India National Cricket Team batting great Virat Kohli was seen tying the shoelaces of the 22-year-old Pakistan National Cricket Team pacer Naseem Shah on Sunday, February 23.
The 5th match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between Group A teams – India National Cricket Team and Pakistan National Cricket Team – is currently underway at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Also Read: Watch: Abrar Ahmed sledges Virat Kohli, nearly knocks off his head with brutal throw in CT 2025
Naseem Shah scores 14 runs vs India
The premier pacer Naseem Shah chipped in with crucial runs for his team while batting lower down the order and played a key role in Pakistan posting 241 runs on the board. Naseem Shah scored 14 runs off 16 balls with one boundary in the first innings.
Meanwhile, when Naseem was grinding hard with the bat for Pakistan, he faced some trouble as his shoelaces got untied. As he was wearing gloves, he looked around to quickly get some assistance from Indian players.
Virat Kohli, who is known for his aggressive attitude, was near Naseem, and he showcased great sportsmanship as he was seen tying the shoelaces of the Pakistan star. The Indian batting great showed great humility and grace and won hearts with his gesture.
Notably, Kohli also grabbed a stunning catch to end the innings of Naseem. On the 4th ball of the 47th over, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a fullish ball to Naseem, who was early on the drive and hit the ball towards Kohli, who took a brilliant running catch.
Here’s how fans reacted to Virat Kohli’s gesture for Naseem Shah
Spirit of cricket! We are brothers. So good to see Virat Kohli & Naseem Shah 🇮🇳🇵🇰❤️ #ChampionsTrophy2025#PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/zjvkK39Kh5
— Muhammad Zaid 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@iammalickzayd) February 23, 2025
🚨Sportsmanship in its Epitome🚨
Virat Kohli has been seen Tying Naseem shah Shoe Lays #ChampionsTrophy2025 #ViratKohli #NaseemShah #ShaheenshahAfridi #Shubhmangill #ShreyasIyer #BabarAzam #PakistanCricket #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/TNKuRps4HT
— Cricket World (@Cricket_World45) February 23, 2025
Put a hate aside look at this naseem shah & virat kohli💞 #INDvsPAK#PAKvIND | #iccchampionstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/fLUpDdQHFW
— Sheikhoo (@Da_sarmast) February 23, 2025
Moment of the day.
– King Kohli tighten laces of Naseem Shah. #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/bHo7RzWW9u
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) February 23, 2025
Spirit of cricket! We are brothers. So good to see Virat Kohli & Naseem Shah 🇮🇳🇵🇰❤️❤️ #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/djALIIZNLs
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) February 23, 2025
What Happened In The First-ever ICC Champions Trophy Match Between India And Pakistan?
The arch-rivals India National Cricket Team and Pakistan National Cricket Team first clashed in the ICC Champions Trophy on September 19, 2004, in Birmingham.
After being invited to bat first, India faced early trouble as captain Sourav Ganguly departed for a duck. The top order crumbled, with Virender Sehwag (10) and VVS Laxman (3) falling cheaply.
After that, Mohammad Kaif (27) and Rahul Dravid (67) tried to stabilize the innings, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. From the lower order, Ajit Agarkar came up with a brilliant 47-run knock off 50 balls, pushing India to a total of 200 in 49.5 overs.
For Pakistan, Naved-ul-Hasan (4/25) and Shoaib Akhtar (4/36) dominated with the ball while Mohammad Sami and Abdul Razzaq picked up one wicket each.
Chasing 201, Pakistan had a good start, losing three wickets for just 27 runs. Irfan Pathan put India in a commanding position, dismissing Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, and Yasir Hameed. However, Inzamam-ul-Haq (41) and Mohammad Yousuf (81*) steadied the ship with a crucial partnership.
Despite a few hiccups, Pakistan held their nerves and went on to register a 3-wicket win with 4 balls remaining. Yousuf was awarded Player of the Match for his heroics.
