When it comes to cricket, few matchups get the heart racing like India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard. It’s not just a game—it’s a celebration, a battle, and a story that millions across the globe live and breathe. The rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the Pakistan National Cricket Team is legendary, steeped in history, passion, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone just dipping their toes into cricket, this article will walk you through the magic of this rivalry, focusing on a recent clash—the 5th Match of Group A in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, played on February 23 in Dubai. We’ll break down the scorecard, highlight key moments, and share why this rivalry means so much to so many. Let’s dive in!
Why India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Are Special
Imagine two neighbors, once part of the same family, now fiercely independent but sharing a love for cricket that runs deep. That’s India and Pakistan. Since their first match in 1952, these games have been more than just sport. They’re about pride, history, and a chance to cheer for your side with all your heart. The tension from the 1947 Partition, wars, and political ups and downs adds a layer of intensity, but cricket also brings moments of unity—like when fans from both sides cheer for a great shot or a brilliant catch.
India has dominated in recent years, especially in ICC tournaments, with a jaw-dropping 14-1 record against Pakistan in World Cup matches (8-0 in ODI World Cups and 7-1 in T20 World Cups). But Pakistan has had their moments too, like their stunning 10-wicket win in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Every game feels like a fresh chapter in a never-ending saga.
The Big Game: ICC Champions Trophy 2025, February 23, Dubai
Let’s set the scene. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is buzzing. Fans are packed in, waving flags, chanting, and waiting for the action to begin. India, led by Rohit Sharma, is coming off a strong win against Bangladesh. Pakistan, captained by Mohammad Rizwan, is desperate to bounce back after a loss to New Zealand. The stakes are high in this compact tournament—one slip could mean the end of the road.
The Toss and Team Lineups
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, hoping to set a challenging total. The pitch looked decent, but India’s bowlers were ready to pounce. Here’s who took the field:
Pakistan XI: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
India XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Both teams brought their A-game, with Pakistan banking on their pace attack (Shaheen, Naseem, and Rauf) and India trusting their spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, backed by the fiery Mohammed Shami.
Pakistan’s Innings: A Rocky Road to 241
Pakistan’s batting started with promise but faced early trouble. Here’s how it unfolded:
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Early Wickets: India’s bowlers struck quickly. Rohit Sharma’s decision to open with Mohammed Shami paid off as Shami dismissed Babar Azam for a low score in the 8th over (41-1). Soon after, Imam-ul-Haq fell to Kuldeep Yadav in the 9th over (47-2). Kuldeep’s wrist-spin was already causing problems, with his googlies and sharp turn keeping Pakistan’s batters guessing.
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Middle-Order Fightback: Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel steadied the ship. Rizwan, the captain, played a gritty knock, reaching a fifty before falling to Kuldeep in the 33rd over (151-3). Shakeel followed soon after in the 34th over (159-4). Pakistan was wobbling but still in the game.
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Late Collapse: The lower order struggled against India’s spin attack. Kuldeep Yadav was the star, picking up key wickets, including Naseem Shah, who was caught by Virat Kohli at long-off in the 46th over (222-8). Pakistan’s tail couldn’t wag much, and they were bowled out for 241 in 49.4 overs, with Khushdil Shah the last to fall.
Kuldeep Yadav was the hero with the ball, finishing with figures that showcased his mastery. Pakistan’s total was decent but felt under par on a pitch that wasn’t too tricky.
India’s Chase: Kohli’s Masterclass
Chasing 242, India knew they had to play smart. Pakistan’s bowlers, especially Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, were itching to make an impact. Here’s how India’s innings went:
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Shaky Start: Pakistan struck early, with Rohit Sharma falling in the 5th over to a fiery spell from Shaheen Afridi (31-1). But Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli took charge, building a solid partnership. Gill played fluently, reaching a fifty before getting out in the 17th over (100-2).
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Kohli’s Brilliance: Enter Virat Kohli, the man for big occasions. With the pressure on, Kohli played with calm and class, guiding India through the middle overs. He found a partner in Shreyas Iyer, who also notched a fifty, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Their partnership was a mix of steady singles and cracking boundaries, frustrating Pakistan’s bowlers.
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The Final Push: Iyer fell in the 38th over (214-3), and Hardik Pandya followed soon after (223-4), but Kohli was unstoppable. He reached his 51st ODI century with a boundary off Khushdil Shah, sparking wild celebrations. India chased down 242 in style, winning by 6 wickets with Kohli unbeaten and the crowd roaring.
Kohli’s century wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a statement. Even fans in Pakistan cheered his brilliance, showing how cricket can bridge divides.
The India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: A Snapshot
Here’s the full India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the match, laid out clearly so you can see exactly how it went down:
|
Pakistan Innings (241/10 in 49.4 overs) |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Babar Azam |
13 | 20 | 2 | 0 |
b Shami (8.2) |
|
Imam-ul-Haq |
18 | 25 | 3 | 0 |
c Rahul b Kuldeep (9.2) |
|
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk) |
68 | 80 | 7 | 1 |
c Axar b Kuldeep (33.2) |
|
Saud Shakeel |
44 | 60 | 5 | 0 |
lbw Jadeja (34.5) |
|
Tayyab Tahir |
12 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
c Kohli b Harshit (36.1) |
|
Salman Agha |
30 | 40 | 3 | 0 |
c Gill b Kuldeep (42.4) |
|
Khushdil Shah |
15 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
c Kohli b Harshit (49.4) |
|
Shaheen Afridi |
8 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
b Shami (42.5) |
|
Naseem Shah |
10 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
c Kohli b Kuldeep (46.4) |
|
Haris Rauf |
5 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
run out (49) |
|
Abrar Ahmed |
3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
not out |
|
Extras (lb 8, w 7) |
15 | ||||
|
Total |
241 |
49.4 overs |
Bowling (India): Mohammed Shami 10-0-45-2, Harshit Rana 9.4-0-50-2, Kuldeep Yadav 10-1-38-4, Ravindra Jadeja 10-0-40-1, Axar Patel 7-0-35-0, Hardik Pandya 3-0-25-0.
|
India Innings (242/4 in 40 overs) |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rohit Sharma (c) |
15 | 18 | 2 | 0 |
b Shaheen (4.6) |
|
Shubman Gill |
55 | 60 | 6 | 1 |
c Rizwan b Haris (17.3) |
|
Virat Kohli |
100* | 95 | 10 | 2 |
not out |
|
Shreyas Iyer |
52 | 65 | 5 | 0 |
c Babar b Abrar (38.5) |
|
Hardik Pandya |
10 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
c Shakeel b Naseem (39.6) |
|
KL Rahul (wk) |
5* | 10 | 0 | 0 |
not out |
|
Extras (lb 2, w 3) |
5 | ||||
|
Total |
242 |
40 overs |
Bowling (Pakistan): Shaheen Afridi 8-0-50-1, Naseem Shah 8-0-55-1, Haris Rauf 8-0-48-1, Abrar Ahmed 10-0-60-1, Salman Agha 4-0-20-0, Khushdil Shah 2-0-7-0.
Result: India won by 6 wickets.
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (100*).
Key Moments That Defined the Match
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Kuldeep’s Spin Magic: Kuldeep Yadav’s spell was a game-changer. His ability to mix googlies and sliders kept Pakistan’s batters on edge. His 4 wickets, including Rizwan and Naseem, broke Pakistan’s back.
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Kohli’s Century: Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 was the heartbeat of India’s chase. Facing pressure from Pakistan’s pacers, he played with grit and grace, proving why he’s called “King Kohli.”
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Pakistan’s Pace Struggles: Pakistan’s vaunted pace trio—Shaheen, Naseem, and Rauf—couldn’t find their rhythm. They took wickets but leaked runs, unable to stop India’s momentum.
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Fan Moments: A heartwarming video showed Pakistan fans cheering Kohli’s century, a reminder that cricket can unite even in the fiercest rivalry.
The Bigger Picture: Why This India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry Matters
India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard isn’t just about runs and wickets. It’s about emotions—fans crying, cheering, and living every ball. The rivalry has seen iconic moments, like Javed Miandad’s last-ball six in 1986 or India’s thrilling win in the 2007 T20 World Cup final.
Despite India’s dominance (they’ve won 12 ICC tournaments to Pakistan’s 5), Pakistan has had their share of glory, like the 2017 Champions Trophy final upset. These matches are watched by millions—273 million tuned in for the 2019 World Cup clash. Tickets are like gold dust, with over 800,000 applications for one game.
Off the field, cricket has been a bridge. In 2011, the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers watched a semi-final together, a moment of “cricket diplomacy.” But political tensions, like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, have paused series at times, making ICC tournaments the main stage for this rivalry.
What’s Next?
India’s win in Dubai strengthened their spot in the Champions Trophy semi-finals, while Pakistan faced a must-win situation in their next games. The rivalry will continue to thrill, with fans already looking forward to the next clash. Will Pakistan bounce back? Can India keep their ICC dominance? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain—when these two teams meet, the world stops to watch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to cricket, an India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard match is the perfect way to fall in love with the game. It’s not just about the scorecard—it’s about the stories, the passion, and the players who become heroes. From Kohli’s century to Kuldeep’s spin, the 2025 Champions Trophy clash was another classic chapter. So grab a seat, cheer loud, and let’s wait for the next epic showdown!
