Pakistan clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 beating their arch-rival India by 180 runs in the final at the Oval in London on Sunday.
Sent into bat first, Pakistan made a healthy total of 338 for the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then they all out India for 158 off 30.3 overs.
Openers Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman made a solid foundation for Pakistan as they produced together 128 runs in the opening stand.
Fakhar Zaman played the key role for Pakistan’s healthy total as he notched up a marvellous 114. His 106-ball innings was decorated with 12 boundaries and three ovar boundaries. Fakhar Zaman reached his maiden ODI hundred-run landmark using 92 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.
Azhar Ali shone with the willow making 59. He hit six fours and a sixer in his 71-ball innings before he was run out by a joint-effort of Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.
After dismissal of Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam built another notable partnership. They put on together 72 runs for the second wicket stand before Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by Hardik Pandya when Pakistan’s total was exact 200 for the loss of two wickets.
Then Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik added together 47 runs in the third wicket stand before Shoaib Malik (12) was caught at the cover by Kedar Jadhab off Bhuvneshwar Kumar when Pakistan’s score was 247 for the loss of three wickets.
After removal of Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam was caught at the long-off by Yuvraj Singh off Kedar Jadhab when Pakistan’s total was 267 for the loss of four wickets.
Babar Azam hit a polished 46 off 52 balls including four fours.
After departure of Babar Azam, Mohhammad Hafeez and Imad Wasim put on together 71 runs for the unbroken five-wicket stand before Pakistan’s innings was concluded.
Mohammad Hafeez remained unbeaten with 57. He hit three sixes and four fours in his 32nd ODI half century of his career.
Imad Wasim remained unbeaten with 25.
Keadar Jadhab, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya took one wicket apiece.
Later, India faced a batting collapse as they lost their six wickets for 72 runs.
Then Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja fought back contributing together 80 runs for the seventh wicket stand before Hardik Pandya was unfortunately run out by a joint-effort of Mohammad Hafeez and Hasan Ali when India’s score was 152 for the loss of seven wickets.
After departure of Pandya, the other batsmen of India failed to resist the tight and controlled bowling attack against Pakistan.
Pandya restored some parity for India hitting a magnificent 76. His 43-ball innings was ornamented with six sixers and four fours. It was Pandya’s second ODI half century.
Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan played the key role in wrecking India’s innings.
Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali grabbed three wickets each at the cost of 16 and 19 runs respectively, while Shadab Khan bagged a couple of wickets for 60 runs.
Besides, Junaid Khan took one wicket for 20 runs.
Fakhar Zaman was adjudged the Man of the Final for his match-winning batting performance.
