Pakistan's lackluster performance hands India a dominant win

India outplays Pakistan with Kohli’s unbeaten century, sealing a six-wicket win in Champions Trophy 2025.

The Pakistan vs India match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was one of the most awaited games of the tournament. Fans from both countries were excited, hoping to see their team win.

However, India played better on the day, beating Pakistan by six wickets. Let’s take a closer look at what went wrong for Pakistan and what India did right.

Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Once Again

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. But their batting performance was disappointing. The start was shaky as Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam got out early. Once again, Pakistan’s top order could not provide a solid foundation.

The middle order tried to recover. Saud Shakeel played a good knock, scoring 62 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 46 runs. Their 104-run partnership gave Pakistan some hope. However, after they got out, the rest of the batting line-up collapsed.

Pakistan could only manage 241 runs in 50 overs. On a good pitch, this was not a strong total. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan later admitted that the batters were under pressure and failed to handle the situation.

➡ Key Problem: Pakistan's middle-order failed again. They could not convert a decent start into a big total.

India’s Chase: Kohli Shows His Class Again

India’s chase did not start well. Shaheen Afridi bowled an incredible yorker to dismiss Rohit Sharma early. However, Virat Kohli took control of the innings and made sure India did not lose too many wickets.

Kohli formed important partnerships with Shubman Gill (46 runs) and Shreyas Iyer (56 runs). He played carefully at first but then took charge, finishing with a brilliant 100 not out. His innings was a reminder of why he is one of the best batters in the world.

➡ Key Moment: Kohli’s calm and controlled innings took India to victory.

➡ India Won By: 6 wickets with 4.2 overs to spare.

Main Takeaways from the Match

1. Pakistan’s Batting is a Big Concern

Pakistan’s batting has been inconsistent for a long time. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are the most reliable players, but if they fail, the rest of the team struggles. The middle order needs to perform better, especially in big matches.

2. India’s Bowling Was Smart

India’s bowlers, especially Kuldeep Yadav (3/40), bowled with a clear plan. They did not allow Pakistan to score freely, and their fielding was also sharp.

3️. Kohli Continues to be Pakistan’s Nightmare

Virat Kohli has been troubling Pakistan for years, and he did it again. His ability to chase targets under pressure is what makes him one of the greatest batters in history.

What’s Next?

✅ India Almost in Semi-Finals
With this win, India has almost secured a place in the semi-finals. They are looking strong and confident.

❌ Pakistan in Trouble
Pakistan’s chances of making it to the semi-finals are now in danger. They will depend on other teams’ results to qualify, which is not an ideal situation.

Final Thoughts: A Match to Forget for Pakistan

This was another disappointing loss for Pakistan in a big match. The batting problems remain unsolved, and the middle order must step up. If Pakistan wants to compete with top teams, they need to handle pressure better and play smart cricket.

On the other hand, India showed why they are one of the best teams in the world. Their bowlers did their job, and Kohli’s experience made the difference.

Pakistan now has to fight hard in their next matches. Otherwise, they might be heading home earlier than expected.