Pakistan beat India by 180 runs to win the Champions Trophy title

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Tom Collomosse18 June 2017

Last time Pakistan contested the Champions Trophy, Mohammad Amir was banned from cricket and Fakhar Zaman was only just out of the navy.

On a memorable Sunday at The Kia Oval, they combined beautifully to take the title from overwhelming favourites India – one of the most significant upsets in recent times. Zaman, who was caught behind off a no-ball when he had three, scored a boisterous 114 to help Pakistan reach 338 for four. Then Amir blew away India’s top order, knocking over Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan in a five-over spell of three for 16.

Who could have imagined this outcome after India crushed Pakistan at Edgbaston in the group phase? It was fitting that Hasan Ali – the tournament’s most prolific bowler – should take the final wicket. Jasprit Bumrah’s mistimed a pull shot, Sarfraz Ahmed took the catch and the captain set off towards mid-off in celebration. Pakistan had won by 180 runs, India bowled out for 158 in 30.3 overs.

His team-mates seized stumps and bails; a handful of Pakistan supporters ran on to the outfield in celebration. Many of the India fans had left early in their innings, their hope destroyed by Zaman and Amir.

This was only Zaman’s fifth one-day international. His career may progress from here; if it does not, he will always have this. Zaman started playing cricket full-time only in 2013, after six years in the navy. As for Amir, this was redemption, less than five miles down the road from his darkest moment as a cricketer.

At Lord’s in 2010, Amir, aged 18, was involved in the spot-fixing scandal that spoiled the Test against England. He was banned for five years and served three months of a six-month sentence at Portland Young Offenders’ Institute in Dorset.

Even though Pakistan made 338 for four, leaving India a record chase for victory, the holders would have been confident at the start of their innings.

Rohit and Dhawan were the unbreakable opening pair, Kohli the world’s best batsman, especially when chasing in one-day cricket. Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni had vast experience. The pitch was good, the batting line-up long.

It took only three deliveries for India to start to doubt themselves. Rohit had left alone Amir’s first two deliveries outside the off stump, and should have anticipated the inswinger next – but was not ready for it. The ball thumped into his pad and he was gone for a duck.

Amir was in charge. He found the outside edge of Kohli’s bat, only for Azhar Ali to drop the chance at first slip.

No matter: when Kohli tried to flick the next delivery through midwicket, it flew off the leading edge and was caught by Shadab Khan at point. Having been furious moments earlier, Amir slid on the turf in celebration, and his joyful team-mates tumbled around him.

Dhawan tried to counter-attack but he fell to Amir, too. Surprised by the extra bounce, Dhawan edged to the keeper for 21. For the second Champions Trophy in succession, Dhawan finished top of the run-scoring charts but this will be no consolation to him.

Could Yuvraj and Dhoni, veterans of the 2011 World Cup win, rescue India? Like Dhawan, Yuvraj attempted to assert himself; like his team-mate, he was outwitted. Shadab Khan, the 18-year-old leg-spinner, knew the ball had hit pad before bat, and persuaded captain Sarfraz Ahmed to review. Four balls later, Dhoni pulled a short delivery from Hasan Ali to deep midwicket.

That was 55 for five and soon it was 72 for six, when Kedar Jadhav’s timing was awry and Sarfraz ran to the off side to collect the dropping ball, giving Shadab his second wicket.

Hardik Pandya’s subsequent assault was breathtaking to watch. Shadab tossed up three deliveries, Pandya swatted them towards the pavilion for six. Then Fakhar – bowling instead of the injured Imad Wasim – was deposited into the OCS Stand for two sixes.

When Pandya was eventually run out, he had made 76 from 43 balls. His fury at Ravi Jadeja, who chose not to sacrifice his own wicket to save his team-mate, was understandable. After Pandya departed, the rest went quickly. Pakistan had taken a wonderful win.

Jadeja’s mistake was one of many made by India here as, for the first time in the tournament, the machine malfunctioned. Zaman should have been caught behind for three off Bumrah, but it was a no-ball. It cost India 111 runs. There were 25 extras in total, including 13 wides and three no-balls.

Zaman was well-supported, too. Azhar Ali made 59 of their opening stand of 128 in 23 overs. Mohammad Hafeez made an unbeaten 57 from 37 balls at the end of the innings. Babar Azam fell four short of a half-century. Pakistan supporters wondered if 338 would be enough. This time, there would be no wobbles.

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