India and Pakistan are ready to face each other yet again in an ODI…after a period of 16 months. The two teams will play their second Group A match of the Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, 23rd February. Their last stint together was in the T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Well, it will be an intense and the most hyped up battle tomorrow as the two arch-rivals hit the filed, here is a look back at the last ODI match between India and Pakistan. The last time when India and Pakistan met on the field was in the ODI World Cup of 2023. India emerged victorious with a thrilling eight wicket win in Ahmedabad…here is a detailed insight of that day, that year:
India just got all things done right, from the beginning itself. Captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that was quite contrary to the trend it has followed against Pakistan in World Cup matches. And in the past, India has registered a win only once in chasing encounters. But that day was different, unlike the history.
Pakistan’s quick dismissal
The slow pitch proved to be efficient enough in putting up pressure on Pakistani batters. The opening pair of Pakistan Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul- Haq gave a composed start to the visitors, steadying well against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj. Displaying maturity and putting up with the pressure, the openers strived ahead. But they feel shortly after, one by one.
The innings was balanced by Pakistan’s star pair then captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, comfortably building up a 50-run partnership. Swiftly, Babar brought up his second half century of the tournament. Pakistan seemed to be in complete control of the match, with 155-2.
But then, Siraj dismissed Babar. Soon after India had its breakthrough, with Kuldeep Yadav consistently exploiting Saud Shakeel’s sweeps with his spell. Shakeel was dismissed leg before wicket. At the very next delivery, Iftikhar Ahmed lost his wicket. Pakistan had an unlucky free fall of wickets one after the other.
It was Jasprit Bumrah’s turn then, he clinched a worth wicket of Rizwan with an off-cutter at 49, followed by an on-point delivery that knocked Shadab Khan’s stumps. Soon after, Mohammad Nawaz was dismissed by Hardik Pandya. Bumrah gave 2/19 while Siraj had a 1/43, while supported by Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav 2/46 in the middle overs. India opting for five different bowlers was just in favor strengthening their attack.
A promising start came to a disappointing end, when Pakistan was once 155/2 and was folded at meagre 191 all out in 42.5 overs. The foundation established by the openers, went in vain by a quick collapse of the middle order. The batting only had sealed Pakistan’s fate in the match ahead.
India’s thrilling chase run
Just 192 to chase in 50 overs, India started on fierce with its chasing approach, Shubhman Gill and Rohit Sharma taking over the charge. Gill retuned after hit by dengue, he took on the first ball with a boundary, followed by three fours in the next over. But his innings couldn’t last long, Gill was caught off by Shaheen Shah Afridi. But India was in control till then.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma stood to be a hurdle for Pakistan, taking the game away in a blink of an eye. He took on Pakistan’s pace aggressively, but in grip and accuracy. He was tormenting for Shaheen, Nawaz and Haris Rauf, smashing them altogether with four sixes within three overs. In the meanwhile, India lost Virat Kohli’s wicket, but the chase continued fearless like the beginning. Rohit’s fifty came over in 36 balls, shortly after he hit a fifth six amid the crowd on Rauf’s ball.
The Indian captain, was however dismissed on a slower from Shaheen while batting at 86. But Rohit Sharma had already done his job, India needed only 30 runs to finish the chase. The remaining task was accomplished by Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul taking it all calmly until the end. Iyer reached his half century, eventually chasing the target leading India to a win in 30.3 overs with 117 balls still remaining.
India then reached to the top spot in the tournament rankings, solidifying itself as the World Cup favorites reaching to the finals undefeated. It was unbeaten series of India in World Cups against Pakistan.
The T20 World Cup winners will look to continue their winning streak eyeing to win yet another ICC title. India hopes to finish off its drought of a Champions Trophy title after 12 years. They are already charged up after their last win against Bangladesh in the first match, ensuring a semi-final berth. And Pakistan might be in a worry, playing for a survival in Champions Trophy 2025. So, do not miss tomorrow’s group stage fixture between India and Pakistan, stay glued and tuned to your screens!
