Hardik and Kuldeep Lead India’s Bowling Effort to Restrict Pakistan to 241
Pakistan’s Batting Stumbles Despite Shakeel-Rizwan Stand
In a crucial Group A clash of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan struggled to capitalize on their advantage after winning the toss, as India’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav, restricted them to a modest 241. Saud Shakeel scored a resilient 62 and stitched a vital 104-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, but Pakistan lost wickets in clusters, preventing them from setting a formidable total.
Pakistan’s decision to bat first on a slow and challenging surface seemed like the right call, given the venue’s conditions. However, India’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection, ensuring that the defending champions, who were in a must-win scenario, couldn’t dictate terms with the bat.
Table of Contents
A Chaotic Start for India with the Ball
The much-anticipated clash began on an anti-climactic note for India as Mohammed Shami, returning to the side, struggled with his radar. His first over lasted 11 balls, including five wides, giving Pakistan an early boost. With movement on offer, India’s new-ball bowlers initially pitched the ball up, allowing Babar Azam to find his rhythm with a couple of elegant drives to the boundary.
There was a moment of concern for India when Shami had to leave the field after his third over due to discomfort in his right knee. Although he returned later to bowl five more overs, the early setback forced Rohit Sharma to bring Hardik Pandya into the attack sooner than planned. The all-rounder responded brilliantly, immediately adjusting his length and disrupting Pakistan’s early momentum.
Hardik Strikes Early as Pakistan Lose Key Wickets
After a brisk 41-run stand for the first wicket, Hardik provided India with a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Babar Azam. The Pakistan captain attempted an expansive drive against a delivery that wasn’t full enough and edged it to the wicketkeeper. The dismissal rattled Pakistan, and their troubles worsened in the very next over when Imam-ul-Haq attempted an ill-judged single and was caught short of the crease by a sharp direct hit from Axar Patel.
Despite scoring 52 runs in the PowerPlay, Pakistan’s innings lost momentum as India quickly recalibrated their bowling lengths. The Indian bowlers tightened their grip, restricting free-flowing strokes and cutting down scoring opportunities. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel found it increasingly difficult to find gaps as the fielders inside the ring choked the run flow.
Dot Ball Pressure and Middle-Overs Struggles
Pakistan’s scoring rate took a significant hit in the next phase of play. In the 10 overs following the PowerPlay, Rizwan and Shakeel could only manage 27 runs, with dot balls piling up at an alarming rate. By the 25th over, Pakistan had already played 95 dot balls, illustrating India’s stranglehold over their innings.
Sensing the need for acceleration, Rizwan and Shakeel decided to take on India’s spinners. When Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav bowled in tandem, Rizwan played a confident sweep for a boundary off Jadeja. In the next over, Shakeel executed both conventional and reverse sweeps against Kuldeep, collecting a couple of well-placed fours.
Their partnership slowly but steadily crossed the 100-run mark, with Shakeel reaching his half-century in 63 balls. Pakistan seemed to be regaining control, but just when they were gearing up for a late flourish, India struck again to dismantle their middle order.
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Axar and Hardik Trigger Pakistan’s Collapse
Pakistan’s fortunes took another turn when Mohammad Rizwan, who had been cautious in his approach, survived a close call as Harshit Rana put down a tough chance off Hardik. However, India didn’t have to wait long for their breakthrough. In the very next over, Axar Patel removed Rizwan, who charged down the track and misjudged the delivery, ending up yorking himself.
Shakeel was also given a reprieve when Kuldeep Yadav dropped a challenging catch at long-on off Axar’s bowling. But the missed opportunity didn’t cost India much, as Hardik struck in the following over to dismiss the well-set Shakeel with a sharp bouncer. Pakistan had lost both their set batters in quick succession, bringing India back into the driver’s seat.
From a promising position at 151/2, Pakistan found themselves slipping, losing three wickets for just 14 runs. The collapse mirrored their struggles against India in previous encounters, particularly their meltdown in the 2023 World Cup match between the two sides.
Lower-Order Resistance and Kuldeep’s Double Blow
Pakistan’s lower middle order tried to mount a recovery through Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha, who added 35 runs in a steady partnership. However, just as they looked to push the scoring rate past 200, Kuldeep Yadav delivered a decisive blow with a double-wicket over.
First, Salman Ali Agha attempted an ambitious swipe across the line but only managed a leading edge to point. Off the very next delivery, Kuldeep outfoxed Shaheen Afridi with a well-disguised googly, trapping him plumb in front. Pakistan’s hopes of a late flourish faded as they continued to lose wickets in quick succession.
Despite Khushdil Shah’s efforts, which included two well-struck sixes off Shami in his 38-run knock off 39 balls, Pakistan’s innings wrapped up in the final over for 241. While they believed the total was competitive on a slow pitch, they faced the daunting task of defending it against a formidable Indian batting lineup.
India’s Tactical Superiority and Pakistan’s Inconsistencies
India’s ability to adjust their strategies played a key role in restricting Pakistan. Where Pakistan faltered by losing wickets in clusters and failing to accelerate at the right moments, India’s bowlers executed their plans meticulously. Hardik Pandya’s early strikes set the tone, while Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel controlled the middle overs with their variations.
Pakistan’s decision to bat first seemed justified initially, but their inability to build on partnerships and capitalize on key moments proved costly. The defending champions now needed an inspired bowling performance to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Match Summary and Key Takeaways
Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 241 in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46; Kuldeep Yadav 3-40, Hardik Pandya 2-31) vs India
India’s chase would now test Pakistan’s bowling attack, which had to defend a total that, while not impossible, would require an exceptional effort against a strong Indian batting order. As the teams headed into the innings break, all eyes were on how Rohit Sharma’s side would approach the target and whether Pakistan’s bowlers could mount a comeback.