Virat Kohli notched up his 51st ODI century as India beat Pakistan once again in an ICC tournament. With the comfortable six-wicket win, India sealed their place in the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) semi-finals.
Pakistan were left to rue another disappointing batting effort. After facing 162 dot balls in their tournament opener against New Zealand, Pakistan batted another 152 dot balls in Dubai as they had to scrap to even get to a somewhat respectable total. On a surface where the ball was holding up at times, 241 was something to bowl at, but they had to be perfect with the ball against a long Indian batting lineup.
Unfortunately for Pakistan, the make up of their attack is far from perfect. They lack a potent fifth bowling option, and when Shaheen Shah Afridi (9.25) and Haris Rauf (7.42) are so expensive, a defeat is imminent. It turned out to be the case as India sealed the chase so comfortably.
Virat Kohli was superb. He got going with some magnificent drives on the up against Rauf. Then, 72 of his 100 runs came in singles and twos in one of the starkest contrasts between he and Pakistan. Such an approach is a key reason why he is one of the all-time greats in ODIs.
In the process, Kohli became the third player in history after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara to notch 14,000 ODI runs. While Tendulkar’s 18,426 runs seems too far away to catch, Kohli is just 150 runs away from becoming the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history.
That too at an average in excess of 58. Brilliant stuff.
Virat Kohli notches up 14,000 ODI runs and 51st century in another chasing masterclass
Virat Kohli combined with Shubman Gill (46) for 69 runs and Shreyas Iyer (56) for 114. Pakistan fought hard at the start of the Virat-Shreyas partnership, but India were mostly in control as Mohammad Rizwan’s team lacked the spin depth to support Abrar Ahmed.
“My job was pretty clear: to control the middle overs, to try and go after the seam bowlers, and not take too many risks against the spinners, but keep rotating strike,” Kohli said after the match, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “And once we strung in a nice partnership, then towards the end, Shreyas [Iyer] accelerated and I got a few boundaries away as well. It was more or less the way I play ODI cricket, so I was happy with the template.”
Here are some reactions to Virat Kohli’s 51st ODI hundred and India’s victory.
The best there is, the best there was and will probably the best there ever will be – Virat Kohli in ODIs
Quite really. The vibe, the mood, the timeline — everything is unmatched when this man scores big. The national happiness index on India's match day is directly proportional to Virat Kohli's runs. There will never be another Virat Kohli. Be grateful and enjoy it while it lasts.
A hundred with a strike rate of 90. Only 28 percent of his runs came in boundaries. In Dubai heat. Once again, tribute to Kohli's fitness. Very few can match him.
Missed most of the chase, but saw some quick highlights and was reminded of something I've always believed: Kohli is a highly underrated puller. Not a six-hitter with that shot, but that's by design because he almost always gets right on top of the ball and rolls his wrists over.
You have to admire how Virat Kohli has 27000+ runs, 81 hundreds @ an average of 52 despite being just a part-time cricketer and full-time sprint runner.
Oh! Pakistan is synonymous with Kohli. Yesterday's practice worked for him. He was picking the length quite well v Abrar. Pick the length early, play late.
Virat is the epitome of someone who gives himself the best chance to succeed by controlling what he can by way of extreme fitness & amazing application. And that’s the best a human being can do, isn’t it? 🙇🙇🙇#INDvsPAK#JioHotstar
insane to think that i've almost witnessed this man score 14k runs in front of my eyes like how cool it is to grow up with him and see him conquer the world and more. with every ton and every failure, i have grown to love him more and i would be doing it for the rest of my life
Ben Duckett’s 165 in the Champions Trophy against Australia impressed one and all, but Herschelle Gibbs wasn’t one of them. The former South Africa batsman believes Duckett cost England the game due to the amount of deliveries he played for the runs he scored.
“2 examples in the space of a few weeks in ODIs, where batters facing 140-plus balls end up losing. Face that many balls you must have atleast 190-200,” Gibbs wrote on X.
2 examples in the space of a few weeks in odis , where batters facing 140 plus balls end up losing . Face that many balls you must have atleast 190-200.
The other example Gibbs is referring to was Matthew Breetzke in the tri-series against New Zealand on February 10. Breetzke achieved the highest individual score by any player on ODI debut, notching up 150 off 148 balls in Lahore. New Zealand went on to chase South Africa’s 304/6 with six wickets and eight balls to spare.
Herschelle Gibbs critical of Ben Duckett innings against Australia
Ben Duckett was dismissed for 165 off 143 balls. He displayed control right throughout the innings, enabling England to think of pushing towards 400 at one stage.
One fan replied to Gibbs saying, “It’s hard to say that England should’ve scored more runs after they scored 350. They should’ve won after scoring 350, needed to take their catches and I’m afraid their bowling was not that good and dew didn’t help. Bowling too dependent on Adil Rashid.”
However, Gibbs pinned the focus on Duckett as he faced 140+ deliveries. “Duckett cost them the game.. scored too slow mate.. They [England] should have got to atleast 380.. same with Breetzke the other day [against New Zealand on February 10],” replied Gibbs.
Duckett cost them the game .. scored to slow mate .. they should have got to atleast 380 .. same with breetske the other day
However, Jos Buttler (23 off 21 balls) and Liam Livingstone (14 off 17 balls) failed to get going. Had one displayed the kind of finishing ability they have, England would have reached 380+ even with Duckett’s final strike rate of 115.38. But, Gibbs’ view is the set player must do more in today’s game.
“Blimey Herschelle. I think you’re being a bit harsh, that defeat wasn’t on Duckett,” replied fan Sean Mallis. “Seamers too expensive on the day and no one else played that T20 style cameo we needed to get too 380 -400.”
Gibbs then reaffirmed his position, stating that 140+ balls in today’s cricket needs to yield more runs. “Mate Breetzke faced 147 balls and got 150 and they also lost the other day,” he wrote. “You face that many balls in today’s cricket you have to get 200-plus.”
Mate breetske faced 147 balls and got 150 and they also lost the other day .. you face that many balls in todays cricket you have to get 200 plus
Australia chased down 351/8 with ease in the end, with the one-dimensional attack hurting England. Josh Inglis’ 86-ball 120* won him the man of the match award. He and Alex Carey combined for a partnership that took Australia from a 19% chance of winning to favouritism. Glenn Maxwell then helped finish the job.
As a result, England face a must-win scenario in their second match of the 2025 Champions Trophy on Wednesday, also at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It will be interesting to see their approach against an Afghanistan side also desperate for a win after losing their opener against South Africa.
Will Jos Buttler’s team aim for controlled aggression again or will it be an all out attack? Time will tell.
Bangladesh face a must-win scenario against the impressive New Zealand in the 6th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT). Rawalpindi will host its first match of this tournament, and good batting conditions are expected.
The Black Caps beat Pakistan easily on the opening day. Will Young and Tom Latham were outstanding, before the bowling attack put the squeeze on the Pakistani batting lineup. They will be hoping for more of the same as they look to seal a semi-final spot.
For Bangladesh, terrible powerplays with bat and ball cost them dearly against India. They fought very hard outside of the first ten overs to make a game of it, but Shubman Gill proved too good in the end. A better start is crucial for the Tigers.
CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Possible Playing XIs
Bangladesh could look to unleash Nahid Rana, possibly in place for Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Rachin Ravindra was reportedly close to playing the game against Pakistan. If he is ready to go here, who does he come in for given Will Young scored a century? The likely candidate would be Michael Bracewell, but then where does Rachin bat? Questions for the Black Caps.
New Zealand: 1. Will Young, 2. Devon Conway, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Rachin Ravindra/Michael Bracewell, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Tom Latham (wk), 7. Glenn Phillips, 8. Mitchell Santner (c), 9. Nathan Smith/Kyle Jamieson, 10. Matt Henry, 11. Will O’Rourke
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather
There have been just five ODIs on this ground since 2006. Pakistan played three ODIs against Zimbabwe in 2020, followed by two against New Zealand in 2023. The average first innings score in these matches is 277.8, with the chasing team winning three times.
A cloudy day is forecast in Rawalpindi with a top of 24 degrees. This cloud cover could reduce dew at night. There is no chance of rain according to AccuWeather.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for BAN vs NZ: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch
Top wicket-keeper picks:
Devon Conway has 270 runs in four ODIs against Bangladesh (avg. 67.50). This includes a fifty and century.
Tom Latham is a strong pick especially if New Zealand bats first. Latham is coming off a superb century against Pakistan and averages 56.50 in 14 innings against Bangladesh.
Key batter picks:
Will Young is also coming off an excellent hundred against Pakistan. In eight ODIs against Bangladesh, Young has scored 360 runs at an average of 51.42. This includes three fifties and a century.
Kane Williamson missed out against Pakistan but can be backed to come good here. In 12 ODIs against Bangladesh, Williamson has scored 500 runs at an average of 62.50 (SR 73.20).
Towhid Hridoy hit a century of his own in the last game against India. Given Bangladesh’s top order worries, Hridoy can get a good opportunity to bat and acquire Dream11 fantasy points.
Top all-rounder picks:
Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted at four in the last game and has a key role in the Bangladesh attack. He has just five wickets in 12 ODIs against New Zealand, but should thrive more in Asian conditions.
Mitchell Santner is in outstanding form. He has picked up ten wickets in his past five ODIs. Axar Patel enjoyed success against Bangladesh earlier this tournament, and Santner will be looking for the same.
Glenn Phillips is a livewire in all three facets of the game. He smashed 61* (39) against Pakistan and bowled nine overs. Although he went wicketless, the fact he’s being called on to bowl provides opportunity for Dream11 fantasy points.
Key bowler picks:
It’s hard to look past Will O’Rourke, who has taken seven wickets in his past two ODIs. The pace and bounce he generates can be very disconcerting for the Bangladeshi batsmen to handle.
Bangladesh’s brittle top order can mean good news for Matt Henry. He has picked up 17 wickets in nine ODIs against the Tigers at an average of 22.70.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams
Daryl Mitchell has smashed 201 ODI runs against Bangladesh at a strike rate of 121.81. He is yet to be dismissed. He can be a great pick in fantasy cricket, but keep an eye on where he is listed in the final XI.
Pitches so far in Pakistan have aided quality spin, so Rishad Hossain can be worth a try. The legspinner bowled nicely in Dubai against India (2/38), although that pitch had more assistance.
Bangladesh have a number of left-handers in their lineup, so expect Michael Bracewell to get through overs in some potentially favourable matchups.
Key Matchups to keep in mind
Taskin Ahmed vs Kane Williamson: 74 balls, 46 runs, two dismissals.
Daryl Mitchell has fine numbers against Taskin Ahmed (24 balls, 37 runs) and Mustafizur Rahman (31 balls, 43 runs).
Matt Henry vs Soumya Sarkar: 40 balls, 38 runs, three dismissals.
CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Match Prediction: Who will win?
New Zealand should win this match.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
Australia’s winning mentality was on show again, this time pulling off the highest successful run chase in any ICC ODI tournament (Champions Trophy or World Cup). The Australians were in big trouble twice with Travis Head (6) and Steve Smith (5) out cheaply before the fifth over, before they fell to 136/4 in the 23rd over, still needing 216 to win.
According to Win Predictor, Australia had a 19% chance of victory. But, they controlled the game from there. Earlier this month, I wrote that Australia must find a way to play both Josh Inglis and Alex Carey in the XI, and it worked a charm. The two were absolutely outstanding, keeping things ticking over to stay in touch with the required run rate. They put on 146 crucial runs, and by the time Carey was out, Australia needed 70 off 50 and were favourites.
The superb Inglis went to another gear, smashing boundary after boundary when it came down to the crunch overs. He finished with an 86-ball 120*, in the process becoming the fifth Australian – male or female – to score a century in all three formats. Glenn Maxwell, who England needed at the crease 15 overs earlier, smashed 32* off 15 to get Australia home with a whopping 15 balls to spare.
Truth be told, this is a memorable win for Australia. Without Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh, the current ODI World Champions were written off by many and near full-strength England were expected to cast them aside.
However, Steve Smith’s team held in for most of the contest, starting with the ball as they restricted England to what seemed a below par 351 in conditions every batter dreams of. Nathan Ellis was particularly impressive despite finishing wicketless, maintaining an economy rate of under five for most of his spell on the Lahore road. Then, as England’s one dimensional attack struggled for impact, Inglis, Carey and Maxwell took the game by the scruff of the neck.
Reactions: Australia praised for winning mentality after beating England by 5 wickets in Lahore
Michael Vaughan, who had predicted an England win before the match, praised Australia for their “incredible chase”. Both Australia and rival fans were full of praise for the team, with one fan writing “to think that Australia managed this monumental win without Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Marsh and Green, with Head and Smith failing, is batshit crazy. Only Australia, honestly.”
Here are some of the reactions to a superb Australian win to kickstart their Champions Trophy campaign.
One of the best one day innings seen in recent times! Josh Inglis gives one day cricket & the champions trophy the much needed boost. Every little helps. Beware of Australia’s champion DNA. 👏👏👏#ChampionsTrophy2025
I'm yet to catch up on the highlights, but I'm a little stunned by what Australia have done. But then again, it's Australia in an ICC tournament — they just seem to elevate their game. Incredible!
Lol, Maxwell casually dropping a 32*(15) after coming in at 71 needed of 50, man is an elite ODI player with everything that he delivers to his team and that isn't talked about often enough.
Number of first choice players missing..A game against arch rivals in the subcontinent..Fans had little to no expectations.. lost the backbones of their batting early… Yet ended up chasing the highest total in ICC events. That is Australia for you. Respect 🙌❤️
Western Australia have produced Cameron Green and Josh Inglis and so is the Australian cricket's future safe in hands. Josh Inglis is a merry out of it by a fair margin. You can never hate him even in your odd days. Mass entertainer on and off the field all these years! pic.twitter.com/YtcrQ5VUUY
Few goons were doubting his leadership as to how he's gonna lead such a weak and inexperienced bowling attack in an ICC event. They doubted his decision at the toss today as well. When all doubters kept questioning us we had a mock outta their face big time. We are CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/i9FioKrk1Z
This is an incredible win, its pre close to an Australia A team with the outs, Travball and Smith fail and we still get the job done. It's honestly incredible how this team does it time and time again. Josh Inglis incredible knock. #ChampionsTrophy#AUSvENG
That chase by Aussies will be sending shivers down the spine of some of the teams in the tournament. Incredible chase. What a batting unit they have. Despite failure of Head and Smith, they got to 350 with 3 overs to go.
The Aussies have arrived at yet another ICC tournament.
I honestly thought Australia did well to restrict England to 352 on that wicket considering the fact they were 200/2 in 30 overs but they conceded 30 runs too many. I didn't believe they could win this game but this is Team Australia for you! They should never be taken lightly!
Next up for Australia is a tough assignment against South Africa in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. For England, they must beat Afghanistan in Lahore on Wednesday to stay alive in this Champions Trophy
It has been centuries galore in the early part of the 2025 Champions Trophy, with seven players notching up hundreds in the first four matches.
It has begged the question – what is the record for most centuries in a single edition of Champions Trophy? There have been nine editions of this tournament to date, and in this article, we will look at the top five in terms of most centuries.
List of Champions Trophy tournaments with the most individual centuries
13 centuries in the 2025 tournament* (Pakistan and UAE)
The 2025 edition set a new record during the eighth match between Afghanistan and England.
Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118*) both hit tons in the opening game against Pakistan. Towhid Hridoy (100) and Shubman Gill (101*) scored centuries in the following game. Ryan Rickelton (103) played beautifully against Afghanistan, followed by Ben Duckett’s mammoth 165 against Australia in Lahore. Then, Josh Inglis produced an outstanding innings in the same game.
Virat Kohli (100* vs Pakistan), Rachin Ravindra (112 vs Bangladesh) and Ibrahim Zadran (177 vs England) took the total to ten. Joe Root (120 vs Afghanistan) scored the record-breaking 11th, before Ravindra hit his second ton of the tournament in the semi-final against South Africa. Kane Williamson hit the 12th hundred in the same game.
10 centuries in the 2017 tournament (England)
The 2017 edition of the Champions Trophy has the equal-most centuries with ten. Tamim Iqbal (128) and Joe Root (133*) both hit tons in the tournament opener. Eight other players scored centuries. Here is the list:
Kane Williamson (100 vs Australia).
Hashim Amla (103 vs Sri Lanka).
Shikhar Dhawan (125 vs Sri Lanka).
Shakib Al Hasan (114 vs New Zealand).
Mahmudullah (102* vs New Zealand).
Ben Stokes (102* vs Australia).
Rohit Sharma (123* vs Bangladesh).
Fakhar Zaman (114 vs India).
10 centuries in the 2002 tournament (Sri Lanka)
There were also ten centuries in the 2002 edition. Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya scored the first with 102* against Pakistan, before Herschelle Gibbs scored two of his own (116 vs Kenya and 116* vs India).
Here are the other centuries:
Mohammad Kaif (111* vs Zimbabwe).
Andy Flower (145 vs India).
Marvan Atapattu (101 vs Netherlands).
Brian Lara (111 vs Kenya).
Marcus Trescothick (119 vs Zimbabwe).
Virender Sehwag (126 vs England).
Sourav Ganguly (117* vs England).
7 centuries in the 2006 tournament (India)
India hosted the 2006 tournament where four players achieved seven hundreds. Chris Gayle scored three on his own (104* vs Bangladesh, 101 vs England and 133* vs South Africa). Upul Tharanga scored two (105 vs Bangladesh and 110 vs Zimbabwe). Shahriar Nafees (123* vs Zimbabwe) and Dwayne Bravo (112* vs England) were the other centurions.
6 centuries in the 2009 tournament (South Africa)
It was Australia’s tournament in 2009 as they accounted for three of the six centuries in their title-winning campaign. Shane Watson hit two unbeaten tons (136* vs England and 105* vs New Zealand), while Ricky Ponting hit a ton of his own (111* vs England). Tillakaratne Dilshan (106 vs South Africa), Shoaib Malik (128 vs India), Graeme Smith (141 vs England) were the other centurions.
6 centuries in the 2000 tournament (Kenya)
Avishka Gunawardene (132) hit the first century of the 2000 edition against West Indies. Pakistan legend Saeed Anwar hit the next two (105* vs Sri Lanka and 104 vs New Zealand). India legend Sourav Ganguly scored the next two (141* vs South Africa and 117 vs New Zealand) before Chris Cairns hit 102* against India.
The financial status of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has soared to new heights heading into 2025, headlined by incredibly valuable teams. According to consultancy firm Brand Finance, the IPL’s cumulative brand value increased from US$10.7 billion in 2023 to US$12 billion in 2024.
The league continues to attract astronomical viewing figures. Fans are more engaged than ever, particularly on digital platforms.
“IPL 2024 witnessed a significant paradigm shift, with four franchise brands now surpassing the USD100 million mark in brand value and experiencing dramatic increases in central revenue shares,” said Ajimon Francise, Managing Director of Brand Finance India.
“Digital viewership has overtaken traditional TV numbers, while domestic batters and bowlers are emerging as key performers. Does this mark a dramatic turn for the IPL, signalling a positive transformation for the league’s future?”
Most valuable IPL teams in 2025: Which team comes out on top?
1. Chennai Super Kings: US$122 million
Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the most valuable IPL franchise at US$122 million. They grew 52% from 2023. According to Brand Finance‘s global market research, MS Dhoni’s “appeal and influence” continues to drive this brand growth.
Most valuable IPL teams 2025: MS Dhoni has been a central figure of CSK.
2. Mumbai Indians: US$119 million
Mumbai Indians (MI), who also have five titles to their name, come in close second. MI are valued at US$119 million, with 36% growth year-on-year. This is despite a few disappointing seasons recently by their standards, with “familiarity” and “appeal” a key factor in their value.
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: US$117 million
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coming in at number three just goes to show how passionate the fanbase is. Despite not winning a men’s IPL title as yet, the franchise is valued at US$117 million, up 67% on the previous year. RCB’s brand value is “due to its incredibly loyal and passionate fanbase” according to Brand Finance.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders: US$109 million
Three-time winners and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) come in at fourth. Their brand value of US$109 million represents a 38% increase on the previous year, with their title-winning campaign in 2024 certainly contributing to that.
Most valuable IPL teams in 2025: Shreyas Iyer led KKR to the title in 2024.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad: US$85 million
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) had a memorable season in 2024, falling short in the final against KKR. With the likes of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen lighting up the tournament, SRH enjoyed the biggest increase in brand value, up 76% to US$85 million.
SRH saw the biggest change in brand value from 2023. Source: Brand Finance.
6. Rajasthan Royals: US$81 million
Rajasthan Royals (RR) grew 30% to US$81 million. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson are among the most popular cricketers in India, and one can only imagine this brand value will increase significantly if the franchise has a successful 2025 season.
7. Delhi Capitals: US$80 million
Delhi Capitals (DC) are seeking their first men’s IPL title and have endured a few lean seasons recently. As a result, they achieved the second-lowest growth figure of 24% year-on-year, with an US$80 million value.
8. Gujarat Titans: US$69 million
Gujarat Titans (GT), who won the title in their first season (and came runners up in their second), had a tougher year in 2024. They lost Hardik Pandya to MI and Mohammed Shami missed the campaign. Their brand value grew just 5% to US$69 million.
9. Punjab Kings: US$68 million
Punjab Kings (PBKS) are seeking a turnaround in fortunes on the field. With Ricky Ponting on board as coach, the franchise is aiming for their first playoffs’ appearance since 2014. They were very active in the IPL 2025 auction with some massive purchases, most notably Shreyas Iyer for INR26.75 crore. Their brand value grew by a solid 49% to US$68 million last year.
10. Lucknow Super Giants: US$60 million
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) round out the list with a brand value of US$60 million. They grew 29% year-on-year, and will be seeking a return to the playoffs after missing out in 2024.
Most valuable IPL teams in IPL 2025. Credit: Brand Finance.
It’s time for the biggest rivalry in cricket and arguably in all sports – India vs Pakistan – as they take each other on in the 5th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT).
India defeated Bangladesh comprehensively at the end by six wickets in their first game. Shubman Gill (101* runs), Rohit Sharma (41 runs) and KL Rahul (41* runs) did a good job with the bat after India restricted Bangladesh to 228 runs. Mohammed Shami was the star with the ball as he picked up five wickets. Harshit Rana (3 wickets) and Axar Patel (2 wickets) also chipped in.
Virat Kohli’s form will be a concern for India but they’ll be pretty confident coming into this game. Their batters are in top form and the bowlers are performing consistently. Overall, they are looking pretty solid as a team.
On the other hand, Pakistan lost their first game of the tournament by 60 runs. After that, they have now lost Fakhar Zaman which is a body blow for the hosts. Babar Azam got a lot of heat for his slow knock. Other batters like Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir must take responsibility if Pakistan is to win this game.
Pakistan lacks batting depth and the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have been hot and cold as a pace unit in recent weeks. They will have to perform as a team to give themselves a chance to compete against the Indian team. Skipper Rizwan will have to lead from the front as a loss in this game will almost be the end of their campaign.
CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Probable Playing XIs
No changes are expected in the Indian side for this high-profile clash.
Imam-ul-Haq has replaced Fakhar Zaman in the squad for Pakistan. One or two changes are also expected for Pakistan in this game.
Pakistan: 1. Babar Azam, 2. Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Saud Shakeel/Kamran Ghulam, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Tayyab Tahir/Faheem Ashraf, 7. Khushdil Shah, 8. Shaheen Afridi, 9. Naseem Shah, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed
Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather
This will be the second game of the tournament at this venue. The first game between India and Bangladesh had good aid for the spinners. There was turn and grip on offer for them. There wasn’t any dew in the second innings but batting looked a bit easier in the latter half.
Overall, the spinners will be into the game and the batters, once set, will be in for a big score. But, the likes of Mohammed Shami, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are expected to extract some swing with the new ball.
A bright sunny day is on the forecast, with the highest temperature being 27 degrees Celsius. Humidity will be around 40-50% during the game.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs PAK: Players to Watch/Key Stats
Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.
Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:
KL Rahul looked good in the first game with the bat. He scored 41* runs and will be a key batter for India in the middle-order. He has 187 runs in three ODIs against Pakistan at an average of 187 with a hundred and a fifty to his name.
Mohammad Rizwan has 51 runs in two ODIs against India with the highest score of 49. He will be a key batter for his team and will be a valuable pick in fantasy cricket for this game. Rizwan is the third-highest run-scorer for his side in ODIs since 2024: 438 runs in 11 innings at an average of 54.75 with two fifties and a century.
Key batter picks:
Rohit Sharma looked in good touch in the first game where he scored crucial 41 runs. He has scored 873 runs in 19 innings against Pakistan at an average of 51.40 with eight fifties and two centuries to his name. Rohit will be a key batter for his team in this game and a top fantasy pick.
Shubman Gill has been in sublime form lately. He is India’s highest run-scorer in ODIs since 2024 with 417 runs in seven innings including two fifties and two centuries. Gill averages 69.50 during this time. He scored a match-winning hundred in the last match.
Virat Kohli is going through a lean patch with the bat but he loves playing against Pakistan. Virat has 678 runs in 16 innings and averages 52.20 against them in ODIs. He has scored three hundreds and a couple of fifties as well.
Top all-rounder picks:
Axar Patel picked up two wickets in the last game and he’s been constantly batting at number five in the last few matches. He will be a must in your fantasy team considering his dual value with both bat and ball.
Ravindra Jadeja is another key fantasy pick for this game. Jadeja was in good form in the recent series against England and he can trouble Pakistan’s struggling middle-order, not to mention his capability with the bat.
Salman Aghahas been one of the best batters for Pakistan in 50-over cricket in the last few months. He has 470 runs in 10 ODIs since 2024 at an average of 52.22 with a fifty and a hundred. Agha is the second-highest run-scorer for his team in ODIs since 2024.
Key bowler picks:
Mohammed Shami picked up five wickets in the first game against Bangladesh. He looked in good rhythm and will lead India’s pace attack. Shami has picked up five wickets in three ODIs against Pakistan. He will be a top fantasy pick for this game.
Shaheen Afridi has seven wickets in three ODIs against India. His current form is not that great but he can trouble the Indian top order when on song. Shaheen is handy with the bat as well.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team
Shreyas Iyer has been a consistent performer at number four for Team India. He had a stellar World Cup back in 2023 and was in good form in the last year as well. You can try him as C/VC if India’s batting first.
Babar Azam has only one fifty against India in 7 ODIs. He did score 64 in the last game but it took him 90 deliveries and the Indian spinners can get him cheaply. Despite that, he will be a good pick in fantasy cricket. Babar has 218 runs in seven innings against India at an average of 31.10 including a fifty.
Other Matchups and Facts
Virat Kohli needs 15 runs to complete 14,000 runs in ODI cricket.
Shaheen Afridi has dismissed Shubman Gill twice in 28 deliveries for 29 runs in ODIs.
Kuldeep Yadav has dismissed Babar Azam twice for just 28 runs in 52 deliveries in ODIs.
CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Dream11 Prediction
CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Match Prediction: Who will win?
India will start as the clear favourite to win this match. They have excellent depth in their squad, especially with the bat and Pakistan will miss Fakhar Zaman in this match. India to win this game comfortably.
Written by Robin Rounder. Follow Robin on X @robin_rounder
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
The 4th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) is a mouthwatering one. Archrivals Australia and England go at it, and both sides are always keen to get one over the other, no matter the format.
However, these two teams have their issues in ODIs. Australia have lost their past four matches, including two by big margins in Sri Lanka last week. England have lost 16 of their past 23 since the start of their awful 2023 World Cup campaign, and come into this tournament off a 3-0 defeat in India.
The argument for Australia is they step up in ICC tournaments. However, this promises to be a tough test with their entire frontline pace attack missing, along with Mitchell Marsh (injured), Cameron Green (injured) and Marcus Stoinis (retired). So, those experienced players – especially the likes of Travis Head and Steve Smith – must step up.
For England, they have the power, but do they have the know-how in ODIs? They’ve struggled for the right tempo in this format since winning in 2019, and this is their chance to get it right. They have dangerous players right down their lineup, and anything is possible if they get going.
CT 2025 2025 4th Match: AUS vs ENG Possible Playing XIs
If Australia play Matt Short, it is likely that only two of Alex Carey, Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne will play.
Australia: 1. Travis Head, 2. Matt Short, 3. Steve Smith (c), 4. Marnus Labuschagne/Alex Carey, 5. Josh Inglis (wk), 6. Aaron Hardie, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Spencer Johnson/Ben Dwarshuis
England confirmed their playing XI on Thursday with a focus on pace in the XI. Jamie Smith will bat at three, with Joe Root moving to four.
England: 1. Phil Salt, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Jamie Smith (wk), 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Jos Buttler (c), 7. Liam Livingstone, 8. Brydon Carse, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood
Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather
This will be the first match of CT 2025 at Lahore. It is traditionally a flat surface, with two 300+ scores achieved in two matches in the recent Pakistan-New Zealand-South Africa tri-series.
In five ODIs since the start of 2023, the average first innings score is 290.4 with the team batting first winning three times. Expect another good batting track.
Also, the captain who wins the toss may opt to bowl in the mild conditions. A top of just 21 degrees is forecast, with a chance of dew in the evening. Mostly sunny weather is expected.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for AUS vs ENG: Players to Watch/Top Picks
Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if your are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.
Top wicket-keepers:
Jos Buttler, one of the greats of ODI cricket, will be looking to make a mark here and lead from the front. The England captain has struck 969 runs against Australia in ODIs (avg. 37.26, SR 103.74). He is a potential vice-captain option if England bat first given the inexperience in Australia’s attack.
If Australia select Alex Carey, he could be a very handy fantasy pick in Dream11. In his last four ODIs, Carey has struck 205 runs at an average of 68.3 and strike rate of 106.8, which includes a man-of-the-match 77 against England at Leeds in September 2024.
Key batters:
Travis Head is the top captaincy option in Dream11. He has been outstanding in all formats in recent years, particularly ODIs since the start of 2022. In this period, he has hammered 1,390 runs at an average of 57.9 and strike rate of 121.3.
Ben Duckett has smashed 305 runs in five ODIs against Australia at an average of 61.00 and strike rate of 109.71. He and Phil Salt are good picks in a Dream11 team as Australia lack the usual powerplay strike in their attack on paper.
Harry Brook loves batting in Pakistan. Also, he struck 312 runs against Australia last year at an average of 78.00 and strike rate of 127.86.
Top all-rounders:
Glenn Maxwell offers Dream11 points scoring potential in all three facets of the game. Australia could look to send him in earlier given his fabulous record against Adil Rashid: 135 balls, 163 runs, SR 120.7, two dismissals.
Matt Short is yet to find consistency at ODI level, but he is difficult to ignore from a fantasy perspective. If selected, he will open the batting, provide overs of his offspin and field in the hotspot positions.
Key bowlers:
Adil Rashid comes into this game in excellent touch after seven wickets in three ODIs in India earlier this month. His matchup against Steve Smith is key. The legspinner has dismissed Australia’s number three seven times in ODIs at an average of 22.3.
Adam Zampa has taken 34 wickets in 16 ODIs against England (avg. 23.29, SR 25.73). Australia will be sure to use him against Jos Buttler, whom he has dismissed five times in ODIs at an average of just 8.6. In fact, Zampa was man of the match in the 2023 World Cup meeting between the teams.
Jofra Archer strikes every 30 deliveries in ODIs against Australia (14 wickets). He has dismissed Glenn Maxwell three times for 56 runs in 44 balls.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Teams
Steve Smith is usually in the must-pick section. However, consider some head-to-head numbers he has against England’s bowlers. Rashid has dismissed him seven times, while Mark Wood has dismissed him thrice at an average of 20.3. Jofra Archer has also kept him relatively quiet in ODIs (50 balls, 29 runs, one wicket). But, Smith has come back into form in recent months and should enjoy conditions at Lahore, so having him in your XI is a safe pick.
Joe Root is another curious case. He averages 40.74 at number four compared to 49.70 at number three in ODIs. Also, he averages just 26.68 against Australia, although the bulk of their experience is missing. His ability to rotate spin and keep things ticking in the middle also makes him a safe pick in your Dream11 team.
Liam Livingstone can be a good all-round pick especially if England bats first. He struck at 161.19 in five ODIs against Australia last year (108 runs, avg. 36.00).
Nathan Ellis can be a value pick in Dream11 as he bowls in the crunch overs, which can bring about wicket-taking opportunities.
Mark Wood is a good differential Dream11 pick given his head-to-head numbers against some of the Aussie batters: 3/61 off 86 balls against Smith and 3/36 off 57 balls against Maxwell.
Other Key Stats and Matchups
Travis Head in ODIs against England: 18 inns, 894 runs, avg. 55.87, SR 108.89.
Travis Head vs. Jofra Archer in ODIs: 34 balls, 46 runs, no dismissals.
Ben Duckett vs. Sean Abbott: 34 balls, 49 runs, no dismissals.
Joe Root vs. Adam Zampa: 56 balls, 57 runs, one dismissal.
Adam Zampa has dismissed Harry Brook twice in 47 balls in ODIs, but the England batter has slammed 73 runs.
CT 2025 4th Match: AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction – CT 2025 4th Match
Option 2:
AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction – CT 2025 4th Match
CT 2025 4th Match: AUS vs ENG Match Prediction – Who will win?
A toss of the coin match. England are struggling in ODIs but Australia have a new-look attack. But, Australia’s prowess and mentality in ICC tournaments may get them home in this one, especially if Travis Head has a strong game.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
Jake Fraser-McGurk was added to the Australia squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy as several of the Aussie players were ruled out for various reasons. The “Starboy” has recently come under a lot of pressure due to his poor run in international cricket. Despite being hailed as the next big thing in Australian cricket, the youngster is yet to find his feet in the international arena.
Having said that, JFM has shown glimpses of his immense potential in T20 leagues, especially the IPL. In fact, several pundits have touted him to be the next David Warner. His aggressive style of play has drawn the attention of millions of cricket fans across the globe; hence, it wouldn’t all be surprising if the swashbuckling batter proves his critics wrong during the Champions Trophy.
Australia are scheduled to play their opening game of the tournament on February 22 and face their arch-rivals England. During an exclusive interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan for CricBlog, Jake Fraser-McGurk spoke about his childhood heroes and why he’s looked up to them.
Also, Fraser-McGurk expressed his excitement over working with the Delhi Capitals’ new management. The talented player had set the cricketing world on fire through his exploits during the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League last year.
He scored 330 runs in nine games at an average of 36.67 and a whopping strike-rate of 234.05 during the 2024 season. He was hopeful of repeating his heroics for the Delhi-based franchise in the upcoming 2025 edition. Delhi had used their RTM card to get JFM back during the auction in December 2024.
Jake Fraser-McGurk interview – Maxwell, Clarke and Finch the guys I’ve looked up to
Below is the audio and transcript of our chat with Jake Fraser-McGurk earlier in 2025.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: So Delhi managed to pick you back in the auction. How excited are you to work with the new management over there?
Jake Fraser-McGurk: I’m super excited! I’ve known the new management for a little bit, from being from Dubai last year. Yeah, so I’m super excited to get back over there and hopefully can sort of recreate the things I did last year, and we can get a bit more success this year.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: And your childhood hero growing up? Who would it be?
Jake Fraser-McGurk: Glenn Maxwell, Michael Clarke, you know those guys…..Aaron Finch. All those guys there. They’re people that I’ve looked up to and I don’t aspire to be, but I love how they play the game and things like that. So I try to be like them on and off the field.
Dominant powerplays with bat and ball, along with a magnificent 101* from Shubman Gill, has seen India get off to a winning start in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Bangladesh fought hard with after a difficult first ten overs both with the bat and in the field. Jaker Ali, who was dropped by Rohit Sharma off Axar Patel’s hat-trick ball, combined with centurion Towhid Hridoy for a 153-run stand to take the Tigers from 35/5 to 189/6. In the end, however, Bangladesh mustered just 228.
With the ball, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team reduced India to 144/4 in the 31st over after Rohit Sharma and Gill put on 69 for the first wicket. Kohli struggled, Shreyas threatened and Axar was out cheaply, but Gill held his nerve brilliantly. He managed a tricky chase perfectly on a slow Dubai track, as KL Rahul was dropped by Jaker on 9 which would have reduced India to 166/5 with 63 still needed.
Gill picked his moments, mixing singles with the occasional boundary to keep India ticking. In his 51 ODIs to date, Gill has had no problem taking attacks apart with an overall strike rate of 100.78. However, in this innings, he found the tempo for the situation, ensuring he occupied the crease and stayed through until the end.
Reactions to Shubman Gill 101* that leads India to important win
Shubman Gill brought up his hundred with India needing just eight for victory. “Bat for long hours and you reap the rewards at the end of the game,” said Dinesh Karthik on commentary. “He’s worked hard in this innings. This has been an invaluable knock for his side,” said Ravi Shastri.
The win could have been a lot more straightforward for India had they taken their chances in the field, but the key is getting the win on the board especially on a slow pitch. Gill paced his innings so well; a sign that he continues to mature as an ODI player.
“Gill has indeed mastered the art of finding the right tempo for ODIs. He understands how to pace an innings. The king of present* times*, in ODIs”, wrote Bharath Ramaraj, principal correspondent at RevSportz Global.
Here are some of the reactions to Shubman Gill’s fine knock of 101*.
Gill has indeed mastered the art of finding the right tempo for ODIs. He understands how to pace an innings. The king of present* times*, in ODIs.
A proper, peak Kohli-type chase from Gill, while Kohli watches and applauds from the dressing room. The Prince seems to have taken over from the King, who’s having his last dance.
Shubman Gill playing the pull shot in ODIs against pacers: 370 runs, Average 92.5, S/R 237
No batter has scored more runs with this shot in ODIs since the start of 2022. Globally, batters have averaged 30 at a S/R of 182 playing this shot in this timeframe.
An innings of great maturity by Shubhman Gill today. Looked in control throughout while others struggled and got out quickly around him. Kept his cool during the difficult phases, plenty of singles and boundaries on loose balls. Not many lose/false shots either.
These are the kind of chases that takes Gill to the next level in the format, everytime he bats in ODIs almost perfect the way he goes about it. Got to keep reminding that it’s a big shame he’s not going to get too many ODIs in his career, could do this day in day out.
Brilliant Hundred this from Gill on a tough batting pitch. just another day in this format where he looks totally untroubled irrespective of the pitch and attack.
Gill Saab in ODIs can, -Play out new ball. -Find boundaries in PP -Hold his end if wickets fall at other -Accelerate vs spin when needed -Bat deep to set up chases
This is by far the best innings of Shubman Gill in his young international career.
This was not an easy wicket to bat but he's played an absolute flawless knock on a slow wicket and most importantly being there right at the end. Well done Mr Gill 👏 pic.twitter.com/7TsKxCTf7o
Earlier, Mohammed Shami took 5/53 as his return from injury ramps up. Harshit Rana took three wickets of his own while India’s spinners were steady in keeping Bangladesh in check despite the big partnership.
Next up for India is a showdown with archrivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. It is just about a must-win game for Pakistan as a defeat means they will need Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to stand a chance of qualifying.
