One of the most anticipated matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is finally here! Pakistan vs India (Champions Trophy) is set to take place on February 23, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE. This high-stakes encounter between two cricketing giants will be a thrilling battle as both teams look to assert their dominance in Group A.
Fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see if Rohit Sharma’s Team India will continue their winning momentum or if Babar Azam’s Pakistan will bounce back strong. Here’s a complete breakdown of the match details, pitch report, Dream11 fantasy cricket tips, and live streaming information.
Match Overview
- Match: Pakistan vs India, Champions Trophy 2025 (Match No. 5)
- Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
- Match Time: 2:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM PKT / 1:00 PM Local Time (UAE)
- Toss Time: 2:00 PM IST (30 minutes before the match start)
Pitch Report – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
The Dubai pitch is known for being a balanced surface, offering something for both batters and bowlers.
- Early Overs: Fast bowlers will get swing and seam movement with the new ball, especially under lights.
- Middle Overs: As the match progresses, the pitch slows down, making spin bowlers more effective.
- Average First Innings Score: 250-270 runs is considered par, but if the batters settle in, scores of 300+ are possible.
- Toss Factor: Chasing under lights can be tricky due to ball movement and dew, but both India and Pakistan have successfully chased totals here in the past.
Weather Conditions:
- Temperature: 20-25°C, with moderate humidity.
- Rain Forecast: No rain expected, ensuring an uninterrupted game.
Squads for Both Teams
Pakistan Squad:
Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK/C), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan.
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
Dream11 Tips – Best Fantasy Picks
For your Dream11 fantasy team, it’s essential to focus on:
✅ In-form batters who can play long innings.
✅ Bowlers who can exploit the Dubai conditions.
✅ All-rounders who can contribute in both departments.
Top Fantasy Picks
Wicketkeepers:
📌 Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan): Pakistan’s captain and most consistent performer in ODIs. A safe bet for runs and wicketkeeping points.
📌 KL Rahul (India): Expected to keep wickets for India, offering stability in the middle order.
Batters:
📌 Virat Kohli (India) – (C): A big-match player with an excellent record against Pakistan. Scored a century in Dubai in the 2022 Asia Cup.
📌 Rohit Sharma (India): Known for his dominance in India-Pakistan games, capable of playing match-winning knocks.
📌 Babar Azam (Pakistan): Pakistan’s best batsman and captain, capable of anchoring the innings in crucial situations.
📌 Shubman Gill (India): In top form, scored a fifty against Bangladesh in the last match.
All-Rounders:
📌 Hardik Pandya (India) – (VC): Contributes with both bat and ball, a must-have in fantasy teams.
📌 Ravindra Jadeja (India): A complete package – spin bowling, lower-order batting, and world-class fielding.
📌 Salman Agha (Pakistan): A rising star who can bowl handy off-spin and stabilize the middle order.
Bowlers:
📌 Mohammed Shami (India): Took 5 wickets against Bangladesh; a lethal threat with the new ball.
📌 Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan): India’s biggest concern! Deadly swing bowler, especially dangerous for Rohit Sharma.
📌 Naseem Shah (Pakistan): Another fast bowler who can extract bounce and seam movement in Dubai.
📌 Kuldeep Yadav (India): Wrist-spinner who could dominate in the middle overs as the pitch slows down.
Suggested Dream11 Team
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | Mohammad Rizwan |
| Batters | Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam, Shubman Gill |
| All-Rounders | Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja |
| Bowlers | Mohammed Shami, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Kuldeep Yadav |
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:
🏆 Best Captain Choice: Virat Kohli – He thrives under pressure and delivers in high-profile matches.
🏆 Best Vice-Captain Choice: Hardik Pandya – Can make an impact with both bat and ball.
Live Streaming & Telecast Details
📺 Where to Watch Pakistan vs India (Champions Trophy) Live?
India:
- TV: Star Sports Network (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu)
- Live Streaming: JioCinema App & Website
Pakistan:
- TV: PTV Sports, Ten Sports
- Live Streaming: Myco App, Tamasha App (Free)
Other Regions:
- USA & Canada: Willow TV
- UK: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event
- UAE & MENA: CricLife Max, STARZPLAY
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
Recent Form & Stats:
- Head-to-Head in ODIs: Pakistan leads 73-57, but India has dominated ICC events.
- Champions Trophy History: 1-1 (India won in 2013, Pakistan won in 2017 final).
- India’s Current Form: Defeated Bangladesh in their opening match.
- Pakistan’s Current Form: Lost to New Zealand in a tough game.
Prediction:
India has the momentum, squad depth, and balanced bowling attack, but Pakistan’s fast bowling trio (Shaheen, Naseem, Haris) could be the game-changer.
🏆 Winner Prediction: India (55%) vs Pakistan (45%) – A tight contest expected!