IND vs PAK Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today's Champions Trophy 2025 Fixture?

Akshita Patel

India to face Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @BCCI, @TeamQuetta/X.com]India to face Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @BCCI, @TeamQuetta/X.com]

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The much-awaited blockbuster Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Pakistan will get underway on February 23. The big match will be staged at Dubai International Cricket Stadium at 2.30 PM IST.

The arch-enemies play each other only in ICC tournaments, and the match is therefore more exciting and interesting for the spectators. 

For Pakistan, the stakes are higher as a defeat would cost them a semi-final berth in the Champions Trophy 2025 edition. India has an advantage since they had defeated Bangladesh comprehensively in the first match.

IND vs PAK Predicted Score Today

Predicted first-inning score: 230-240

Predicted second-inning score: 240-250

Who will win today’s IND vs PAK Match?

Case 1: If India bats first

Toss won’t be a big factor in this game as the pitch will offer something to both batters and bowlers. 

In case India bats first, skipper Rohit Sharma and in-form batter Shubman Gill will likely shoulder the responsibility to provide a solid foundation. Virat Kohli will face the pressure of coming out of his lean patch. 

However, his record against Pakistan is exemplary. KL Rahul and the other batsmen are also in their best form, and hence, if India is provided a chance to bat first, they can easily score a winning total on the scoreboard. 

Moreover, India has had more success in ODIs batting first which makes this scenario ideal for them to win the contest.

Case 2: If Pakistan bats first

In case Pakistan opts to bat first, they will find themselves in huge trouble. Explosive opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament. 

Saud Shakeel is likely to open with Babar Azam for the rest of the Champions Trophy 2025 edition. This duo’s strike rate is abysmal as seen in their first game against New Zealand. 

Hence, their foundation is not concrete for now. Moreover, the middle order, featuring captain Mohammad Rizwan also hasn’t delivered as per expectations. 

Also, India’s pace lineup, spearheaded by Mohammad Shami, is likely to exploit Pakistan’s shortcomings in powerplay, which could lead to a disastrous start for Pakistan if they bat first.


IND vs PAK Head-to-Head Record in ODIs

Criterion
Data
Matches Played135
India Won57
Pakistan Won73
Tied0
No Result5

Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, Pitch Report

The Dubai surface, which played slow and tricky during the India vs Bangladesh game, is expected to behave similarly, offering early movement for pacers before turning into a spinners’ battleground. 

Chasing under lights could be tricky, with dew playing a minimal role. The average first-innings score here is just 219, but a 260+ total could be a winning one. While teams have chased well recently, they might want to bat first on this difficult pitch.

Players to watch out for in IND vs PAK

India

  • Having struggled in 2024, Shubman Gill has returned in excellent form in ODIs in 2025 and is now a solid top-order batsman. In the first match of the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh, Gill scored a match-winning 101 runs from 129 balls. With 360 runs in 4 matches at a strike rate of 120, Gill has been in excellent nick.
  • Harshit Rana is India's quickest-emerging pace talent and has done well with the ball. The right-arm pacer has picked 9 wickets in 4 games, with an average of 19.66. In the first Champions Trophy game against Bangladesh, he impressed with a 3-wicket haul.
  • The return of Mohammad Shami to international cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. After an 18-month injury layoff, Shami has made a stunning comeback. In his first Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh, Shami tore through the opposition with a five-wicket haul. 

Pakistan

  • Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s biggest hope in the batting department. While 2024 was a challenging year for him, he has started 2025 on a better note, registering a composed 64 off 90 balls against New Zealand in Pakistan’s opening match of the Champions Trophy. So far in 2025, he has scored 126 runs in 4 ODIs at an average of 31.50. 
  • The Pakistani captain Mohammad Rizwan is in good form and will prove to be an important asset for the high-intensity showdown with India. Being in a must-win scenario for Pakistan, the leadership of Rizwan, along with his batting prowess, will play an important role in guiding his side to triumph.
  • Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi will look to recreate the magic of the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he rattled India’s top order with a fiery spell, leading to a historic 10-wicket win in Dubai. His swing with the new ball makes him a nightmare for right-handed batters, something Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill be wary of.