*Kohli also crossed 14,000 runs; becomes only the third batter to do so after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.*
Dubai: India secured yet another dominant victory over Pakistan in an ICC event, defeating their arch-rivals by six wickets in a Group A clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
The match, which was expected to be a closely contested rivalry, saw India cruise to victory with 45 balls to spare, thanks to standout performances from Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Ahead of the match, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh had downplayed the hype surrounding the India-Pakistan rivalry, pointing out the disparity in the quality of both teams. His assessment proved accurate, as Rohit Sharma’s side delivered a clinical performance, leaving Pakistan struggling to advance to the knockout stages of the Champions Trophy and relying on other results to secure a spot in the semifinals.
This loss nearly seals Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, with the defending champions all but eliminated. If Bangladesh loses to New Zealand on Monday, Pakistan will be officially out of the Champions Trophy.
Chasing a target of 242, Virat Kohli starred with a match-winning knock, scoring his 51st ODI century and 82nd international ton to guide India to a comfortable victory. Kohli was well-supported by Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 56 runs. The duo put on a solid 114-run partnership for the third wicket, and Pakistan bowlers had no answer to their patient yet aggressive approach.
India’s chase got off to a strong start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. However, a brilliant inswinging yorker from Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Sharma for 20. Gill, showing his class, played some beautiful straight drives but was dismissed for 46 by Abrar Ahmed’s well-executed leg-spinner.
Kohli and Iyer then took control, with Iyer falling just 28 runs shy of the target while attempting an inside-out shot, departing for 56. Kohli, however, remained unbeaten on 100, ensuring India’s smooth progress to victory, with Axar Patel accompanying him at the crease on 3.
This victory adds to India’s impressive record against Pakistan in ICC events, continuing their dominance in high-stakes encounters.
