Virat Kohli once again proved why he is a cricket legend. He scored his 51st ODI century and helped India secure a spot in the Champions Trophy semi-finals. With this win, Pakistan is on the verge of elimination, needing other results to stay in the tournament.
- Kohli’s 100 sealed India’s victory*.
- Pakistan collapsed from 151/2 to 241 all out.
- Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya starred with the ball.
- India chased 242 with six wickets in hand.
Match Summary
India won by six wickets, chasing 241 with ease. Kohli led from the front, staying unbeaten on 100 runs. Shreyas Iyer contributed 56, while Shaheen Afridi took 2 wickets for 74 runs.
Pakistan started strong but collapsed in the death overs. Saud Shakeel was the top scorer with 62 runs. Kuldeep Yadav (3-40) and Hardik Pandya (2-31) dismantled their batting lineup.
Kohli’s Historic Feat
Kohli reached 14,000 ODI runs, becoming one of the fastest to achieve this milestone. His century was a masterclass in pressure handling. His innings ensured India’s dominance over their biggest rivals.
India’s Bowling Excellence
- Hardik Pandya: Dismissed Pakistan’s key batters, keeping the run rate low.
- Kuldeep Yadav: His spin confused Pakistan’s lower order, taking three wickets.
- Harshit Rana: Bowled with accuracy, restricting Pakistan’s scoring in the final overs.
Pakistan’s Struggles
Pakistan had promising moments. Shaheen Afridi’s deadly yorker cleaned up Rohit Sharma. Abrar Ahmed’s magic delivery removed Shubman Gill. However, they failed to capitalize on these breakthroughs.
From 151 for 2 in 34 overs, they crumbled, losing their last 8 wickets for 90 runs. Their inability to finish strong cost them the match.
India’s Chase
India had a steady chase. Rohit and Gill provided a quick start before Kohli took charge. In the final moments, Axar Patel sacrificed a run so Kohli could reach his century. The crowd in Dubai erupted in celebrations as India completed the chase.
Impact on the Tournament
- India is now a semi-finalist.
- Pakistan is nearly eliminated, relying on other results.
- Kohli continues to dominate world cricket with his 51st century.
India once again dominated in a high-pressure match. Kohli’s brilliance, along with India’s disciplined bowling, proved too much for Pakistan. With this win, India marches into the semi-finals, while Pakistan faces an uphill battle.
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
