The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan, held on June 18, 2017, at The Oval in London, was one of the most thrilling and memorable encounters in recent cricket history. Despite India being the overwhelming favorites, Pakistan pulled off a stunning and dominant victory, defeating India by 180 runs to claim their first-ever Champions Trophy title.
Pre-match Context
India and Pakistan, two of the fiercest rivals in world cricket, had already provided an exciting spectacle in the group stages of the tournament. India had comfortably defeated Pakistan by 124 runs in their previous encounter. This made them the clear favorites heading into the final. Pakistan, on the other hand, had a rocky start to the tournament but had found their rhythm as the competition progressed, especially after a convincing semi-final victory against England.
The Match: Pakistan’s Stunning Performance
Pakistan’s Batting Brilliance
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that would prove to be crucial. Opening batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali gave Pakistan a solid foundation with a strong partnership. However, it was Zaman who played a remarkable innings, scoring a match-winning 114 runs off 106 balls. Zaman's innings was the highlight of Pakistan's batting performance, as he guided his team to a total of 338/4 in 50 overs.
Fakhar Zaman’s knock was both stylish and composed, with his ability to find the boundary and rotate strike consistently. He received valuable support from Shoaib Malik (12 off 22 balls) and the rest of the middle order, as the Indian bowlers failed to make inroads. The Indian bowlers, who had been dominant throughout the tournament, struggled to contain Pakistan's attack. Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin all went for runs.
India’s Response: A Disastrous Collapse
Chasing 339, India’s batting lineup, which had been in exceptional form during the tournament, was expected to put up a strong challenge. However, the Indian team was rattled from the very beginning. The pressure of the big final seemed to affect India’s top order. Star batsman Rohit Sharma was dismissed early, followed by Virat Kohli’s shocking departure for just 5 runs, leaving India at a precarious 33/2.
The situation worsened when Shikhar Dhawan, the tournament’s top scorer, was dismissed for just 21, and the Indians were soon staring down the barrel at 54/5. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by the pace of Mohammad Amir, were on fire. Amir's spell was particularly memorable, as he dismissed the key Indian batsmen—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan—with some brilliant deliveries. He finished with figures of 3/16 in his 6 overs, which were instrumental in India’s collapse.
India's middle order couldn't recover, and they were eventually bowled out for a paltry 158 runs in just 30.3 overs, handing Pakistan a comprehensive 180-run victory. Mohammad Amir was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
Key Moments of the Match
1. Fakhar Zaman’s Century: Zaman’s 114-run knock under pressure was one of the most memorable innings in a final. His timing and shot selection were exemplary, and he helped Pakistan post a daunting total.
2. Mohammad Amir’s Fiery Spell: Amir's early breakthroughs in the Indian top order, especially dismissing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, turned the game in Pakistan's favor.
3. India’s Batting Collapse: India’s failure to chase down a chaseable total left cricket fans in shock, as the team, full of top-class players, was dismissed far too cheaply.
Aftermath
Pakistan’s victory over India in the final was nothing short of a historic upset. While Pakistan's win was celebrated with immense joy back home, India’s loss left many of their fans disappointed, especially after their dominant performances in the group stages and semi-final.
This win marked Pakistan’s first-ever ICC Champions Trophy title, and it was a fitting reward for a team that had shown remarkable resilience after a poor start to the tournament. For India, it was a humbling experience, and the loss served as a reminder that in cricket, anything can happen, especially in high-stakes finals.
Significance
Pakistan's Triumph: The win symbolized Pakistan’s ability to rise to the occasion, and it was a victory that united the nation. The unexpected nature of the victory made it even more special for their fans.
India’s Humbling: India, despite being a powerhouse in world cricket, was unable to handle the pressure in the final. The loss acted as a reality check for their team, who were expected to dominate the final.
Conclusion
The 2017 Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan remains one of the most iconic moments in cricketing history. Pakistan's emphatic win over their arch-rivals was a massive achievement for the team, while India was left to reflect on what went wrong. The final showcased the unpredictability of the game, where no team is ever truly out of the contest, and every match can deliver unexpected twists. Pakistan’s victory is still cherished as one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s history.
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