IND vs PAK: India’s Virat Kohli greets Pakistan’s Babar Azam before the start of play in their ICC Champions Trophy clash. (Screenshot: JioHotstar)
IND vs PAK: India and Pakistan cricket fans might forever argue over which of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam is the better player, but for both the players, there’s not real enmity. This became apparent when both players were spotted exchanging pleasantries and chatting briefly before the start of the India versus Pakistan match at the Dubai International Stadium in a group stage game of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday.
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Babar’s stay in the middle did not last long. He scored 23 runs off 26 balls before becoming the first wicket to fall for Pakistan, in the ninth over leaving them 41/1.
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Both Virat Kohli and Babar are under the lens at the Champions Trophy, with their form and runs from their bat being critical for their teams’ chances of winning the Champions Trophy.
After Babar’s wicket, Pakistan’s innings were stabilised by captain Mohammad Rizwan (46) and Saud Shakeel (62). But after both those batters departed in successive overs, Pakistan’s batters lost their way, getting dismissed for 241 runs.
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Pakistan need a win desperately against arch-rivals India in the game on Sunday at Dubai International Stadium. Pakistan had lost the first game of the group stage to New Zealand, leaving them with a mountain to climb in their remaining two games in the group A of the Champions Trophy.
Only the top two teams from each group qualifies for the semis. Failure to make it to the semis will be disastrous for Pakistan because they are the hosts of the event. Pakistan are also the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, having won the title the last time it was held in 2017.
