Pakistan vs India Prediction and Betting Tips: 5th Match, Group A, ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistan vs India match is the 5th match of Group A in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February 23, 2025, at 1 pm local time in Dubai. This day-night game is highly anticipated due to the historic rivalry, with both teams vying for a strong position in the group stage. The winner will gain crucial points, potentially securing a semi-final spot.

Recent Performances

India has been in top form, sweeping England 3-0 in their recent ODI series and defeating Bangladesh by 6 wickets in their Champions Trophy opener. Key performances include Shubman Gill’s century and Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul, showcasing a balanced team.

Pakistan, however, lost their first match to New Zealand by 60 runs, with Babar Azam scoring 45 and Shaheen Shah Afridi taking 3 wickets. This loss might affect their morale, but they have a strong historical record against India in ODIs.

Prediction

Given India’s current momentum and Pakistan’s recent setback, India is predicted to win. The Dubai pitch favors batsmen, and India’s in-form batsmen like Gill and Kohli, combined with a potent bowling attack, give them the advantage. However, Pakistan’s key players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi could turn the game, making it a close contest.

Comprehensive Analysis

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the return of this prestigious cricket tournament after an eight-year hiatus, with Pakistan hosting the event alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The match between Pakistan and India, scheduled for February 23, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, is one of the most anticipated fixtures, given the intense rivalry and high stakes in Group A. This article provides a detailed analysis of team news, recent form, head-to-head records, key players, pitch conditions, predictions, and betting tips to help fans and bettors make informed decisions.

Tournament Context and Match Details

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 features eight teams divided into two groups, with Group A comprising Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand. The tournament format involves each team playing three group-stage matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The Pakistan vs India match is the 5th fixture of the tournament, set for February 23, 2025, at 1 pm local time (9 am GMT) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a neutral venue due to political tensions preventing India from playing in Pakistan.

This match is crucial as both teams aim to secure vital points to strengthen their position in the group. The winner will likely gain a psychological and strategic advantage, especially given the tight competition in Group A, where every match counts.

Team News

Pakistan Squad

Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, announced their 15-member squad on January 31, 2025, with a blend of experienced players and emerging talents. The squad includes:

• Batters: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan
• All-rounders: Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf
• Bowlers: Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf

Notably, Saim Ayub, a key batter, is absent due to an ankle injury sustained during a Test series in South Africa, which is a significant blow to their batting lineup.

India Squad

India, captained by Rohit Sharma, finalized their squad with recent updates, including the replacement of Jasprit Bumrah with Harshit Rana due to a lower back injury. The squad is:

• Batters: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul
• Wicket-keepers: Rishabh Pant
• All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja
• Bowlers: Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy

Non-traveling substitutes include Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube, who can join the team in Dubai as needed. This squad combines experience with recent form, particularly in ODIs.

Recent Form Analysis

Pakistan’s Recent Performances

Pakistan’s campaign in the Champions Trophy 2025 started with a loss to New Zealand on February 19, 2025, by 60 runs at Karachi’s National Stadium. Babar Azam scored 45, but the team struggled to chase down the target, highlighting potential issues in their middle order. Prior to the tournament, Pakistan had a historic ODI series win in Australia and South Africa in 2024, but their warm-up match against New Zealand was also a loss, indicating a dip in form leading into the tournament.

India’s Recent Performances

India, in contrast, has been in scintillating form. They swept England 3-0 in a three-match ODI series in February 2025, with matches on February 6, 9, and 12. Key performances included Shubman Gill’s century in the third ODI (112 off 102) and Rohit Sharma’s century in the second ODI (119 off 90). In their Champions Trophy opener on February 20, 2025, India beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets, with Gill scoring an unbeaten 101 and Mohammed Shami taking 5/51. This run of form positions India as a formidable force.

Head-to-Head Record

The head-to-head record in ODIs between India and Pakistan shows:

While Pakistan leads overall, recent encounters, particularly in ICC events, have seen India dominate. For instance, in the 2023 ODI World Cup, India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets, and in the 2021 T20 World Cup, India won by 8 wickets. However, Pakistan’s 10-wicket victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup shows their capability to upset India in crucial matches.

Key Players to Watch

Pakistan

• Babar Azam: A world-class batsman, his ability to anchor the innings is vital. He scored 45 against New Zealand, showing form but needing a big score.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi: His left-arm pace can trouble India’s top order, especially early on. He took 3/58 against New Zealand.
• Mohammad Rizwan: As captain and wicketkeeper, his batting contributions are crucial, especially in the middle order.

India

• Shubman Gill: In red-hot form, with centuries in recent matches (101 vs Bangladesh, 112 vs England). His opening partnership with Rohit Sharma is key.
• Mohammed Shami: Took 5/51 against Bangladesh, his experience and swing bowling can dismantle Pakistan’s batting.
• Virat Kohli: Known for performing in big matches, his consistency against Pakistan is a significant factor.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has hosted 58 ODIs, with an average first innings score of around 250-260 runs, indicating a batsman-friendly pitch. Early assistance is provided to fast bowlers with some seam movement, but conditions improve for batting as the match progresses. Spinners may play a role in the middle overs if the surface slows down. The match on February 23 is a day game starting at 1 pm local time, so dew is unlikely to be a factor, ensuring balanced conditions for both teams.

Historical data shows:

Weather forecasts predict clear skies with temperatures around 25°C, ideal for a high-scoring encounter.

Prediction

Based on the analysis:

• India’s Advantage: Their recent form, including a 3-0 series win against England and a strong performance against Bangladesh, gives them momentum. Key players like Gill, Kohli, and Shami are in top form, and the team’s balance is evident.
• Pakistan’s Challenges: Starting with a loss to New Zealand and the absence of Saim Ayub due to injury, Pakistan faces pressure to perform. However, their historical edge and players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi can turn the game.

Given these factors, India is predicted to win the match. The Dubai pitch suits their batting lineup, and their bowling attack, led by Shami, can exploit any early movement. However, Pakistan’s potential for a comeback, especially with Afridi’s bowling, makes it a close contest.

Betting Tips

For bettors, consider the following based on current form and conditions:

1. Match Winner: Bet on India (odds may vary, check with betting platforms).
2. Top Batsman: Shubman Gill for India or Babar Azam for Pakistan, given their recent performances.
3. Top Bowler: Mohammed Shami for India or Shaheen Shah Afridi for Pakistan, based on their wicket-taking ability.
4. First Innings Total: Over 250 runs, considering the batsman-friendly pitch at Dubai.

Always ensure responsible betting and check odds at reputable platforms like ESPNcricinfo.

Conclusion

The Pakistan vs India match on February 23, 2025, is set to be a blockbuster, with both teams bringing their A-game to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India’s recent form and balanced squad give them the edge, but Pakistan’s historical prowess and key players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi ensure a competitive match. Fans can expect a high-scoring game, with India’s prediction to win based on current momentum, though cricket’s unpredictability keeps the excitement alive.