June 18, 2017
LONDON: Following are five key moments that helped Pakistan win the Champions Trophy for the first time with a crushing 180-run victory over holders India at The Oval on Sunday.
India have done well chasing down targets so captain Virat Kohli opted to put his rivals in to bat first. It proved to be a good toss to lose as Sarfraz said he would also have elected to field if he had won it.
"We wanted to bowl first. But the toss is out of our control. Hopefully, we can post more than 300," Sarfraz said.
With his bat tucked under his arm, Fakhar begins the long walk back to the pavilion as the Indians celebrate grabbing their first wicket with only four Pakistan runs on the board.
The celebrations swiftly change direction, however, when replays on the big scoreboard show that Jasprit Bumrah had bowled a no ball and Fakhar is called back to the crease.
It proved to be a costly no ball as Fakhar goes on to score his first international century before falling for 114.
The Indian captain had come into the match with an astonishing batting average of 253 runs in this year’s tournament, having been dismissed only once in four matches.
So when he was dropped by Azhar Ali in the slips off Mohammad Amir in the third over, huge cheers erupted around the arena.
Pakistan made sure it did not turn out to be a costly mistake, though, as Amir dismissed him next ball.
His departure proved to be a bad omen for the Indians as the only other time he had been dismissed in this year’s Champions Trophy - against Sri Lanka in the group stage - the holders also lost the match.
Amir was at his brilliant best when he produced a devastating opening spell. He removed India’s top three batsmen - Rohit Sharma (0), Shikhar Dhawan (21) and Kohli (5).
After leaving India reeling on six for two following the dismissals of Sharma and Kohli, Amir’s figures read 1.4 overs, four runs, two wickets.
His transformation into a hero was complete as his final tally was six overs, two maidens, 16 runs and three wickets.
Pandya came to the crease with India teetering on 54 for five after Yuvraj Singh and former captain Dhoni departed in quick succession.
He raised hopes of pulling off a one-man Indian Houdini act as he hit three successive sixes to reach his half century.
But just when it seemed that he was blazing towards a first international century, he was run out after a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja.
India still had three wickets in hand but the deafening cheers from the Pakistan fans made clear that the end was nigh.
India lost their last four wickets for the addition of only six runs.
