In a high-stakes encounter at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India faced arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Chasing a target of 242 set by Pakistan, India’s innings was bolstered by a composed half-century from middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer, playing a pivotal role in steering the team towards victory.​

India’s chase began with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill aiming to provide a solid foundation. However, the team faced an early setback when Rohit Sharma was dismissed by a sharp yorker from Shaheen Shah Afridi, leaving India at 31/1. Shubman Gill continued to display his fine form but fell short of a half-century, departing for 46 runs after being outfoxed by a delivery from Abrar Ahmed. This brought Shreyas Iyer to the crease, joining Virat Kohli in a crucial partnership.​

Shreyas Iyer, known for his calm demeanor under pressure, played a measured innings, focusing on building a steady partnership with Kohli. He showcased his ability to rotate the strike efficiently and capitalized on loose deliveries, finding the boundary with precision. Iyer reached his half-century with a well-timed shot through the covers, marking his 50 off 54 balls. His innings was instrumental in stabilizing India’s chase, especially after the loss of the openers.​

The partnership between Iyer and Kohli was marked by excellent communication and strategic shot selection. Together, they added significant runs to the scoreboard, inching India closer to the target. Kohli, who also reached a personal milestone by surpassing 14,000 ODI runs earlier in the innings, provided the perfect foil to Iyer’s steady approach. Their collaboration frustrated the Pakistani bowlers, who struggled to break the partnership.​

Despite early successes, Pakistan’s bowling attack faced challenges in containing the Indian batsmen during the middle overs. Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed provided crucial breakthroughs, but the lack of consistent pressure allowed Iyer and Kohli to settle. Fielding lapses, including dropped catches, further compounded Pakistan’s difficulties, as highlighted in live match updates. The bowlers’ inability to capitalize on early wickets ultimately shifted the momentum in India’s favor.​

As the innings progressed, Iyer’s confidence grew, and he began to accelerate the scoring, reducing the required run rate. His partnership with Kohli laid a solid foundation, enabling the subsequent batsmen to approach the target with minimal pressure. Iyer’s half-century not only anchored the innings but also exemplified his role as a dependable middle-order batsman in high-pressure situations.​

Key Highlights:

• Shreyas Iyer scored a vital half-century, stabilizing India’s chase against Pakistan.​
• His partnership with Virat Kohli was crucial in building momentum after early wickets.​
• Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to maintain pressure during the middle overs.​
• Iyer’s composed innings exemplified his reliability in high-pressure scenarios.