Pakistan National Cricket Team player Imam-ul-Haq took an absolutely sensational catch to dismiss the India National Cricket Team batter Shreyas Iyer on Sunday, February 23.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between the arch-rivals India National Cricket Team and Pakistan National Cricket Team was held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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Shreyas Iyer shines for India before Imam-ul-Haq’s stunner ends his innings
Iyer showcased a batting masterclass in the match against the Pakistan National Cricket Team and played a key role in his team’s dominant 6-wicket victory.
Chasing 241 runs, Iyer came to bat after the dismissal of Shubman Gill and he built a match-winning partnership with the modern-day batting great Virat Kohli, who hit a marvelous ton.
The duo added 114 runs in 128 balls before the Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was playing his first match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after replacing injured Fakhar Zaman in the squad, took a brilliant catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer.
On the 5th ball of the 39th over, Khushdil Shah bowled a loopy full ball to Shreyas Iyer, who smashed it to the cover region where Imam-ul-Haq dived full-length to his right and grabbed an absolutely sensational catch with both hands.
After the catch, Pakistan didn’t celebrate much and Iyer had to walk to the hut with the score of 56 runs under his belt off 67 balls.
Watch: Imam-ul-Haq takes stunner to dismiss Shreyas Iyer
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) February 23, 2025
The dismissal of Iyer did not have any major impact in the match and it just delayed the inevitable as India easily got past the finish line with Virat Kohli and Axar Patel unbeaten. With the loss, the chances of Pakistan making it to the semi-final of the competition are very slim.
Imam-ul-Haq was dropped due to less strike rate – Mohammad Hafeez
Speaking after the match, the former Pakistan National Cricket Team skipper Mohammad Hafeez questioned the selection of Imam-ul-Haq in the squad after the injury to Fakhar Zaman.
“Imam UlHaq was dropped due to less strikerate. He made the same mistake against India. We have to think the player making comeback has improved himself or no improvement in him,” Mohammad Hafeez said.
Hafeez was also disappointed with the performance of the pace-trio of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf.
“Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf are not capable enough to win ICC tournaments for Pakistan. Let’s move on to Mir Hamza, M Ali who also have Pakistani passports,” Mohammad Hafeez added.
Shoaib Malik, the former Pakistan skipper, also slammed the Pakistan star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi after the loss to India.
“Babar Azam , Shaheen Afridi have no consistency in performances in ODI format in recent past. You need to perform consistently to win ICC tournaments,” Shoaib Malik said.
