![KL Rahul and Babar Azam [Source: @BCCI, @grassrootscric/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1741110009082_india.jpg?type=mq)
KL Rahul and Babar Azam [Source: @BCCI, @grassrootscric/x]
Team India reached the finals of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy by defeating Australia in a nail-biter at Dubai’s International Stadium. The PCB dropped Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan as well as Shaheen Afridi from different aspects of Pakistan squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. In other news, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub are nearing full recovery from their respective injuries.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Tuesday, March 4.
India Thump Australia To Reach Final
Team India outclassed Australia in a clinical run-chase in the first semifinal of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Batting first, Australia accrued 264 runs upfront courtesy of captain Steve Smith’s courageous 73 off 96 balls. Alex Carey also belted a fiery 61 during the backend of the innings. For India, fast bowler Mohammed Shami snared figures of 3-48 while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets each.
In the run-chase, Virat Kohli packed 84 runs off 98 balls while KL Rahul (42* off 34) took India home with 11 balls and four wickets to spare. Team India will now face either South Africa or New Zealand in the final on March 9.
Virat Kohli Shatters Shikhar Dhawan’s CT Record
Virat Kohli scored 84 from 98 balls against Australia in the semifinal of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Through the course of his match-winning special, the legendary cricketer soared past Shikhar Dhawan to become India’s leading run-getter in the history of the tournament. Kohli is currently sitting on a pile of 746 runs in ICC Champions Trophy matches, while Dhawan concluded his career with 701 runs in the tournament from just 10 innings.
Moreover, Virat Kohli also toppled Sachin Tendulkar to record the highest number of fifty-plus scores in ICC ODI events.
Rohit Sharma Edge Past Chris Gayle For Huge Record
Indian captain Rohit Sharma recorded his 65th six in ICC ODI tournaments through the course of his big dispatch off Nathan Ellis in the semifinal of the 2025 Champions Trophy. With his big hit at the Dubai International Stadium, Sharma became the leading six-hitter in ICC ODI events like Champions Trophy and World Cups, going past the 64-six tally of former West Indies captain and legendary opening batter Chris Gayle.
Babar Dropped As Pakistan Announce Squad For New Zealand Tour
The PCB announced Pakistan’s ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming men’s national white-ball tour of New Zealand. In some significant changes, the board dropped Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from Pakistan’s T20I squad, and named Agha Salman as national skipper instead.
Moreover, premier fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were also dropped, albeit from the ODI series. The Pakistan cricket team is set to face New Zealand in a series of five T20Is and three ODI matches between March 16 and April 5.
Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub To Be Fit For PSL 2025
As reported by Geo Super, Pakistan cricketers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub will likely attain full recovery in time for the upcoming PSL 2025 season. While Fakhar injured his left lower intercostal muscle during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, young Ayub sustained an ankle injury during Pakistan’s Test segment of the all-format tour of South Africa a couple of months ago.
Both Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub are slated to represent the Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi franchises in PSL 2025.
.jpg?type=mq "SA vs NZ: Dream11")
 "Aakash Saini")
