Axar Patel’s run-out of Imam-ul-Haq during India’s clash against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a moment of pure anticipation and precision. While direct hits often come down to accuracy and a bit of luck, Axar revealed that this dismissal was a product of meticulous pre-judgment and strategic thinking.
The moment unfolded in the powerplay when wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav kept Imam on strike. The left-hander, eager to rotate the strike, advanced down the pitch to defend the first ball. On the very next delivery, he attempted the same move, pushing it towards mid-on. Axar, stationed there, seized the opportunity with lightning reflexes, hitting the stumps directly. Despite Imam’s quick response, he fell at least a foot short of his crease and had to depart for 10 off 26 balls.
India went on to dominate the contest, bowling Pakistan out for 211 and chasing the target with ease, thanks to a commanding century from Virat Kohli. However, Axar’s brilliant run-out remained one of the standout moments of the match. Speaking about the dismissal after the game, Axar detailed how he had already visualized the moment before it happened.
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“When I came to bowl in the powerplay, Imam took a single by hitting it to mid-off, where Rana was fielding. I had seen his videos, and he often steps out to take singles. The ball before the run-out, I visualized that he might do the same, so I was prepared,” Axar Patel explained in an interview with the ICC.
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“As soon as he played the shot, I charged in, and everything happened exactly as I had imagined. I got the direct hit, and after it happened, I thought, ‘Glad I had visualized this one ball earlier,’” he added.
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With this moment of brilliance, Axar etched his name into India-Pakistan rivalry history, much like Ravindra Jadeja’s iconic run-out of Shoaib Malik during the 2017 Champions Trophy. His combination of foresight and execution ensures that this dismissal will be remembered in highlight reels for years to come.
