In a high-voltage match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets. Virat Kohli scored his first-ever century in the Champions Trophy, helping India chase down the target of 242 runs in 42.3 overs. After this loss, Pakistan’s team sits at the bottom of Group A with zero points from two matches.

Although Pakistan has lost both of its matches so far, it is not yet out of the race for the semi-finals. If Bangladesh beat New Zealand on Monday in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals will stay alive. After that, Pakistan must win its match against Bangladesh on Thursday, February 27, in Rawalpindi. India must also defeat New Zealand on Sunday, March 2, in Dubai.

In this scenario, India will be at the top of Group A with 6 points, while Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand will each have 2 points. If all three teams have equal points, the team with the better net run rate will qualify for the semi-finals. This gives Pakistan a chance to qualify.

However, if New Zealand defeat Bangladesh on Monday, both Pakistan and Bangladesh will be eliminated from the Champions Trophy 2025. Similarly, if the New Zealand-Bangladesh match ends without a result, Pakistan’s journey will also come to an end.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan is defending champion in this tournament. In the history of the Champions Trophy, only one team has successfully defended its title—Australia, which won the tournament in 2006 under Ricky Ponting s captaincy and then again in 2009.