Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan crushed India by 180 runs to win the ICC Champions Trophy title for the first time. With this, Pakistan became the fourth team to complete the ICC table.
A fearsome burst of pace bowling from Mohammad Amir consigned India to a horror 180-run defeat at The Oval.
Chasing Pakistan’s 338 for four, India went down without a fight, as the defending champions lost three in-form batsmen in the first nine overs. Hasan ‘bomber’ Ali took three wickets for 19 to polish off the Indian tail. Pakistan won with 117 balls to spare.
Hardik Pandya’s 43-ball 76 was the lone bright spot in India’s batting, but his run out gave Pakistan an easy passage to victory. India lost Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni in the space of four balls. Yuvraj looked good for his 31-ball 22 but leg-spinner Shahdab Khan won an LBW decision via the TV umpire. Dhoni too lost composure, pulling Hasan Ali to deep square leg.
Imad Wasim’s diving catch at the deep square leg reflected Pakistan’s eagerness to play good cricket. They never lost control even after Pandya launched into their spinners. After Junaid Khan got rid of Ravindra Jadeja, it was just a matter of time. Earlier, Fakhar Zaman’s maiden ODI hundred (114) and his 128-run opening wicket stand with Azhar Ali helped Pakistan pile on a formidable 338 for four wickets.
Harbhajan Singh congratulated Pakistan on Twitter and also asked people to stop lame jokes in the name of ‘Baap-Beta’. He wrote,
“Congratulations Pak cricket team 4 winning the CL17.guys plz stop saying who is baap who is beta.sabka Malik ek woh uparwala.Ind or paki”
Congratulations Pak cricket team 4 winning the CL17.guys plz stop saying who is baap who is beta.sabka Malik ek woh uparwala.Ind or paki??
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 18, 2017
