India beat Pakistan to reach Champions Trophy semi-finals

India  beat Pakistan by six wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday to reach the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

With two wins in as many games, India are all but through to the semifinals. 

Pakistan's chances of reaching the semi-finals were dealt a massive blow after they were defeated comprehensively by India. 

This was Pakistan's second loss in a row after they were beaten by New Zealand in the tournament opener. 

Pakistan were outplayed completely as Virat Kohli slammed a brilliant century off 111 deliveries to guide India to a comfortable victory. 

While the route to the semi-finals look quite difficult for Mohammad Rizwan and Co, their chances are not completely over. 

Pakistan will need to win their final game against Bangladesh and depend on other results to reach the knockout stage.

If New Zealand lose both of their remaining matches against Bangladesh and India, a win for Pakistan in the final game will mean that they will have 2 points from 3 matches along with New Zealand and Bangladesh. 

In that case, they will be able to reach the semifinals with the help of a better net run-rate.

India dismissed Pakistan for 241 after Saud Shakeel struck 62 off 76 balls while skipper Mohammad Rizwan made a laborious 46 from 77 deliveries.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) picked up three wickets and all-rounder Hardik Pandya (2/31) removed Babar Azam (23) and Shakeel.

India completed the chase in 42.3 overs thanks to Virat Kohli (100 not out off 111), Shubman Gill (46 off 52) and Shreyas Iyer (56 off 67).

Skipper Rohit Sharma (20 off 15) too played a few audacious strokes before falling to a beauty from Shaheen Afridi.

Source: Agencies