The India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is always an intense rivalry. This time, Pakistan chose to bat first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, the contest between Babar Azam and Hardik Pandya became a key moment in the match.
- Babar Azam fell early to Hardik Pandya after scoring 23 runs.
- Hardik Pandya has now dismissed Babar Azam twice in ODIs.
- In 7 innings, Babar has scored 75 runs off 71 balls against Pandya.
- India’s disciplined bowling put early pressure on Pakistan.
Babar Azam’s Struggle Against Hardik Pandya
Babar Azam is one of the finest batters in the world. However, his record against Hardik Pandya in ODIs shows he struggles against the Indian all-rounder’s variations. Let’s look at the stats:
Babar Azam vs Hardik Pandya in ODIs:
In the ninth over, Pandya bowled a length delivery, and Babar Azam edged it to KL Rahul behind the stumps. This gave India a crucial early breakthrough as Pakistan stood at 41/1.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Innings | 7 |
| Runs | 75 |
| Balls | 71 |
| Dismissals | 2 |
India’s bowlers kept things tight in the powerplay. Hardik Pandya was the first to strike, sending Babar back to the pavilion. At 55/2 in 11 overs, Pakistan was under pressure.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami faced an injury concern. He left the field with leg pain but returned later. However, he was not given the ball immediately. His rhythm seemed off, as he had earlier bowled a wayward over with five wides.
Pakistan’s Middle-Order Challenge
With the top-order struggling, Pakistan’s middle-order had a big responsibility. Imam-ul-Haq was at the crease with 10 runs off 24 balls, and Saud Shakeel had just arrived. The Indian bowlers were disciplined, making it tough for the batters to score freely.
This battle between Babar Azam and Hardik Pandya could play a big role in future India vs Pakistan clashes. If Babar wants to dominate, he must find a way to counter Pandya’s deliveries.
The rivalry between Babar Azam and Hardik Pandya adds more excitement to India vs Pakistan matches. With Pandya having the upper hand in ODIs, Babar will look to improve his approach in future games. Cricket fans will eagerly watch their next encounter.
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
