Unews World
As excitement builds for another high-stakes clash between Pakistan and India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken fans on a nostalgic journey by sharing a video featuring Pakistani cricketers reminiscing about their historic 2017 Champions Trophy victory.
The ICC’s official Instagram post, captioned “A trip down memory lane as stars from Pakistan share their favourite moments from the 2017 Champions Trophy,” revisits the unforgettable final at The Oval, where Pakistan stunned arch-rivals India to lift the coveted trophy.
Players recall glory
Babar Azam, reflecting on the match, highlighted multiple standout moments, including Fakhar Zaman’s century, which he believes “set the tone for the game”.
He also credited Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and his own contributions for setting up a formidable total, before lauding Mohammad Amir’s spell for dismantling India’s top order.
Naseem Shah echoed similar sentiments, saying that the entire team deserved credit, but he singled out Fakhar’s hundred and Amir’s magical spell as defining moments in Pakistan’s emphatic 180-run victory.
“Not just one moment but the best moment is when you win, obviously. It’s quite an accomplishment for the team and there were many great memories,” he said.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was a budding cricketer at the time, recalled watching the final with his family while playing for Pakistan’s Under-19 team.
He described Amir’s fiery spell and Fakhar’s innings as his most memorable moments from the game, while also mentioning that good performances came from all around.
Abrar Ahmed kept it simple, pinpointing Fakhar’s century and Amir’s three wickets as his standout moments from the match.
How Pakistan sealed the win
Pakistan’s charge to 338 for 4 was anchored by Fakhar Zaman’s stunning century. His innings, however, almost ended prematurely when he edged Jasprit Bumrah behind to MS Dhoni on just three runs—only for the umpire to rule Bumrah had overstepped. That no-ball turned out to be the game’s biggest turning point.
Fakhar and Azhar Ali’s 128-run opening stand laid the foundation, while blistering knocks from Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez (57 off 37 balls) propelled Pakistan to an imposing total. The last 10 overs yielded 91 runs, setting a record target never before chased in an ICC final.
India’s chase got off to the worst possible start when Mohammad Amir produced a masterclass in swing bowling, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan inside the first nine overs. Kohli was given a brief reprieve when Azhar Ali dropped a straightforward chance at slip, but Amir struck again the very next ball, sending Kohli back as Shadab Khan took a sharp catch.
With India reeling at 33 for 3, experienced duo MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh were expected to steady the innings. However, an 18-year-old Shadab Khan trapped Yuvraj lbw, overturning the decision on review, before Dhoni fell hooking to the boundary.
Though Hardik Pandya threatened a fightback, smashing six sixes in his 76 off 43 balls, a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja led to a crucial run-out, dashing India’s hopes and sealing Pakistan’s emphatic triumph.
Pakistan, India set for crucial Champions Trophy clash
As the cricketing world braces for another Pakistan vs India showdown, Pakistan finds itself in a precarious situation. Following a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their tournament opener, Mohammad Rizwan’s men must produce a dramatic turnaround to keep their title defense alive.
Their challenge has been further compounded by the injury-enforced absence of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam’s recent criticism for lack of intent.
India, meanwhile, is brimming with confidence after a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Despite missing Jasprit Bumrah, their bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami, has been formidable. Their batting lineup looks well-equipped to take on Pakistan.
India has dominated this rivalry in recent years, winning seven of the last eight completed ODIs against Pakistan. However, history has shown that Pakistan’s unpredictability in major tournaments can never be ruled out, making Sunday’s clash a must-watch spectacle.
