ICC Champions Trophy: India restricts Pakistan to 241 despite Saud Shakeel's fifty

India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy match in Dubai: Pakistan posts 241 against India in Champions Trophy with Shakeel's fifty and Shah's cameo.

Indian bowlers were stunningly accurate but Pakistan managed to post a competitive 241 courtesy Saud Shakeel’s polished fifty and Khushdil Shah’s cameo in the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday (February 23, 2025).

Shakeel (62, 76b, 5x4) was largely fluent and added 104 runs for the third wicket with skipper Mohammad Rizwan (46), but Pakistan never really managed to break the shackles after opting to bat.

IND vs PAK, Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE

The pitch expectedly grew slow once the match entered the middle passage, and the precision of Indian bowlers made the run-making a laboured task with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep led the way (3/40).

There was a period in Pakistan innings when both Rizwan and Shakeel failed to find the boundary rope for 55 consecutive deliveries.

However, they were also forced to traverse a cautious path because of the early departure of Babar Azam (23) and Imam-ul-Haq (10).

Azam looked million dollars while playing those trademark cover drives for a few boundaries off Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya.