Pakistan lost both openers early in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against India. With Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq back in the pavilion, can Pakistan recover, or will India take control? Get the latest match update here
In a highly anticipated clash at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, Pakistan endured a challenging start against arch-rivals India, losing both openers within the first powerplay. The much-hyped encounter took an early dramatic turn, testing Pakistan’s batting depth after a promising yet shaky beginning.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan aimed to build a competitive total on a slow Dubai surface. However, the plan faltered early when star batter Babar Azam, who looked in fine touch, edged a sharp delivery from Hardik Pandya to KL Rahul, departing for 23 runs. This was a major setback, considering Babar’s ability to anchor Pakistan’s innings in high-pressure games.
The situation worsened when Imam-ul-Haq, struggling to find his rhythm, was caught short of his crease by a direct hit from Axar Patel. The left-hander managed just 10 runs, leaving Pakistan at 47/2 and placing enormous responsibility on the middle order to rebuild.
While India’s bowlers dominated the early exchanges, a worrying moment came when Mohammed Shami, leading India’s pace attack, appeared to be in discomfort. The experienced seamer left the field midway through his spell, raising concerns over a potential injury that could impact India’s death-over bowling strategy.
The Dubai pitch, known for its slow and turning nature, has already shown signs of assisting spinners, making shot-making difficult. With both teams eyeing a crucial victory, spin bowlers could play a defining role in shaping the match’s outcome.
As the high-voltage rivalry unfolds, cricket fans worldwide remain glued to the action, eagerly waiting to see whether Pakistan can recover from their early setbacks or if India will capitalize on their dominant start to take control of this crucial Champions Trophy showdown.
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