Pakistan clinched their maiden Champions Trophy title after defeating India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 at the Oval on Sunday.
The lowest ranked team in the ICC Champions Trophy has beaten the defending champions and one of the biggest giants of world cricket. Sport has the ability to churn out the biggest of fairytales, doesn’t it?
India won the toss and chose to bowl first, a straightforward decision, considering India’s fiery batting line-up. That was the only thing that went as per plan for Virat Kohli’s men. Jasprit Bumrah caught a nick off the eventual centurion, Fakhar Zaman. However, the decision was reversed, thanks to a huge no-ball bowled by the 21-year-old. Pakistan went on to score a mammoth total of 323 for 4 and put immense pressure on defending champions.
India had a nightmare start to their batting innings with Mohammad Amr and Junaid Khan breathing fire and releasing bullets one after the other. Amir’s sensational bowling spell dismissed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan in quick succession. India could never recover after that and spiralled to an almost-shameful total of 158/10.
Earlier, the Men in Blue failed to chase down a mammoth total of 339 runs in London as they were bundled out for 158 runs to lose the match by 180 runs. Kohli after winning the toss elected to field first and the Pakistan openers didn’t leave a stone unturned to capitalise on the opportunity.
Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali put on a partnership of 128 runs for the first wicket before Ali was run out after a mix up in the middle between the two batsmen. Zaman though carried on with his dream run with the bat in this tournament and went on to smash his maiden hundred in ODI format. The left-hander now has two half-centuries and score of 31 under his belt along with this ton against India.
India had a dismal start to the chase when they lost Rohit Sharma for a duck while skipper Virat Kohli for 5 in the first four overs. They were soon left struggling at 54/5 before Hardik Pandya ignited some hopes with his power hitting. Pandya scored 76 off 43 deliveries before getting run out after a terrible confusion in the middle with Jadeja.
Over the years, India beating Pakistan in big tournaments had become inevitable. But it all changed this English Sunday.
https://twitter.com/sanjaymanjrekar/status/876464074942537729
@hardikpandya7 seems to have different ideas. How well is he hitting the ball? Outstanding batting
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 18, 2017
You put up a fight @hardikpandya7 … And that's what matters .. #IndvPak
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) June 18, 2017
Congratulations Pakistan on a really comprehensive victory today. Well played, deserved winners and a great result for Pakistan cricket.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 18, 2017
Incredible turnaround by Pakistan, from being tormented in the 1st game to be the tormentors.What a great leveller life is,Congratulations
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) June 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/ImRaina/status/876470646657757184
This performance will be remembered long by both Indian and Pakistani fans 🙂 Pakistan 've made this #CT17 truly memorable
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 18, 2017
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