India’s Virat Kohli walks again to the pavilion after dropping his wicket, caught out by Australia’s Ben Dwarshuis off the bowling of Adam Zampa at Dubai Worldwide Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – March 4, 2025. — Reuters
India’s four-wicket victory over Australia within the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final on Tuesday secured them a spot within the last, which can now be held on the picturesque Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium on March 9.
With this outcome, Pakistan will now not host the match’s title conflict, as India’s qualification means the ultimate shifts to a impartial venue. This marks a major second within the occasion, which was Pakistan’s first time internet hosting an ICC match in almost three a long time.
The 2013 champions grew to become the primary crew to guide their spot within the last after they eased previous Australia by 5 wickets on the similar venue on Tuesday.
Simply months earlier than the graduation of the eight-team match, the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to ship its nationwide males’s crew to Pakistan, citing safety issues.
The BCCI’s refusal drew a stern response from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), leading to a protracted standoff between the 2 cricketing our bodies.
The dispute ultimately culminated with PCB proposing a ‘Fusion Formula’, which states that each groups will play their matches at a impartial venue when India or Pakistan is internet hosting an occasion for the subsequent three years.
Batting first, Australia solely scored 260 earlier than getting bowled out in 49.3 overs regardless of half-centuries from skipper Steve Smith and wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey.
Smith remained the top-scorer for Australia with 73 off 96 deliveries, laced with 4 fours and a six, whereas Carey made a 57-ball 61.
Proper-arm pacer Mohammed Shami was the standout bowler for India, selecting up three wickets, adopted by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja with two scalps every.
In response, India comfortably chased down the entire for the lack of six wickets, due to an anchoring 91-run partnership for the third wicket between Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer.
Kohli remained the top-scorer for India with a 98-ball 84, studded with 5 fours, whereas Iyer contributed with a cautious 45-run knock.
