2017 ICC Champions Trophy – Tournament’s Best XI
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:35 PM
The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 was all about some really unexpected moments which came to the fore. After being routed by India in their first game of the competition, fans expected the same old story from Pakistan and a first round exit seemed imminent.
However, call it Pakistan’s biggest strength or world cricket’s biggest fascination with the team, it was the extremely unpredictable nature of the men in green which caught all other sides off guard.
From that loss, Pakistan picked themselves up in such an inspiring way that there was no looking back. They came down hunting against India in the final and clinched their first ever Champions Trophy title. With the tournament being a memorable affair, we have a look at the best XI of this edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.
- Shikhar Dhawan – 338 runs at an average of 67.6:
The stylish Indian opener began the first ever individual to win the prestigious Golden Bat award on two occasions. Dhawan looked in sublime form throughout the tournament and game after game, played some really enthralling knocks. This tournament was Dhawan’s acid test and now with such a memorable performance from him, he has cemented his place in that Indian side. The two half-centuries and one century from his willow were among the bright spots for team India.
- Fakhar Zaman – 252 runs at an average of 63:
Fakhar Zaman’s inclusion from the game against South Africa instilled an ocean of positivity within the Pakistani setup. His bright and eye catching starts at the top of the order provided the much-needed momentum and he was an ideal folly for someone as solid as Azhar Ali. He saved the best for his last, and it was his superb ton against India in the final which made the difference for Pakistan. It was his strike rate of 113 ultimately which made all the difference.
- Rohit Sharma – 304 runs at an average of 76:
Despite being an opener and considering the flexible nature of this XI, the ever elegant Rohit Sharma would be slotted at number three. Despite team India not winning the tournament, Rohit Sharma ensured that the campaign as a whole was a memorable affair for him, as he ended with 304 runs to his name at a stunning average of 76. His ton against Bangladesh in the semi-final was flawless, to say the least.
- Virat Kohli – 258 runs at an average of 129:
Throughout the competition, Virat Kohli looked absolutely invincible, as he batted superbly in all the games which team India won. In the three games which the men in blue won, Kohli registered as many half-centuries. However, the overdependence of the team on him is reflected when his two failures came in the losing causes. Despite not being at his best in the final, Kohli has done enough to be a part of this side.
- Kane Williamson – 244 runs at an average of 81.33:
New Zealand might have been winless in this tournament, but the form their captain Kane Williamson was in, it surely lit up Group A. Playing just three games in all, the ever reliable right-hander scored 244 runs at an average of 81.33, which included one flawless century against Australia, and two half-centuries against England and Bangladesh, respectively. It would have been an exciting sight to watch him perform further, had New Zealand qualified.
- Ben Stokes – 184 runs and three wickets:
Scoring an impressing 184 runs at an average of 92, Ben Stokes carried on his rich vein of form. The game against Australia which England won, would be best remembered for the absolute destruction caused by Stokes, as the southpaw single-handedly decimated Australia. Ultimately, it was his inability to accelerate against Pakistan on a dead slow Cardiff track, that hurt his team’s cause.
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (C and Wk) – 76 runs at an average of 76:
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s astute and enigmatic captaincy, in the end, made all the difference for Pakistan, as he got his troops along despite all the chips were down. From a personal front, he led the show against Sri Lanka, from a position where no one backed Pakistan to make a comeback. As it turns out, it was his daring and audacious knock which won Pakistan the title.
- Adil Rashid – Seven wickets at an average of 20.28:
By far the best spinner in this competition, Rashid stole the show with his wrist spin. England made an absolute blunder by not having him for the first game, but luckily it didn’t cost them. It was his game-changing spell against Australia which knocked out the Kangaroos. England might not have won the title, but Rashid’s advance as a genuine wicket taker has been a big positive.
- Josh Hazlewood – Nine wickets at an average of 15.77:
Probably the only bright spot in Australia’s otherwise dismal campaign, Hazlewood stunned all opponents with his accuracy. The lanky pacer brought a turnaround in the resulting game against New Zealand and picked up a fine six-wicket haul. Against England too, the pacer looked extremely dangerous in his first spell.
- Hasan Ali – 13 wickets at an average of 14.69:
The Man of the Tournament and the Golden Ball winner, Hasan Ali made it an unforgettable outing for Pakistan in England this time around. After being hammered by India in the first game, it was Ali’s skills which brought Pakistan back in the hunt, as he took three crucial wickets against South Africa. Picking up four consecutive three wicket hauls, Ali inspired Pakistan to glory.
- Junaid Khan – Eight wickets at an average of 19.37:
It’s inspiring to know what the inclusion of just one member can do. After being overlooked for the game against India, Khan was lethal against South Africa, as he picked up wickets at the crucial moments. Throughout the campaign, Junaid put on a display of excellent reverse swing bowling, which often won Pakistan the all-important middle overs phase.