27 February 2025
The highly-anticipated matchup between India and Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is more than just a cricket game—it's a battlefield of intense, player-focused duels that could decide who moves forward in the tournament. Set for February 23 in Dubai, the stakes have never been higher, especially for Pakistan, fighting to stay in the game, while India looks to cement its spot in the semi-finals.
Rohit Sharma vs Shaheen Afridi
Rohit Sharma, India's ever-reliable captain, finds himself once again lining up against Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan's fiery left-arm pacer. Though Afridi allowed over 60 runs without taking a wicket against New Zealand, his history with Rohit adds a layer of excitement. Rohit averages 51.39 in general against left-arm pace, but against Afridi in ODIs, the figures stand at 48 runs from 56 balls, with Afridi getting the better of him twice. This contest isn’t just about runs and wickets but about momentum and leadership on the field.
Virat Kohli vs Abrar Ahmed
Next in line is Virat Kohli, facing the young but promising leg-spinner, Abrar Ahmed. With Kohli averaging a mere 4.20 against leg-spin since 2024, Ahmed's strategy will focus on exploiting this apparent chink in the armor. Yet, Kohli boasts 678 ODI runs against Pakistan, so the pressure is on for him to outshine Ahmed’s possibly deceiving deliveries.
Mohammed Shami, fresh off his five-wicket haul against Bangladesh, targets Pakistan's captain Babar Azam. Azam, known for his technical prowess, is dealing with a lower strike rate and will need to navigate Shami’s swinging deliveries, making their first ODI encounter a must-watch.
On another front, Arshdeep Singh is the power play nemesis Saud Shakeel must watch for. Shakeel’s struggle during the early overs provides Arshdeep, with his precision and knack for extracting swing, the perfect opportunity to snatch a quick wicket.
Spinning wizard Ravindra Jadeja goes head-to-head with Mohammad Rizwan, a seasoned player against spin bowlers. Having recently scored 22 off 28 against Jadeja, Rizwan's ability to maneuver amidst tight bowling spells will be crucial.
Finally, Shubman Gill against Shaheen Afridi could be the deciding clash. Despite Gill's current status as the No. 1 ODI batter and his impressive form in the 2023 Asia Cup, his average of 14.50 against Afridi places the spotlight on how he handles this Pakistani pace challenge.
These dramatic face-offs—encapsulated by a spirited fanfare and a rich cricket history—promise a fiery encounter where each match-up might just swing the outcome of this pivotal Champions Trophy clash. Whether it's Rohit's captaincy under pressure or Shaheen's quest for redemption, every ball bowled and every run scored will ripple through this epic cricket rivalry.
