What a way for Pakistan to finally get one over their fiercest rivals. After years of embarrassing defeats at the hands of the Men In Blue in ICC tournaments, Pakistan have got one back – and what a time to get it!
After being put in to bat first, Pakistan took the challenge head on and posted 338 runs on the board with Fakhar Zaman scoring a peach of a century. In response, India imploded as they were desecrated by Mohammed Amir’s fiery spell.
Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final: India vs Pakistan, 5 things Virat Kohli's men did wrong
In the end, India lost by 180 runs and here are 5 memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes:
#1 Fakhar Zaman’s no-ball dismissal
This probably was the greatest moment of this year’s Champions Trophy. Overstepping alone is a crime that bowlers should avoid. Overstepping in a final is a sin, but a forgivable one. However, overstepping in a final that resulted in a batsman not getting out despite being caught behind should be the 8th deadliest sin of mankind.
Also read: Jasprit Bumrah's no ball that gave Fakhar Zaman a lifeline is the SK Turning Point of the Match
Had Fakhar Zaman been dismissed the very next ball, it would have been okay. Actually, if he had been sent to the pavilion even after making a 50, it could have been digestible. However, Zaman went on to score 111 more runs to finish with 114 from just 106 balls, setting the platform for Pakistan to win the final.
#2 Mohammed Hafeez’s finish
A good start doesn’t mean much if it isn’t backed up by a great finish. In Pakistan’s case, the good work of Fakhar Zaman was brilliantly complemented by Mohammed Hafeez’s finish. After coming in to bat at a comfortable position, he helped Pakistan post a total of 338 with a good knock at the end.
The former Pakistan captain scored 57 off just 37 balls, smashing 4 fours and 3 sixes in the process to give Pakistan the momentum at the end. Not that it mattered, though, as India fell like a pack of cards thanks to…
#3 Mohammad Amir’s deadly spell
When he came onto the scene as an 18-year-old, he was destined for great things. Unfortunately, however, a fixing scandal threw his career in jeopardy from which many thought he wouldn’t be able to recover.
However, Mohammed Amir is just too talented to become a lost cause – and he proved just that. Raging in to bowl against the Indians, Amir got the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan – three of the most in-form batsmen in the tournament.
In the end, he finished with three wickets to his name and conceded only 16 runs in the process.
#4 Pandya’s resilience
The match was virtually lost by the time Hardik Pandya came out to bat, but one has to give a shout out to the all-rounder for displaying courage right at the end. He showed more fight than all the other Indian batsmen combined and deserves praise for it.
When he arrived at the crease, India were reeling at 54-5 and ran the risk of not being able to put up even 100 runs on the board. However, with the help of 6 sixes and 4 fours, he managed to score 76 off just 43 balls, ensuring that India finished with over 150 runs. He may have even taken India close to a win, but a misunderstanding with Ravindra Jadeja resulted in him returning to the pavilion in unceremonious fashion.
#5 Shadab’s final blow
Mohammad Amir had already done enough damage. However, one never knows what could happen when Yuvraj Singh is at the crease. Yuvraj was India’s best player in their World Cup conquest in 2011 and he has the ability to make the impossible possible.
However, Shadab Khan made sure that the southpaw didn’t come deliver the goods on the night. After trapping the southpaw in front of the wicket, he got Kedar Jadhav out for a mere nine runs and finished with two wickets. He may have been pummelled by Pandya in the end, giving away 60 runs in seven overs, but he had already done his job to ensure India’s demise.
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