ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 reasons why Pakistan can beat India in the final

After two weeks of spectacular cricket in the 2017 Champions Trophy, it all boils down to the ultimate showdown - the final at the Kennington Oval in London. India versus Pakistan is always a high-voltage clash and this one promises to be an absolute thriller.

In the beginning, very few people had given Pakistan a chance of coming this far in the tournament, but they defied the odds and overcame one hurdle after the other. However, India won’t be a walk in the park for Sarfraz Ahmed’s men and Pakistani cricketers have to be on top of their game.

However, Pakistan have the ammunitions to humble India, lift the cup and also make it 3-2 in terms of head to head in the Champions Trophy against arch rivals India. And, here we take you through the five reasons why the Men in Green can win their first ever Champions Trophy.

#5 The stupendous run of Hasan Ali

With Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan in the ranks, Hassan Ali wasn’t expected to be the spearhead of Pakistan’s bowling repertoire. However, that is exactly what has happened.

He is not the one to give batsmen an intimidating look, but will gradually get under their skins. As the tournament progressed, the 23-year-old pacer climbed up the ladder to surprise oppositions. The Punjab-born bowler is currently leading the list of top wicket-takers with 10 in four games.

He has bagged as many as three three-wicket hauls in his last three games against South Africa, Sri Lanka and England respectively at a healthy economy of 3.64. Hasan was expensive in Pakistan’s erstwhile encounter against India, but his current form is bound to infuse confidence in the Men in Green, going into the Finale.

#4 Fakhar Zaman’s rich vein of form

Fakhar Zaman has changed the complexion of Pakistan batting with his stroke-play

Pakistan started their Champions Trophy campaign with an awful outing with the bat against India, stumbling to a mammoth 124-run loss. On a batting paradise, the Pakistanis looked all at sea and were unable to get the scoreboard moving.

However, Pakistan took the gamble of playing a debutant in Fakhar Zaman from the next match, which changed the complexion of their batting. They needed someone to take bowling attacks by the scruff of their necks and Zaman did exactly that.

With 138 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 117.94, he has turned a bleak looking batting order into a formidable one and Pakistan will hope he continues his fiery form.

#3 Ability of the spinners to choke the opposition

Imad Wasim has come back well after Pakistan’s opening game against India

In their first game, Indian batsmen didn’t allow the spinners settle into a rhythm during the middle phase of their innings. Nevertheless, the tables have turned and Pakistan have turned that weakness into strength.

Imad Wasim was taken to the cleaners by Hardik Pandya and the other Indian batsmen, but he came back with a spell of 8-0-20-2 against South Africa. Shadab Khan has also been able to put a lid on the scoring with an economy of 4.66 on some good batting wickets.

In their last game, they managed to get an in-form English batting lineup on the mat, which shows the form their spinners are in. To win the final, Wasim and Co have to showcase the same skills to take the sting out of the Indian batting.

#2 Experienced heads gaining back form

Azhar Ali has been scratchy with a strike of 71

It’s pretty understandable that teams bank on their experienced players to deliver during crucial moments of a game. Pakistan have quite a few of them in their armoury who have delivered for them time and again in international cricket.

Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Azhar Ali looked rusty in the pool games but were in good touch in Pakistan’s semi-final win over England. Azhar Ali might not boast of a blistering strike rate, however, with 169 runs to his name his role at the top to keep things calm will be key in the Final.

Hafeez has struggled to find form but chipped in with a handy 31 runs in 21 balls against England. And against India, every one of those runs will matter.

#1 Depth in batting

Mohammad Amir’s 28 turned out to be match-winning against Sri Lanka

Depth in batting is a vital component in today’s dynamics of cricket and can sometimes be the difference between a win and a loss. To be precise, it’s their lower order batting that has helped Pakistan to a semi-final berth against England.

Mohammad Amir is no mug with the bat and he manifested the same with a gutsy knock of 28 runs from 43 balls, coming in at number nine against Sri Lanka. Along with Sarfaraz Ahmed, the left-hander compiled a partnership of 75 runs to take Pakistan out of a precarious position and ultimately to a win.

The Indian bowling has been top notch and the lower half of the Pakistan batting might have to come to the fore if the top and middle order doesn’t do their jobs.