Pakistan gamers get right into a huddle whereas making an attempt to defend 241 in opposition to India throughout high-stakes conflict of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Dubai, February 23, 2025. — AFPKiwis, India win first two of their respective matches.Defending champions misplaced to New Zealand, India. Pakistan to face Bangladesh in final match on Feb 27.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s lackluster ICC Champions Trophy marketing campaign has officialy come to an finish after New Zealand outclassed Bangladesh within the group-stage conflict of the celebrated match, which runs till March 9.
In the meantime, New Zealand and India have booked their spots for the semi-finals after profitable the primary two of their respective Champions Trophy 2025 matches.
The defending champions and hosts kicked off their defence in opposition to New Zealand, who beat them twice within the just lately held tri-nation ODI sequence which additionally featured South Africa.
Batting first within the curtain-raiser, the Blackcaps racked up a large whole of 320/5, courtesy of anchoring centuries from opener Will Younger and wicketkeeper batter Tom Latham.
Pakistan’s bowling unit struggled in opposition to a disciplined New Zealand batting unit, with Naseem Shah being their standout performer for his two wickets for 63 runs in his 10 overs, whereas his fellow pacer Haris Rauf was much more costly, leaking away 83 runs in as many overs.
In response, the house facet’s batting unit might muster 260 runs earlier than being bundled out in 47.2 overs.
Returning all-rounder Khushdil Shah remained the top-scorer with a 49-ball 69, adopted by Babar Azam, who made a scratchy 64 from 90 deliveries.
The holders then confronted arch-rivals India on Sunday in Dubai, aiming to remain alive within the match.
However, their batting unit didn’t ship within the must-win high-stakes conflict and scored a paltry 241 earlier than getting bowled out within the last over.
Center-order batter Saud Shakeel was the top-scorer with a cautious 62 off 76 deliveries, with assistance from 5 boundaries.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the decide of the bowlers for India, taking three wickets for simply 40 runs in his 9 overs.
In response, India comfortably chased down the 242-run goal for the lack of 4 wickets and 45 balls to spare, because of Virat Kohli’s masterful century.
With two defeats in as many matches, Pakistan’s probabilities to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 had develop into bleak and depending on the outcomes of the remaining Group A matches.
However New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh denied them any likelihood of progressing additional within the eight-team match.
Notably, regardless of being knocked out of the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals race, Pakistan will tackle Bangladesh of their final group-stage match on February 27 in Rawalpindi.
