Praising Pakistan for their brilliant all-round performance in the Champions Trophy final here on Sunday, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said the green brigade can upset any team on their day. And not only for the players but also for the fans, who have not been able to identify with their heroes, because they just don't get to watch global cricket at home.
However, there were few match-defining bowling spell which took spotlight in the two-week long tournament.
Pakistan pacer Hassan Ali, who was named Player of the Tournament after finishing with 13 wickets including hauls of 3/19 in the final and 3/35 against England, has gained 12 positions to reach the No.7 position. Fakhar, four knocks into his worldwide career, struck a buoyant big-match century against his team's archrivals, denting key bowlers out of shape during a 128-run opening stand with Azhar Ali, before a bristling Pakistan grew the total with hitherto unsuspected power and skill. "Amir bowled brilliantly but all my bowlers bowled really well". Riding on Hashim Amla's century, the Proteas managed a decent total of 299 from 50 overs.
The tweet provoked many Pakistani fans and they responded harshly. They will win some, lose some, and learn their own lessons.
However, Tahir had different plans for them as the South African legspinner kept finding breakthroughs and bagged four wickets to snatch the match from Sri Lanka's hand.
India were asked to produce the highest successful run chase in Trophy history, and had the weapons to do it.
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While the country's largest paper, the Urdu-daily Jang, announced: "Pakistan Champions, trounced Indian team".
Speaking at the post-match media conference, Sarfraz said: "I think things were great for me, my team and my country". Wood was on fir that day as he removed David Warner early and then also sent back well set Steve Smith, Glen Maxwell and Adam Zampa.
The stunning turnaround in form of Pakistan, which was thrashed by India in their opening game of the tournament and largely written off, has gripped the nation of 190 million people. Pakistan needed to upgrade their game and match the level of the competition if they wanted to remain in the tournament and avoid another loss, as they were facing the World no 1 side South Africa.
Only Pakistan's mercurial reputation gave anyone pause about their slim-to-none chance of winning the Champions Trophy. Ali removed unsafe looking Faf Du Plessis before sending back JP Duminy and Wayne Parnell.
Pakistan's unlikely victory comes at a time when the sport has been engulfed in crisis at home. In a group stage match against Bangladesh, Australian bowlers removed the top order of the Tigers.
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