The victory, and its relative ease over an India team that not only had got the better of Pakistan in one-day matches for the past decade, winning 12 and losing only eight - and winning four of the last five since 2013 - stunned cricket fans and experts, especially coming from a Pakistan team that has played only one global series in its home country since a 2009 terrorist attack forced them to adopt the United Arab Emirates as their home turf.
To avoid unnecessary and unwelcomed tensions, security personnel were deployed outside cricketer M. S. Dhoni's residence soon after the match.
Following are five key moments that helped Pakistan win the Champions Trophy for the first time with a crushing 180-run victory over holders India at The Oval on Sunday.
In reply, India were all out for 158 runs in 30.3 overs.
Pakistan, who were termed dark horses at the beginning of the tournament, showed a spectacular performance as India stars Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh failed.
It started on a wrong note when a handsome delivery from Jasprit Bumrah was nicked by an edgy Zaman only to be called no-ball due to overstepping. But the more consistent you get in learning from games like this, it s better for the team in the future. "No matter what they bring, we are believing in our abilities". 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. "We have a young team and credit to my boys".
Philippines casino attack: Police say gunman was indebted gambler, not a terrorist
Mourners light candles and lay flowers at a memorial to victims of the attack on the Resorts World Manila entertainment complex. Shortly afterward, he dons a black mask, slips on an ammunition vest and pulls an M4 carbine assault rifle out of his backpack.
As soon as the sun set and people broke their religious fast, large numbers came out to watch Pakistan seamers squeezing India in its run-chase.
From there Mickey Arthur's side lost some of their momentum but still finished on 338-4, leaving India by far the highest chase in a Champions Trophy final. No matter the conditions, you have to play good cricket.
"They proved it again, they can upset anyone on their day, disappointing for us but I have a smile on my face because we played well to reach the final", Kohli added.
The bowling department for India under the likes of pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have looked solid bowling economically while providing clinical breakthroughs.
According to Arthur, India's top-order has done marvelously well and the middle-order has not been tested throughout the competition, so if Pakistan want to create a chance for themselves, they'll have to focus their attack on Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli who have been scoring the bulk of the runs for the Men in Blue.
Widely written off after an abject display in their opening group match against the same opponents, the lowest-ranked team going into the tournament suddenly rediscovered their mojo. We knew we'd prepared well, we knew that game was an aberration, we knew we were better than that.


Comments