Kohli’s Century Puts Pakistan on the Verge of Champions Trophy Exit
Batter Virat Kohli showcased a stellar performance, edging Pakistan closer to an early exit from the Champions Trophy with an unbeaten century on Sunday. His masterful 100 off 111 balls—his 51st ODI hundred—guided India to a dominant six-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadium.
India successfully chased the 242-run target in just 42.3 overs, securing their place in the semi-finals.
Nicknamed ‘King Kohli,’ the batting maestro played a pivotal role in shifting the game’s momentum, forming a crucial 114-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer for the third wicket.
Following this loss, Pakistan’s hopes of advancing now rest on Bangladesh defeating New Zealand in their upcoming match in Rawalpindi. If New Zealand secures a win, both Pakistan and Bangladesh will be eliminated from the tournament.
India’s Chase
India got off to a solid start with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting together 31 runs off 29 balls. However, Pakistan struck early when Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled Rohit for 20.
Kohli then joined Gill at the crease, adding a steady 69-run stand. Gill played an impressive knock of 46 off 52 balls, hitting six boundaries before being dismissed in the 18th over.
Kohli continued his dominance, forging a 114-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, ensuring India stayed in firm control of the match. Both players reached their half-centuries, dictating the pace of the chase.
Pakistan managed to break the partnership when Khushdil Shah dismissed Iyer, who contributed 56 off 67 deliveries, including five fours and a six. Shaheen then struck again, removing Hardik Pandya for eight.
Despite losing wickets, India remained unshaken, with Kohli guiding his team to victory with a flawless century, hitting seven boundaries.
For Pakistan, Shaheen took two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah claimed one each.
Pakistan’s Innings
After opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to put up 241 runs before being bowled out in the final over, despite a solid half-century from Saud Shakeel.
The opening duo of Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq got off to a steady start, with Babar leading the charge. However, Hardik Pandya broke the stand at 41, dismissing Babar for 23 off 26 balls, which included five boundaries.
Pakistan suffered another setback when Imam was run out by Axar Patel in the next over, leaving the team struggling at 47/2 in 9.2 overs.
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel then staged a recovery, forming a crucial 104-run partnership for the third wicket. Rizwan contributed 46 runs from 77 balls, including three fours, before being dismissed by Axar Patel in the 34th over.
Saud followed soon after, top-scoring with 62 off 76 deliveries, laced with five boundaries.
Ravindra Jadeja then tightened India’s grip on the match by dismissing Tayyab Tahir for four, reducing Pakistan to 165/5 in 36.1 overs.
Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah attempted to stabilize the innings, adding 35 runs before Kuldeep Yadav struck twice in consecutive deliveries.
Khushdil remained Pakistan’s last hope, scoring 38 off 39 balls with two boundaries. He also built brief partnerships with Naseem Shah (14) and Haris Rauf (8) before Pakistan’s innings folded.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler, taking three wickets. Pandya grabbed two, while Harshit Rana, Jadeja, and Patel picked up one each.
