Hardik, Kuldeep efforts keep Pakistan down to 241

Hardik, Kuldeep efforts keep Pakistan down to 241

Saud Shakeel scored 62 and shared a 104-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan but Pakistan lost wickets in clumps on either side of that partnership as India managed to restrict them to 241 in the crucial Group A encounter of Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India's crafty bowlers, notably Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav, prevented Pakistan from maximizing their advantage after winning the toss on a slow and challenging surface.

After a slow start, Pakistan lost Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq in quick succession.

Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel managed just 27 runs in the next 10 overs before a 104-run partnership.

Rizwan was dismissed by Axar Patel, followed by Shakeel's dismissal by Hardik Pandya.

Pakistan lost 3 for 14, with Jadeja taking a wicket.

Kuldeep Yadav then took two wickets in an over, dismissing Salman Ali Agha and Shaheen Afridi.

Khusdil Shah scored 38 before being dismissed in the final over.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 241 in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46; Kuldeep Yadav 3-40, Hardik Pandya 2-31) vs India