Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Wins Toss, Shami’s Struggles Mark India-Pakistan Clash

DUBAI: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the fifth match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

India and Pakistan have clashed in 135 ODIs, with Pakistan leading the tally with 73 wins, while India has secured victory in 57 matches. Five encounters ended without a result.

• Matches played: 135
• Pakistan won: 73
• India won: 57
• No Result: 5

HEAD-TO-HEAD IN CHAMPIONS TROPHY

The arch-rivals have met five times in the Champions Trophy. Pakistan has the upper hand with three wins, while India has claimed two victories.

• Matches played: 5
• Pakistan won: 3
• India won: 2

FORM GUIDE

The Rizwan-led Pakistan side seeks to bounce back after losing the home tri-series final and their Champions Trophy 2025 opener.

Meanwhile, India aims to sustain their winning momentum, having triumphed in their home white-ball series against England and their opening match against Bangladesh.

Recent form:

• Pakistan: W, L, W, L, L (most recent first)
• India: L, W, W, W, W

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

India’s seasoned fast bowler Mohammed Shami endured a nightmarish start to his spell in the much-anticipated showdown against Pakistan, inadvertently etching his name onto an unenviable record list.

Tasked with spearheading India’s bowling attack, Shami struggled to find his rhythm, laboring through an excruciating 11-ball first over—a dubious distinction that now sees him share the record for the most deliveries bowled in a single over by an Indian in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).

The right-arm pacer grappled with control, sending five wides skidding past both flanks of the wicket, further compounding his torrid start. By doing so, he found himself in the company of fellow Indian quicks Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan, who had similarly endured 11-ball overs in 2006 and 2003, respectively.

Most Balls Bowled in a Single Over for India in an ODI (Including Wides and No-Balls):

• Mohammed Shami – 11 balls vs PAK, Dubai (2025)
• Irfan Pathan – 11 balls vs WI, Kingston (2006)
• Zaheer Khan – 11 balls vs AUS, Wankhede (2003)

Curiously, all three instances of such prolonged overs occurred in the opening over of their respective innings, hinting at a trend of early-match jitters.

To make matters worse, Shami’s woes extended beyond wayward bowling. By the time he reached his third over, he seemingly sustained an ankle injury, necessitating immediate medical attention. Though he bravely soldiered on to finish the over, conceding a mere three runs in the process, he was ultimately unable to return for his fourth over. His departure prompted captain Rohit Sharma to introduce Hardik Pandya into the attack—a move that paid dividends instantly. Pandya delivered a breakthrough India sorely needed, dismissing Pakistan’s linchpin Babar Azam for 23.

Pakistan’s woes deepened in the subsequent over when opener Imam-ul-Haq fell victim to a moment of brilliance in the field—a pinpoint direct hit from Axar Patel sent him packing, further denting Pakistan’s innings.

At the time this report was filed, Pakistan had reached 55/2 in 11 overs, with captain Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel cautiously navigating their way forward, unbeaten on five and four runs, respectively.