India vs Pakistan Live, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Arch-Rivals Collide in Dubai - A 50-Over Thriller Awaits! Match Time, Head-to-Head, Where to Watch
On Sunday, February 23, 2025, the Dubai International Stadium will transform into a cauldron of raw emotion and unrelenting drama as India square off against Pakistan in a heart-pounding Group A showdown of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
India, roaring after a six-wicket demolition of Bangladesh, are a juggernaut on the prowl. Pakistan, wounded by a 60-run thrashing from New Zealand, are a caged beast ready to strike back. This isn’t just a game it’s a 50-over war between arch-rivals, where every ball could ignite history.
The clock strikes 2:30 PM IST, and the battle begins live for the world to witness. Streaming free on JioHotstar and blazing across Star Sports and Sports18, this is the clash fans have been craving. India, two-time champions (2002, 2013), face Pakistan, the defending kings of 2017. Buckle up Dubai’s desert sands are about to burn.
India’s Unstoppable Force
India stormed into this tournament like a tsunami, with Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 101 carving Bangladesh apart and Mohammed Shami’s fiery 5/53 reducing them to rubble. Captain Rohit Sharma, the Hitman, leads a squad dripping with menace. Gill, a blade unsheathed, opens with Sharma, while Virat Kohli the chase master with ice in his veins lurks at No. 3. Shreyas Iyer’s grit and KL Rahul’s dual threat as keeper-batsman fortify the middle.
Then come the game-changers: Hardik Pandya, a thunderbolt with bat and ball; Ravindra Jadeja, a whirlwind of spin and sorcery; and Axar Patel, the silent assassin. Shami, fresh off his fifer, spearheads a bowling arsenal with rookie Harshit Rana’s raw pace and Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist-spun wizardry. This is India’s 50-over death squad relentless, ruthless, ready to conquer.
India Playing XI
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Axar Patel
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammed Shami
- Kuldeep Yadav
Pakistan’s Desperate Counterstrike
Pakistan’s campaign stuttered out of the gate, humbled by New Zealand despite Babar Azam’s silky 64 and Khushdil Shah’s defiant 69. Fakhar Zaman hero of their 2017 triumph over India with a blazing 114 sidelined by injury. Imam-ul-Haq waits in the wings, but it’s Saud Shakeel who steps up beside Babar, the maestro, to defy India’s might. Mohammad Rizwan, captain and keeper, is the heartbeat, flanked by Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir in a middle order itching to explode.
The real terror lies in their pace battery Shaheen Afridi, a left-arm predator; Naseem Shah, a missile in human form; and Haris Rauf, a whirlwind of fury. Abrar Ahmed’s spin weaves mystery, while Shah’s all-round spark could ignite a miracle. Pakistan are down, but never out this is their shot at redemption in a 50-over slugfest.
Pakistan Playing XI
- Saud Shakeel
- Babar Azam
- Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK)
- Salman Agha
- Tayyab Tahir
- Khushdil Shah
- Shaheen Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Haris Rauf
- Abrar Ahmed
A Rivalry Forged in Fire
135 ODI battles, a saga of blood, sweat, and glory. Pakistan edge it with 73 wins to India’s 57, five games lost to the gods of rain. But the tide has turned India have crushed Pakistan in seven of their last eight 50-over duels. Pakistan’s last stand? That 2017 Champions Trophy final, a 180-run annihilation fueled by Zaman’s blade. In this tournament, Pakistan lead 3-2 over five clashes. Yet, in Dubai’s crucible, India reigned supreme in 2018’s Asia Cup, hammering Pakistan by eight and nine wickets. This 50-over epic is a chance to settle scores.
Titans to Watch
Gill’s blade is on fire his ton against Bangladesh a warning shot. Shami’s pace could rip Pakistan’s soul apart, while Pandya’s chaos factor looms large. And then there’s Kohli averaging over 60 against Pakistan, a gladiator who thrives when the stakes soar. For Pakistan, Babar’s elegance is their beacon, Afridi’s venom their dagger. Shah’s flair and Rizwan’s steel could flip the script. In 50 overs, these warriors will decide who claims the crown.
The Dubai Battlefield
The Dubai International Stadium is a gladiator’s arena pace bites early, spin claws later. Shami, Afridi, and Naseem will unleash hell in the powerplays; Kuldeep and Abrar will dance through the middle. Under the blazing sun, 280-300 could be the gauntlet thrown. No dew, no mercy bat first, pile the runs, and dare the other to chase. This 50-over war will test nerve, skill, and soul.
The Stakes Are Sky-High
India’s victory over Bangladesh was a statement Gill’s grace, Shami’s fire, a team in sync. Pakistan’s loss to New Zealand was a jolt Azam and Shah fought, but the collapse stung. The 2017 champs need a spark; India crave domination. Group A hangs in the balance, and this clash could light the path to glory or doom. Every over, every run, every wicket a pulse-pounding step toward destiny.
Epic Flashpoints
This isn’t cricket it’s warfare. India’s 2007 T20 World Cup final win, the 2011 World Cup semi-final heartbreak for Pakistan, and that 2017 Champions Trophy mauling by Pakistan these are the ghosts that haunt and fuel this rivalry. Dubai’s 2018 Asia Cup saw India crush Pakistan twice, but the Green Shirts’ unpredictability is a dagger in the dark. Fifty overs give room for heroes to rise and legends to fall Sunday will write the next chapter.
Where to Catch the Thunder
The action explodes live at 2:30 PM IST on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Stream it free on JioHotstar every boundary, every roar, right at your fingertips. Star Sports and Sports18 bring the fire to your screens, with English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada feeds screaming across channels. This isn’t just a broadcastit’s a front-row seat to history.
Battles Within the War
Sharma vs Afridi fire meets fury in the opening overs. Kohli vs Babar a clash of titans, run machines dueling for supremacy. Jadeja’s spin vs Pakistan’s middle order a trap waiting to snap. Shami vs Rizwan pace against resolve. Fielding will be the X-factor Jadeja’s rockets, Rahul’s gloves, Pakistan’s desperation.
The Final Thought
India vs Pakistan is a storm that shakes the earth a rivalry where nations hold their breath, where every cheer is a battle cry. India, a machine in motion; Pakistan, a wounded lion ready to roar. Will Gill’s blade carve another masterpiece? Can Afridi’s fire torch India’s dreams? Shami’s wrath or Babar’s calm—who prevails? The Dubai sands will tremble, the crowd will roar, and 50 overs will decide who stands tall.