India continues to showcase dominance over Pakistan, as they clinched victory by six wickets during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match held on February 23, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium. Virat Kohli's century played a pivotal role, re-establishing India's prowess in the series and emphasizing the stark contrasts between the two teams' current forms.
The match not only highlighted India's comprehensive performance but also underscored Pakistan's troubling decline, with former cricketers voicing their frustrations over the team's lack of competitive spirit. Following the loss, former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad was particularly vocal, stating, "People say the team doesn’t have a system where players are selected through favoritism, but they do. We’ve seen it. We know everything... That was cricket. Today, it has also finished," sparking serious conversations around player selections and team management.
Pakistan, which had previously lost to New Zealand during this tournament, faced another setback, succumbing to their arch-rivals without much fight. This defeat marks yet another chapter of disappointment for the team, which has seen limited success against India in ICC tournaments post their 2017 Champions Trophy victory, creating doubts about the team’s current strategy and mindset.
Many analysts noted how Pakistan seemed to play cautiously, reflecting an underlying fear of failure rather than showcasing their full potential. "Pakistan went past 100 for the loss of two wickets... they were not being adventurous. They were only looking at going past 260 and put on a safe total," noted cricket commentators, emphasizing the necessity for unpredictability and aggression against formidable opponents like India.
Former fast bowler Mohammad Amir echoed similar sentiments, urging the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reassess how players are chosen for the national squad. “I request PCB should not be the criteria for national team selection. The top performers from domestic Cricket should be your priority and not the PSL,” he declared, spotlighting the need for veteran players from domestic leagues to take the forefront over those who may have performed well during franchise competitions like the Pakistan Super League.
Adding to the discussion, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi criticized the old-school mindset within the team, stating, "If you play cricket from 1980-90 mindset in 2025 then you will definitely lose the game." This generational gap approach between the teams shows the pressing need for updates to training and strategy, particularly when matched against India's aggressive style of play.
Contrastingly, India's approach seemed free-spirited and confident, with players at ease chasing down Pakistan’s modest total of 241. Kohli, embracing the role of the team anchor, crafted his innings with finesse, proving yet again to be the ace when challenged. His performance was complemented by Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, who contributed significant runs, demonstrating India's impressive bench strength.
The gap between India and Pakistan has kept widening, as noted by analysts who reviewed the match. The performance differential is stark, with the Indian team appearing not only confident but also filled with youngsters who have thrived under pressure due to competitive exposure from leagues like IPL. "Virat Kohli is out of form, get him to play against a team that's wearing green and boom, there you go," quipped commentators showcasing Kohli's typical performances against Pakistan, indicating how he tends to rise to the occasion.
On the bowling front, India's pace attack, including Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav, restricted Pakistan’s scoring, taking key wickets during the middle overs. Kuldeep's three wickets stood out, as he navigated through threats effectively, paving the way for India's comprehensive victory.
India's victory underlines their position as top contenders for the Champions Trophy, leaving them with favorable prospects as they eye the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Pakistan must reflect deeply on the systemic issues identified during this match, setting forth on finding solutions to reclaim their once formidable cricketing reputation. With the changing dynamics of cricket, it seems the once sizzling rivalry might need some fresh sparks for it to regain its former glory, but for now, India appears to have taken the lead decisively as they prepare for what's next on their Champions Trophy schedule.