Pakistan celebrate after winning the Champions Trophy
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Pakistan made history on Sunday as they annihilated defending champions India by 180 runs at The Oval to win the Champions Trophy for the first time.
For Pakistan, it will go down as one of their most memorable victories ever as they captured their first major ICC title since winning the World Twenty20 in 2009. It was also their first piece of silverware in a global 50-over tournament since they triumphed at the 1992 World Cup.
Fakhar Zaman starred with the bat for Pakistan as he scored his maiden ODI century before Mohammad Amir wreaked havoc with the ball in the early stages of India’s innings, removing Rohit Sharma, captain Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan.
Being put in to bat first, Pakistan got off to a fabulous start as Zaman and Azhar Ali amassed a 128-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries.
With Pakistan cruising, India were in desperate need for a wicket, and they ultimately got it in the 24th over when Azhar was run out by Jasprit Bumrah for 59 off 71 balls, which included six boundaries and a six.
Azhar scored his 12th ODI fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Zaman and Babar Azam kept the runs flowing with a 72-run stand, during which Fakhar registered his hundred.
Zaman, who was caught behind for three runs off a no-ball bowled by Bumrah, ended up making a career-best 114, which came off 106 deliveries and included 12 boundaries and three sixes.
Zaman is over the moon after bringing up his maiden ODI hundred
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Shoaib Malik only mustered 12 runs, while Azam went on to make 46 before falling to Kedar Jadhav.
Mohammad Hafeez and Imad Wasim ensured Pakistan finished their innings on a high as they put together an unbeaten 71-run partnership.
Hafeez made an unbeaten 57 off 37 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes, while Wasim remained undefeated on 25 off 21 deliveries, which included a boundary and a six.
Hafeez struck his 32nd half-century in ODI cricket
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Jadhav, Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up one wicket apiece as Pakistan finished on 338/4 off their 50 overs, which is the second-highest total in Champions Trophy history and their second-highest total in an ODI against India. Furthermore, it was Pakistan’s highest score in an ODI tournament final.
Chasing 339 to win, India felt the wrath of Amir early on as he took out Rohit on the third ball of the innings before going on to dismiss Kohli and Dhawan.
With India reeling at 33/3, things only continued to go downhill for them as Shadab Khan trapped Yuvraj Singh lbw for 22.
Hasan Ali then joined the party when he got rid of Mahendra Singh Dhoni for four runs. Not long after, Shadab secured his second wicket when Jadhav was caught behind for nine runs.
With India seemingly down and out at 72/6, Pandya took the attack to Pakistan during the 80-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.
However, despite some valiant big-hitting from Pandya, his entertaining innings came to an end when he was run out by Hafeez for 76 off 43 balls, which included four boundaries and six sixes.
Pandya’s career-best knock of 76 went in vain
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Despite being livid after horrendous communication between him and Jadeja brought his time at the crease to an end, Pandya etched his name in the record books as he struck the fastest fifty in the final of an ICC tournament, needing just 32 balls to do so.
Once Pandya was gone, it was game over for India as they ended up being skittled out for 158.
Amir and Hasan took three wickets apiece, while Shadab snapped up two and Junaid Khan claimed one.
Kohli was gutted to have lost in the final, and said: “I want to congratulate Pakistan, they had an amazing tournament, the way they turned things around speak volumes for the talent they have. They proved it again, they can upset anyone on their day, disappointing for us but I have a smile on my face because we played well to reach the final.
“Credit to them, they outplayed us today in all departments. This is what happens in sport. We can’t take anyone lightly but they were more intense and passionate on the day. With the ball we could have had a few more wicket-taking opportunities. We tried to do out best, but even with the ball, they were aggressive, we didn’t show any resistance apart from Hardik, who’s knock was outstanding.
“Small margins can be massive but we’ve only lost a game of cricket, we need to move forward and learn from our mistakes. The pitch was consistent throughout, we backed out strengths.”
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was ecstatic to have won the tournament, and said: “After the India match I said to my boys, the tournament is not finished yet. We played very well and know we have won the final. [Fakhar innings?] He’s a great impact player, in his first ICC event, he played like a champion, he can be a great player for Pakistan.
“All credit goes to my bowlers, Amir, Hasan Ali, Shadab, Junaid, Hafeez, they bowled really well. It’s a young team, credit goes to my boys, this tournament can be a great booster for us. We played like we had nothing to lose, now we are champions. It’s a very proud moment for me and my country, and thanks to the nation for supporting us.”
Zaman was named Man of the Match.
Meanwhile, Dhawan received the Golden Bat for being the top run-scorer in the tournament, while Hasan was awarded with the Golden Ball for being the leading wicket-taker. Hasan was also named Play of the Tournament.