Dubai, Mar 4 (Reporter) Australia posted a total of 264 runs in the first semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday, setting India a target of 265 to book a place in the final. Opting to bat first, Australia got off to a bad start with Mohammad Shami drew the first blood for India by removing Cooper Connolly for a duck, putting pressure on Australia. However, Travis Head (39 off 33) took the attack to the Indian bowlers. His aggressive innings was cut short when he lofted a full delivery from Varun Chakravarthy straight into the hands of Shubman Gill at long-off in the eighth over. Skipper Steve Smith anchored the innings with a well-compiled 73 off 96 balls, his latest contribution in a crucial ICC knockout match. Smith shared a valuable 56-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne (29 off 36) before the latter fell leg-before to Ravindra Jadeja. Josh Inglis (11 off 12) and Alex Carey (61 off 57) provided brief resistance, but wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing Australia from accelerating. Carey, who notched up his half-century, was run out in the 47th over by a sharp direct hit from Shreyas Iyer. The lower order could not contribute significantly, with Glenn Maxwell (7), Ben Dwarshuis (19), Adam Zampa (7), and Nathan Ellis (10) failing to capitalise. Shami was the pick of the bowlers for India, finishing with figures of 3/48 in his 10 overs, including the prized wicket of Smith. Hardik Pandya (1/40), Varun Chakravarthy (2/49), Ravindra Jadeja (2/40), and Axar Patel (1/43) provided ample support as India kept the Aussies in check. Australia’s innings ended in the 50th over when Zampa was bowled by Pandya, leaving India with a chaseable target of 265. The pitch, which played true in the first innings, is expected to assist the batsmen under lights, but the Indian team will have to navigate the Australian pace attack under pressure in this high-stakes contest. With India needing 265 to reach the final, all eyes will be on the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill to deliver a solid performance in the chase. Brief scores: Australia 264 all out in 49.3 overs (Steven Smith 73, Travis Head 39, Marnus Labuschagne 29; Mohammed Shami 3/48, Varun Chakravarthy 2/49, Ravindra Jadeja 2/40). India need 265 to win...////...