Kohli Champions India’s win

A brilliant all-round performance, featuring a masterful century by Virat Kohli and a disciplined bowling effort, propelled India’s convincing six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in an ICC Champions Trophy match in Dubai on Sunday.

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Chasing a target of 242, India reached the total in 42.3 overs, with Kohli’s unbeaten 51st ODI century (100*) and Shreyas Iyer’s composed 56 off 67 balls steering the team to a dominant win. The victory strengthened India’s position in the tournament, leaving Pakistan on the brink of elimination.

Kohli quickest to score

14,000 ODI runs

Virat Kohli became the quickest batter to score 14,000 runs in ODI history. He achieved the milestone in 287 innings, bettering Tendulkar’s record of 350 innings and Sangakkara’s 378 outings. He is also the third cricketer to score 14,000 runs after Tendulkar (18,426 runs in 463 ODIs) and Sangakkara (14,234 runs in 404 matches).

Surpasses Azhar’s ODI catch record

Kohli surpassed Mohd Azharuddin’s record of 156 catches by an Indian in ODIs. The 36-year-old batter took his 157th catch to dismiss Naseem Shah in the 47th over and further extended the record by taking his 158th catch to dismiss Khushdil Shah in the final over of the Pakistan innings.

While the match was initially expected to be a close contest, India’s well-rounded performance with both bat and ball made it a one-sided affair.

Kohli, who has faced scrutiny over his recent dismissals, silenced critics with a masterful innings. Pakistan's pace duo, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, attempted to unsettle him, but the former Indian captain remained unfazed. Afridi, riding high after dismissing Rohit Sharma (20 off 15 balls) with a brilliant yorker, could not break Kohli's resolve. Pakistan had pinned their hopes on leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, given Kohli’s struggles against England’s Adil Rashid. However, Kohli was at his fluent best, effortlessly driving through the covers for exquisite boundaries. His partnership with Iyer proved crucial.

The duo built a 100-run stand for the third wicket, stabilising India's chase. Iyer’s innings was highlighted by a stunning 103-meter six off spinner Salman Agha. A dropped catch by Saud Shakeel gave Iyer a second chance, which he capitalised on to help India achieve the target in just 42.3 overs.

Earlier, Shubman Gill (46) appeared set for a second consecutive half-century but was undone by a deceptive carrom ball from Abrar Ahmed. India’s bowling strategy was tested early when Mohammed Shami experienced shin pain in his opening over.

However, all-rounder Hardik Pandya stepped in seamlessly, slowing down Pakistan's scoring. Pandya's tight bowling set the tone, while Kuldeep Yadav (3/40), Axar Patel (1/49), and Ravindra Jadeja (1/40) tightened India's grip. Patel, apart from his economical spell, executed two crucial run-outs that rattled Pakistan's already nervous lineup.

Playing on a slow track, Indian bowlers maintained precision, with disciplined fielding, barring a couple of tough dropped chances. Pakistan's total could have been restricted below 200 if not for Saud Shakeel (62 off 76 balls, five boundaries) and Khushdil Shah (38 off 39 balls, two sixes), who salvaged the innings.

Pakistan began cautiously with openers Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam taking time to settle. With Shami struggling, they aimed to target Harshit Rana, but Pandya's introduction disrupted their plans. In the 8th over, after conceding a boundary, Pandya pulled his length back, forcing an edge off Azam's bat to KL Rahul's gloves. Soon after, Imam's rash attempt at a quick single resulted in a sharp Patel throw running him out.

Shakeel and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 77 balls) tried to stabilise Pakistan's innings with a 104-run partnership for the third wicket. However, their struggle to find boundaries for 55 consecutive deliveries built immense pressure. Rizwan eventually lost his wicket attempting an aggressive shot against Patel, marking Pakistan's downfall. Shakeel, who had played the pull shot well, fell to the same stroke against Pandya, caught by Patel in the deep.

Pakistan's middle and lower order crumbled under India's relentless attack. Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah succumbed to Kuldeep's spin wizardry. Khushdil Shah provided a brief resistance with two sixes, including Pakistan’s first of the innings in the 41st over, but was caught by Kohli off Rana in the final over.

With this victory, India has all but sealed a spot in the semifinals of the tournament.