India faced arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-stakes Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The Indo-Pak cricketing rivalry, intensified by political tensions, has limited their encounters to ICC tournaments, making each showdown a global spectacle.
Among the fans watching the thrilling contest was former Indian captain MS Dhoni, who was spotted enjoying the match alongside Bollywood actor Sunny Deol. The duo was seen engaged in discussions while seated with fans, as shown in a video posted by Star Sports India.
On the field, Mohammed Shami had a forgettable start, delivering five wides in the opening over and taking 11 balls to complete his six-ball spell—setting a record for the longest over bowled by an Indian in the Champions Trophy. This surpassed Jasprit Bumrah’s nine-ball over in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, which India lost to Pakistan.
Shami also recorded the most wides in an opening over of the tournament, though the overall record for most wides in a single over remains with Tinashe Panyangara of Zimbabwe (seven wides). The pacer struggled for rhythm, needing physio assistance in his third over before briefly leaving the field.
With the stakes high, Indian fans will hope for a strong comeback as the match unfolds.
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