Dubai: Virat Kohli struck a sublime century as India cruised to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Champions Trophy group-stage encounter at the Dubai International Stadium yesterday.

Chasing a target of 242, India got off to a brisk start, with captain Rohit Sharma scoring 20 off 15 balls before Shaheen Afridi delivered a peach of a yorker to clean him up in the fifth over. Shubman Gill looked in fine touch, playing seven exquisite boundaries on his way to 46 before being undone by a sharp carrom ball from Abrar Ahmed.

The chase was then anchored by Kohli, who exhibited his trademark composure and class, bringing up his 100 off 111 balls with seven boundaries. He was well supported by Shreyas Iyer, who contributed a fluent 56 off 67 balls, adding 114 runs with Kohli for the third wicket.

Despite a late hiccup with the dismissal of Hardik Pandya (8), India remained on course, with Kohli sealing the win in style by striking the winning boundary and raising his bat in celebration.

Earlier, India’s disciplined bowling attack restricted Pakistan to 241 in 49.4 overs. Mohammed Shami had a wayward start, conceding five wides in the opening over, but India’s seamers quickly found their rhythm. Pandya provided the breakthrough by dismissing Babar Azam for 23, while a sharp piece of fielding from Axar Patel ran out Imam-ul-Haq, reducing Pakistan to 47/2.

Saud Shakeel (62 off 76) and Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 77) steadied the innings with a 104-run stand, but their slow approach left Pakistan struggling to accelerate. Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) led India’s spin attack, dismantling the lower order with support from Jadeja and Harshit Rana. Khushdil Shah’s late cameo of 38 off 39 helped Pakistan cross the 240-run mark.

With this victory, India strengthened their position in the group standings, while Pakistan will need to regroup quickly to stay in contention for the semifinals. India will next face New Zealand on Mar. 2 at the Dubai International Stadium.