 up for Pakistan in 42.3 overs and Kuldeep gets two in two balls right after that India hitting all the right notes and Pakistan have been jolted once more, Kuldeep has removed Salman and Shaheen on successive balls and he will be on a hat-trick. Where is Rohit? Is he in the slips? Naseem Shah walks out to face the hat-trick ball, Rohit is at slip and beside him in Gill at gully. Kuldeep does not get the hat-trick, instead Naseem guides that to gully on the bounce off the backfoot. This over has once again flipped the momentum in favor of India as Kuldeep gets two in an over. First one was the big one of Salman who was involved in a healthy 35-run partnership with Khushdil but then decided to take on the wrist spinner by charging down only to misread the googly and offer a dolly to Jadeja at cover. Post that, Shaheen came in and went out just like that as he was caught dead in front of all three completely flummoxed by another Kuldeep googly, he burnt a review too as well. Khushdil holds they key now for Pakistan, can he take them to a respectable total? 17:34(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Let's go into the final 10 overs, Pakistan 183/5 A mini-partnership between Salman and Khushdil, 18 off 23, who have looked to be proactive so far. Pakistan need this partnership to continue for a large part of the remaining overs with just the bowlers to follow after this. India have a lot of options up there sleeves, 4 for Shami, 5 for Rana and 2 for Pandya while the left-arm spinners Jadeja and Axar have 3 and 1 overs remaining respectively. Rohit has gone to Kuldeep, who has 5, for the 41st. 17:29(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Rohit Sharma not at his 100% Khushdil Shah reverse swept one through the covers off Jadeja between Iyer and Rohit and the Indian skipper did not give it a chase as he is expereincing some discomfort in his hamstring. He has been staning at short fine for a long part of this innings and that is not somewhere he ususally fields. He was also off the field for some time and Gill, the vice-captain, was in charge. More on the Indian captain's fitness as we hear 17:22(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Another one goes, Jadeja joins the party This has taken a big turn in no time and just like that Pakistan have lost half their side. An absolute pearler from Jadeja on the first ball of his new spell, he keeps it on a length at the stumps and it turns ever so slightly and Tayyab ended up playing inside the line. The ball turns just a hint and crashes into middle and off and Pakistan are 165/5 in 36.1 overs with two men in-form Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah at the crease. Three wickets lost in the last 17 balls for 14 runs. 17:16(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Shakeel goes now, both the set batters back in the hut for Pakistan This time Axar takes the catch and Hardik does get a second wicket as Saud Shakeel has thrown it away here. This is hard to understand from the them, after building such a nice platform both the set batters have gifted their wickets away to India who are back on top now. Hardik sticks to his back of a length deliveries into the pitch with pace off and Saud Shakeel picks out Axar at deep square leg on the pull. From From 151/2 to 159/4 in a space of 9 balls, Pakistan have shot themselves in the foot here. Two new men at the crease now, Salman and Tayyab and once again resurrection is the need of the hour when it could have been so different, Pakistan 160/4 after 35 overs. 17:10(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Almost two in the over for Axar, now Kuldeep puts a tough one down It could have been the perfect over for India as Shakeel tried to take Axar on with the slog, he miscued it and Kuldeep running in from long-on just about got there low to his front but could not hold on. That could have beeb a huge moment as both the set batters would have been gone but not to be for India. 17:07(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Axar castles Rizwan, the drop catch does not cost much as the 104-run partnership ends Axar comes to the rescue for India and he goes through the Pakistan skipper to leave his stumps in a mess. Rizwan was looking for the big shots since the last over and he was fell trying to up the ante. Gave the charge to Axar and looked to slog across the line, Axar kept it straight and simple as Rizwan missed and his innings came to an end with the ball crashing into the stumps. A 77-ball 46 run knock from the Pakistan skipper, he will not be there in the end to make it up and now Salman Ali Agha wll join Shakeel in the middle. Meanwhile, that was the first wicket for India in the middle overs (11-40) in the Champions Trophy 2024 after going wicketless against Bangladesh (0/123). 17:06(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Harshit Rana puts down a steepler from Rizwan, Pakistan get to 150 in 33 overs Hardik Pandya almost broke the stand as Rizwan charged him and looked to go big over the leg side, got a big leading edge that went really high over mid-on. Harshit Rana backpedaled and got there but could not steady himslef and put it down, how costly will that prove to be? The partnership has gone past 100 as well now. 16:51(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 63-ball fifty for Saud Shakeel, can he make it big? Drinks come on to the field on a warm evening at Dubai as Saud Shakeel has brought up his 4th ODI half-century. The left-hander has showcased the full range of sweeps from the paddle to the reverse as well as the orthodox one and he will now be looking to kick on. Slowly but surely, Pakistan are striding towards what they would like to be. The score is 137/2 at the end of 31 overs wtih Rizwan (41* off 71) accompanying him in a partnership that has gone up to 90 off 130. As the old adage goes, you double the score at the end of 30 overs if you have wickets in hand, that sets up Pakistan for something around 270. Expect a press down the pedal now! 16:46(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Slow and steady, will it win the race for Pakistan? After a bit of lull, Pakistan have picked it up and have gone at a run-a-ball in the last 5 overs. 129/2 after 30 overs with 50 runs in the last block of 10 overs, Pakistan have built up a nice foundation here with Saud and Rizwan unbeaten on 44* and 39* respectively and the partnership at 82. 16:32(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Shakeel joining in now, Pakistan are changing gears A reverse sweep and a sweep to commence and conclude the 26th over from Kuldeep and then Rizwan brings out the slog sweep immediately after against Jadeja to get a boundary off the first ball and then three more in the next two balls. This is exactly what they need to do rather than allowing the Indian spinners to bowl there overs in the middle overs. The scoreboard reads 116/2 after 27 overs at 4.3 RPO with 17 runs coming off the last 2 overs. 16:27(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Finally a boundary after 56 balls, Pakistan at 99/2 at the halfway mark After umpteen occasions of finding the fielder, Rizwan finally nailed his favorite sweep behind square to Jadeja and got his second boundary in 49 balls, he got his first one off his first ball. The 50-partnership came up in 90 balls and the run-rate still continues to linger under 4. Rizwan is 24* off 53 and Shakeel is 29* off 45 with the spinners, Kuldeep and Jadeja, bowling in tandem now. India have bowled 25 overs in 2 hours, they are currently a few minutes behind the over-rate. 16:11(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Snoozefest The dot ball count rises to 81 in the first 20 overs, that is more than 13 overs in the 20 overs bowled. Last 10 overs - 27/0, Pakistan desperately need to break free and give themselves and the fans something to cheer about. The run-rate has dropped below 4, 79/2 after 20 overs. 16:04(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Pakistan's familiar foe - dot balls 71 dot balls out of 108 in the first 18 overs for the hosts, they are lacking purpose and intent at the crease and that is something that is not happeing for the first time. One may argue that this is a slow deck not making run-scoring easy but surely there has got to be more strike rotation, specially through these middle overs. Another interesting point to be noted is that the short of a length and short deliveries have been more than useful for India, just going at more than 2 an over with the hard lengths. 16:00(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Hardik putting in a big shift Someone who loves the big stage, Hardik Pandya has bowled a 6-over spell giving away just 18 runs and picking up a wicket to go along with it. He has banged it in, pace on or pace off, something that he likes to do and has given it his all on a pace that has not offered a lot of pace or bounce. 15:52(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 A boundary after 32 balls, Saud Shakeel breaks the shackles The dry spell has finally been broken as Shakeel greets Axar into the attack with a lap over the keeper's head at the start of the 16th over. Much needed for Pakistan, they seem to have gone into their shells. 15:43(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Time for the players to hydrate as Pakistan look to rebuild The last few overs have been top-class from India, giving away just 14 runs in the last 5 overs keeping things under control. Pakistan are 61/2 after 14 overs, just 9 runs in the 4 overs post the powerplay. Rizwan (7* off 13) and Saud (8* off 19) are playing far too many dot balls than they would like. Shami has run in full-tilt in his second spell and Hardik has put his hand up on a slow pitch bowling 4 overs for 14 including the Babar wicket. 15:29(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Shami is back and he is bowling now! A sigh of relief for all the Indian fans plus of course the Indian team as Mohammad Shami has got the ball once more. He left the field earlier with an issue with his right shin and has got that fixed and running in now. The speeds are already higher than the initial spell, around the 135-136 kmph mark, the fourth ball is 139.6 kmph, his fastest so far today. 15:22(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 End of the first powerplay, Pakistan 52/2 After a solid start, Pakistan have slipped from 41/0 to 52/2 in a space of couple of overs as the field restrictions end. Pandya got Babar and Imam self-inflicted his dismissal with all the pressure of the dot balls. Shami, Rana, Hardik, Axar and Kuldeep all have bowled within the first 10 with Jadeja the only option remaining. Momentum with India right now but that was a 60-40 powerplay in favor of India. Rizwan and Saud are at the crease for Pakistan, can they stitch together a partnership? Meanwhile, good news for India as Shami is back on the field. 15:18(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Axar catches Imam short with a direct-hit, both Pakistan openers gone now Pakistan commiting harakiri like only they can and they are thrwoing away their solid start. Imam was feeling the heat and he tapped one straight to mid-on off Kuldeep and went through for a suicidal run, Axar hit the bullseye at the non-striker's end and that is the end of the returning southpaw who made 10 off 26. 15:12(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 That celebration by Hardik Pandya to dismiss Babar Azam. ๐ฅฐpic.twitter.com/ivItMoUpHQ — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) February 23, 2025 Hardik bids goodbye to Babar, India get their first breakthrough A promising innings ends from Pakistan's premier batter ends as he nicks off looking for his favorite cover drive to Pandya on a harmless length delivery outside off through to KL as Babar departs for 23 off 26 in the ninth over and the opening partnership is broken on 45. Hardik Pandya waves Babar a friendly good-bye, stands up when Shami is not on the field, such an important breakthrough. 15:08(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Shami has left the field, worrying signs for India Mohammad Shami looked off-color in his first spell today and he has left his field after bowling 3 overs with some issue in his right ankle/calf. India have opted with a double change from either ends with Hardik and Axar replacing their new-ball bowlers. 15:01(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Imam feeling the heat of dot balls, pressure piling up. Imam ul Haq is 9* off 22 at the end of 6 overs and is failing to get a move on. Pakistan have not lost a wicket thus far but this has been a slow start with the score at 26/0 at the end of 6 overs. 14:50(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Make that two, Babar reaches 1000 runs in ICC ODI events A premium cover drive right out of the top drawer a couple of balls later and Babar Azam has arrived. He has thrown the early punches with a couple of boundaries in the fourth over of the innings. How will India respond? 14:48(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 First boundary for Babar, first boundary of the match! After what has been a sluggish start to the innings, Babar whips one from Rana off his pads thorugh mid-wicket with all the timing in the world and gets to the fence. 14:36(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 A wayward start for Shami, 5 wides in the first over. India's premier pacer Mohammad Shami struggled with his radar to kick the match off. The left-right combination of Imam and Babar didn't help him either as he sprayed it around and bowled a total of 5 wides in an 11-ball first over. 14:30(IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Lights, camera, action!! The players are out in the middle and we are all ready for the theater to begin. Imam ul Haq and Babar Azam will open the batting for Pakistan and Mohammad Shami will take the new ball for India. This is a crucial phase of the game right here at the start, the crowd is roaring along as it is now almost packed in the stands. 14:23 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Time for National Anthems It is a sea of blue and green in the stands as the match referee walks out along with on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Paul Reifel followed by both the teams led by their respective skippers Rohit Sharma and Mohaamad Rizwan and they have line up for the natioal anthems in this high-voltage clash. Both the national anthems are being sung aling loud by the large bumber of people in attendance who are expecting a high-voltage encounter. 14:13 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 What about the pitch and the conditions? Ian Bishop and Naseer Hussain mentioned in the pitch report that the pitch to be used today is a fresh one and is a couple of pitches away from the one used against Bangladesh. However, the nature is expected to be pretty similar with the pitch getting slow as the game goes on. There will be a little assistance for the spinners, more for the wrist spinners. The pacers would resort to their pace-off deliveries into the pitch. 81m straight boundaries and an equal of 70m either side with a score of 270 being a good one batting first. 14:10 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 A look at both the teams for today Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav 14:04 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Pakistan win toss and bat, Imam replaces Fakhar while India remain unchanged Huge cheers went up from the gradually filling stands as Ravi Shastri conducted the coin toss in his authentic style. Rizwan won it and had no hesitation to bat adding that they want to put up a big score on the board. Imam-ul-Haq will be playing an ODI for the first time after the ODI WC 2023 and he will be opening with Babar Azam at the top. Rohit Sharma was not too keen on giving out what he would have done had he won the toss. He felt that this fresh pitch will be similar to the one against Bangladesh and will slow down as the game goes along adding that they are going with the same 11. 13:58 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Building up to the toss, what will the teams look like? India might not want to tinker with their winning combination, will there be a surprise with Varun or Arshdeep finding a place? As far as changes is concerned, Pakistan have certainly got to make one at the top with no Fakhar Zaman. His replacement Imam-ul-Haq is seen practicing, so he might slot in at the top. Will there be any other changes for the hosts? The surface slowed down in the second half in the previous match here with not a lot of dew, both the teams might want to have a bat. We're moments away from the coin toss. 13:52 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Look who's here!๐Jasprit Bumrah is in the house for #INDvPAK at Dubai ๐คฉ๐ฅ๐ธ:Sahil Malhotra pic.twitter.com/qN7FRhPTuc — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) February 23, 2025 Jasprit Bumrah is in the house! As much as the Indian fans would have liked the best modern-day fast bowler to be a part of their playing 11, he is in the venue and was just seen meeting up with his mates during practice. He is here to back his team from the stands and he will be hoping that his side comes out on top today. Pakistan might just be happy to see him in the stands and not with the ball running up to bowl. 13:45 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Superstars in action Don't think there is any shortage of big names that are going to take the field today. For India, it is hard to look past Virat Kohli who has been blowing hot and cold in the recent past but if there is one game you would want to bank on him is this one, he loves thriving under high pressure and decimating Pakistan like he has done so often. Shubman Gill is the man in-form for India with two centuries in his last two ODI innings, he was the key figure for the team in blue in their run chase against Bangladesh and will be a key up top. Skipper Rohit Sharma knows a thing or two about high-pressure games, he has been pretty selfless at the top providing India with blistering starts and his role would be a huge one for India specially against the Pakistan new-ball attack. Shaheen Shah Afridi certainly knows how to rock the Indian top-order just like he did in the 2021 T20 World Cup right here in Dubai and he will be a huge role to play today. Babar Azam has been under heavy scrutiny for his lack of runs (or intent) in the recent past but if there is a chance for him to stand up for his country it is right here. 13:40 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 What is at stake? Just a bit of pride? Well, pride of course but both these teams have a whole lot of reasons to bring their absolute A game on the park today. In an unforgiving tournament that gives no room for any slip-ups, hosts Pakistan have already suffered a huge loss against New Zealand in the tournament opener in Karachi. If the pressure of facing India was not enough, Pakistan have a virtual knockout game against their arch-rivals to stay alive in the first ICC tournament they have hosted after 1996. Remember, they are the defending champions too, if that helps matters. As fas as India is concerned, they were clinical in their first game against Bangladesh and are now looking to almost book their spots in the last-4, if they win today. They walk into this contest as the favorites but they will very well know how things went the last time they walked in as the favorties against Pakistan in Champions Trophy, remember Champions Trophy 2017 final? 13:35 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Both the teams have arrived at the venue The men that matter are here at the Dubai International Stadium and live visuals show both the teams going through their practice routines. There is already a buzz at the venue, expect the decibles to go through the roof when the action commences. 13:30 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 The Mother Of All Battles is here! The day that the two cricket-crazy nations have been waiting for has finally arrived and we are just 60 minutes away from live action, are you feeling those butterflies in the stomach? The ring of fire, Dubai International Stadium, has braced itself for what will not just be another cricket match, as the players like to call it, but a battle of attrition between two nations who do not give the other an inch. We've got you covered with every minute detail from the blockbuster contest, let's get going shall we? 11:20 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Brace Yourself for IND vs PAK Thriller ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ 11:15 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 ๐๐ Mohammad Amir's Bold Prediction About Team India ๐ฅ๐ฅ View this post on Instagram A post shared by CricketGully (@cricketgullyofficial) 11:15 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Results of Last 10 IND vs PAK ODIs Results of the last 10 India ๐ฎ๐ณ-Pakistan ๐ต๐ฐ ODI matches ๐ pic.twitter.com/9NbHKmc1m0 — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) February 22, 2025 11:10 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Match Preview India India convincingly defeated Bangladesh in their first match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Mohammed Shami fired up with the ball, while Shubman Gill displayed his class with the bat by scoring a brilliant century. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Axar Patel also contributed in this game. A collective team effort led India to victory in that match and with this momentum on their side, the Men in Blue will aim to beat Pakistan in Dubai and take a step forward towards the knockouts. Pakistan Pakistan, on the other hand, are coming off a defeat against New Zealand in front of their home crowd at Karachi. Their bowlers did bowl well in the initial overs, but they leaked runs in the death overs, exposing their struggles in the final phase yet again. With Fakhar injured, their top order showed no intent in the chase. Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah tried their best to get close to the target, but slow inning of Shakeel, Babar and Rizwan went against them. This match against India is a virtual knockout for them and they will look to go all guns blazing to keep their knockouts hope alive. 11:07 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 What to Expect The surface at the Dubai International Stadium offers good assistance to the bowlers. Batters will need to get their eyes in before unleashing their shots. The average first-innings score in ODIs at this venue is approximately 220, indicating a potential low-scoring thriller. In the last match at this venue, Bangladesh batted first and scored 228 runs. Though the total wasn't challenging, India took 46.3 overs to chase the total, suggesting that a total of around 260-280 could be a match-winning score. 11:05 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Team Updates India Despite Jasprit Bumrah's absence, India bowled exceptionally well, with Mohammed Shami being the standout performer. India is likely to go unchanged in the match against Pakistan. However, if the match-up is taken into consideration, Arshdeep Singh, who has troubled Pakistan previously, could replace Harshit Rana for the high-voltage clash. Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana/Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav Pakistan Pakistan's attacking left-hander and opener, Fakhar Zaman, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to the injury that he suffered in the tournament opener against New Zealand. Imam-ul-Haq has been named as Fakhar's replacement, and he is likely to open the innings for Pakistan in the match against India. Probable XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam/Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed 11:02 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Key Stats to Know Pakistan have defeated India three times in the Champions Trophy, while India have beaten Pakistan twice. In 16 ODIs against Pakistan, Virat Kohli has amassed 678 runs at an average of 52.15, including two half-centuries and three centuries. Rohit Sharma has played in 18 ODI innings against Pakistan, scoring 873 runs at an average of 51.35 with two centuries and eight half-centuries. Shaheen Afridi has taken seven wickets in four ODIs against India. In five innings against Pakistan, Kuldeep Yadav has taken 12 wickets at a bowling strike rate of 22.5. Shaheen Afridi has dismissed Rohit Sharma twice, and Virat Kohli once in ODIs. Kuldeep Yadav has dismissed Babar Azam twice in ODIs. Babar averages 14 and has a strike rate of just 53.8 against him. Hardik Pandya has played seven matches against Pakistan, scoring 209 runs and taking eight wickets. 11:00 (IST): 23 Feb 2025: IND vs PAK, Match 5 Squads of both the teams India Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy. Pakistan Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Saud Shakeel {{GOOGLE_AD_1}}