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Rediff.com  » Cricket » PHOTOS: Pakistan maul India to lift Champions Trophy title

PHOTOS: Pakistan maul India to lift Champions Trophy title

Last updated on: June 18, 2017 22:36 IST
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IMAGES from the Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan on Sunday

IMAGE: Pakistan's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the ICC Champions Trophy. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

An inspired Pakistan hammered a blundering India by 180 runs to lift the ICC Champions Trophy, riding on a scintillating hundred from rookie opener Fakhar Zaman and a sensational bowling spell from Mohammad Amir.

This is Pakistan’s first ICC title triumph since their 2009 World Twenty20 win but more importantly it broke the jinx of not performing against India in big ticket matches.

Pakistan celebrate after Hasan Ali dismissing India's Ravichandran Ashwin

IMAGE: Pakistan's players celebrate after Hasan Ali dismissed Ravichandran Ashwin. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

For a team that can’t play international cricket at home due to security issues, the victory has far-reaching implications.

If Zaman announced his arrival in international cricket with a match-defining knock, Pakistan cricket’s ‘enfant terrible’ Amir finally managed to sing a redemption song that he has been longing for.

Hardik Pandya of India shows his frustration after being run out

IMAGE: Hardik Pandya shows his frustration after being run out. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

It was a charged-up performance from Sarfraz Ahmed’s underdog team with left-handed opener Zaman, after a lucky reprieve, scoring a pulsating 114 in their imposing 338 for 4.      Amir (6-2-16-3) then tormented the Indian batsmen with a devastating first spell and eventually the defending champions were bundled out for 158 in only 30.3 overs.

Pakistan captain and keeper Sarfraz Ahmed celebrates with Shadab Khan after catching out India's Kedar Jadhav

IMAGE: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed celebrates with Shadab Khan after the wicket of Kedar Jadhav. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The match turned out to be one of the most nightmarish under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.

It was a match where everything went awry for the ‘Men in Blue’ from the time Kohli went out for the toss.

On a flat deck, Kohli surprised everyone opting to field, a decision prompted by the current team’s ability to chase any target.

MS Dhoni leaves the field after being caught out by Imad Wasim

IMAGE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni leaves the field after being dismissed by Hasan Ali. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

It started on a wrong note when a beautiful delivery from Jasprit Bumrah was nicked by an edgy Zaman only to be called no-ball due to overstepping. Zaman scored a ton. The two spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (0/70 in 10 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/67 in 8 overs) were then taken to the task with not a single wicket-taking delivery being bowled by the duo.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir celebrates with team mates after dismissing India’s Shikhar Dhawan

IMAGE: Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir celebrates with team mates after dismissing Shikhar Dhawan. Photograph: Paul Childs Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

With no assistance from the pitch, their limitations were thoroughly exposed against batsmen, who were ready to use their feet.

The ‘Law of Averages’ were certainly going to catch up with India’s ‘Big Three’ after their brilliant run in the tournament. Worse, it happened in the final.

Rohit Sharma (0), Shikhar Dhawan (21) and Virat Kohli (5) were snuffed out by Amir in a devastating first spell with three brilliant deliveries. The fate of the match was sealed.

Shikhar Dhawan hits out

IMAGE: Shikhar Dhawan hits out. Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Hardik Pandya smashed 76 off 43 balls, hit half a dozen of sixes to provide some entertainment, before being run-out due to a horrible mix-up with Jadeja. Pandya was livid but he was only delaying the inevitable.

As the final wicket fell, Oval, immersed in a ’Sea of Green’, was euphoric in its celebration along with those eleven on the field.

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir celebrates after claiming the wicket of India captain Virat Kohli

IMAGE: Pakistan's Mohammad Amir celebrates after claiming the wicket of India captain Virat Kohli. Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

The victory was achieved by one of the most de-glamorous outfits under one of the most unassuming captains in the history of Pakistan cricket –Sarfraz and he deserved it more than anyone else for showing the composure one expects from model captains.

Earlier, playing his first ODI tournament, the 27-year-old left-hander got a "life" when he was batting on four as Bumrah overstepped while MS Dhoni took a simple catch behind the stumps.

Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez en route his aggressive innings

IMAGE: Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez on the attack. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Zaman made full use of the opportunity to punish the Indian attack on a day when it mattered most.

Along with senior pro Azhar Ali (58 off 71 balls), Zaman set the platform with a 128-run partnership for the opening wicket and consolidated it further with a whirlwind 72 off 63 balls with Babar Azam (46 off 52). 

India's Hardik Pandya leaps as he attempts a catch at the boundary

IMAGE: India's Hardik Pandya leaps as he attempts a catch at the boundary. Photograph: Andrew Boyers Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

By the time Jadeja took a well-judged catch off Hardik Pandya to remove Zaman, the team’s total had reached 200.

The final flourish was provided by veteran Mohammed Hafeez (57 off 37) with help of four boundaries and three sixes. He added 71 for in 7.3 overs with Imad Wasim (25 no off 21).  

To add insult to injury, India bowled 13 wides and three no-balls in what was a woeful day for all, save Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/44 in 10 overs).

India’s Kedar Jadhav celebrates with Virat Kohli after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Babar Azam

IMAGE: India’s Kedar Jadhav celebrates with Virat Kohli after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Babar Azam. Photograph: Paul Childs/Reuters

Ashwin and Jadeja got a pounding from Zaman, who would clear his front leg and muscle the deliveries through on-side, occasionally hitting the inside out shot through extra cover.

He got a few streaky boundaries upfront but then settled in to give each Indian bowler, a mighty thwack.

There was no looking back after that and was liberal help from all the Indian bowlers, who erred in length, gave away needless extras to release the pressure completely.

India's Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of Pakistan's Shoaib Malik

IMAGE: India's Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of Pakistan's Shoaib Malik. Photograph: Paul Childs Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

In humid conditions and on flattest of decks, Kohli decided to field first but his bowlers did not do justice to the faith he had shown in them.

Especially both the spinners looked clueless with no help from the pitch. Zaman and Azhar were ready to use their feet and with no turn on offer whipped them on all parts of the ground with ease. In between the two lead spinners, they were hit for 12 boundaries and five sixes.

India's Hardik Pandya celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman (right)

IMAGE: India's Hardik Pandya celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman. Photograph: Paul Childs Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

The second Powerplay (Overs 11-40) were fully utilised by Pakistan, who scored 191 runs and bulk of those came off the spinners.

Jadeja was guilty of not varying his pace. He bowled too quick and too flat which made strokeplay easier. 

Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman celebrates reaching his century against India

IMAGE: Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman celebrates reaching his century against India. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Zaman’s batting didn’t have the grace that one normally associates with left-handers but on a true pitch where hitting through the line was easy, it suited his style.

The best part about Zaman was his ability to find the boundary at ease during the second Powerplay.

India 'keeper MS Dhoni breaks the stumps to run out Pakistan's Azhar Ali

IMAGE: India 'keeper MS Dhoni breaks the stumps to run out Pakistan's Azhar Ali. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Earlier, India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to field in the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan at the Oval on Sunday.

Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman bats

IMAGE: Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman bats. Photograph: Paul Childs Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

Kohli named an unchanged team for the match while Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir returned to the line-up after missing the semi-final victory over England through injury. He replaces Rumman Raees.

This was the second match between the sub-continent rivals at this year's tournament, with India having thrashed Pakistan in their opening group outing.

Pakistan opener Azhar Ali plays a drive during his innings against India during the Champiions Trophy final on Sunday

IMAGE: Pakistan opener Azhar Ali plays a drive during his innings against India during the Champiions Trophy final on Sunday. Photograph: Paul Childs Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

The India-Pakistan clash, often referred to as the 'mother of all battles', once-again filled the cricket fans with enthusiasm and anticipation as the two arch-rivals clashed for the second time in a month's time in the high-voltage final.

India's Jasprit Bumrah bowls a no-ball granting a life to Azhar Ali

IMAGE: India's Jasprit Bumrah bowls a no-ball granting a life to Azhar Ali. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

As cricket enthusiasts all over world were anxiously waiting for the battle, an air of unusual excitement was felt among young cricketers across the country as they wish the Indian players all the luck for today's match.

"We are totally confident that India will win. There is no doubt about it. I am already preparing for the win. Everyone is in form," said a cricket fan from Mumbai before the match.

India fans before the match at the Oval in London on Sunday

IMAGE: India fans before the match at the Oval in London on Sunday. Photograph: Paul Childs Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

"India is playing well. Even Pakistan is doing well. I think it will be a close match," said another.

"Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah are bowling very well and the batting order is also taken care of by Rohit, Dhawan and Kohli," said a cricket fan.

"I think a final match is taking place between both nations after 10 years. I think it will be a very interesting game. I think Virat is really doing well and India will win," said a fan from Vadodara.

India and Pakistan fans before the match at the Oval

IMAGE: India and Pakistan fans before the match at the Oval. Photograph: Paul Childs Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

"Pakistan had a really good come back, but we all are sure that India will win," said a fan from Bengaluru.

"It will be a good match because even Pakistan is in good form. But when it comes to winning, it is only India. Pakistan is good with bowling," said a fan from Bhopal.

Indian cricket fans in Ahmedabad, hold a trophy as they cheer for their team before the start of the Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan at the Oval

IMAGE: Indian cricket fans in Ahmedabad, hold a trophy as they cheer for their team before the start of the Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan at the Oval. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

"Our team is in full form. There is no doubt that India will win. If India keeps playing like this then Pakistan have no chance of winning," said a cricket enthusiast from Delhi.

This is the fifth time India and Pakistan have faced off in the Champions Trophy; the record is currently balanced with two victories each. 

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