In the Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Pakistan in Dubai, batters struggled on a slow pitch that favored bowlers. Pakistan started well but played cautiously, leading to a modest run rate. Former Indian spinner R Ashwin criticized the Dubai pitch as “tired” on social media, suggesting it posed challenges for chasing teams. India, led by Rohit Sharma, faced a rocky start with Mohammed Shami bowling five wides in the opening over, marking the longest over by an Indian in Champions Trophy history. This encounter highlighted the difficulties of batting on the Dubai pitch, especially compared to previous games.
India faces off against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025© AFP
The Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Pakistan in Dubai featured batsmen finding it tough to score rapidly, with the pitch being a bit sluggish and providing some assistance to the bowlers. Although Pakistan made a decent start, they lost a few wickets, and the run rate remained modest as they approached the game cautiously against a disciplined bowling lineup. Former India spinner R Ashwin took to social media to share his thoughts on the pitch at the Dubai International Stadium, labeling it as ‘tired.’
“Tired pitches in Dubai, don’t equate Pakistan’s past batting performance with this one. The last chase here wasn’t simple,” Ashwin tweeted on X (formerly Twitter).
Tired pitches in Dubai, don’t equate Pakistan’s past batting performance with this one.
Wasn’t the simplest of chases in the last game here.#ChampionsTrophy
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) February 23, 2025
Pakistan kicked off their campaign in Karachi where they fell short of a target of 321, getting bowled out for 260. Ashwin anticipated that the pitch in Dubai would present a stark contrast and suggested that the Indian cricket team would face a challenging chase.
In the meantime, the match got off to a chaotic start for the Rohit Sharma-led team as pacer Mohammed Shami bowled five wides in the opening over of this crucial encounter, earning an undesirable record.
Shami took 11 balls to finish his six-ball over, breaking Jasprit Bumrah’s previous nine-ball over record to set a new benchmark for the longest over by an Indian in the Champions Trophy.
Interestingly, Bumrah’s nine-ball over also occurred against Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final at The Oval, a match India lost by 180 runs, denying them a second tournament title.
Shami’s five wides marked the highest number by any bowler in the opening over of the Champions Trophy. Nonetheless, the record for the most wides in a single over (seven) is held by Tinashe Panyangara of Zimbabwe.
(With ANI inputs)
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