Srinagar, Feb 24: Defending champions Pakistan are on the brink of elimination from the Champions Trophy 2025, their hopes hanging by a thread after a crushing defeat against arch-rivals India on Sunday in Dubai. This marked Pakistan’s second consecutive loss, having already suffered a similar fate in their tournament opener against New Zealand.
In Dubai, Pakistan were completely outplayed as Virat Kohli produced a masterclass, smashing a brilliant century off 111 deliveries to guide India to a comfortable six-wicket victory. The loss has left Pakistan’s path to the semifinals extremely complicated, though their chances are not entirely ruled out yet.
Pakistan will need to win their final game against Bangladesh and depend on other results to reach the knockout stage.
If New Zealand lose both of their remaining matches against Bangladesh and India, a win for Pakistan in the final game will mean that they will have 2 points from 3 matches along with New Zealand and Bangladesh. In that case, they will be able to reach the semifinals with the help of a better net run-rate.
India beat Pakistan by six wickets in a one-sided Champions Trophy clash on Sunday to all but seal a spot in the semifinals.
India dismissed Pakistan for 241 after Saud Shakeel struck 62 off 76 balls while skipper Mohammad Rizwan made a laborious 46 from 77 deliveries.
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) picked up three wickets and all-rounder Hardik Pandya (2/31) removed Babar Azam (23) and Shakeel.
India completed the chase in 42.3 overs thanks to Virat Kohli (100 not out off 111), Shubman Gill (46 off 52) and Shreyas Iyer (56 off 67).
Skipper Rohit Sharma (20 off 15) too played a few audacious strokes before falling to a beauty from Shaheen Afridi.
With two wins in as many games, India are all but through to the semifinals. Pakistan, on the other hand, are on the brink of elimination after losing their first two group games. (NDTV)
