Pakistan hammer India to win Champions Trophy
Pakistan pulled off a huge upset as they beat defending champions and arch rivals India by 180 runs, to seal a maiden Champions Trophy title.
Opening batsman Fakhar Zaman led the way for Pakistan earlier in the day with an remarkable innings of 114, as they hit 338-4 from their 50 overs.
With the ball Mohammad Amir ripped into the usually reliable Indian top order by picking up the opening three wickets, it was an early blow that India would not recover from.
Coming into the tournament as the lowest ranked team and having been thrashed by India in their opening game, this title win is a truly remarkable feat for Pakistan.
After winning the toss Virat Kohli opted to bowl, and he would not of expected the onslaught that came from Pakistan top order. The opening pair of Azhar Ali and Fakhar put on 128 for the first wicket, with Azhar being run out for a patient 59.
Down at the other end Fakhar produced a brutal innings where he clubbed 3 sixes and 12 fours, and he finally departed for 114 in what was his maiden ODI century.
At 200-2 with just over 16 overs left Pakistan had designs on posting a huge total but India bowled well at the death and restricted them to 338-4.
Mohammad Hafeez 57 not out and Babar Azam 46 caught the eye late on and were backed up by Shoaib Malik 12 and an entertaining 25 not out from Imad Wasim.
In response India were blown apart early on with Amir removing Rohit Sharma with only the third ball of the innings. In his very next over Amir saw Kholi dropped at first slip, but he was then caught out at point with the next ball to leave India in a world of trouble at 6-2.
Amir kept causing the Indian top order issues and picked up the crucial wicket of Shikhar Dhawan, as the tournament top run scorer departed for 21.
Shadab Khan took a bit of punishment early into his spell but he picked up the wicket of Yuvraj Singh for lbw after a successful appeal.
There was no let up from the Pakistan bowling attached and the tournament’s leading wicket taker removed the the experienced MS Dohni for just 4 runs as India fell to 54-5.
Shadab got his second of the game removing Kedar Jadhav for 9 and the spinner finished up the game with 2-60 from his 7 overs.
All rounder Hardik Pandya produced some fireworks for India late on with a thrilling 76 from only 43 balls, but he was run out to finally kill off any chance of an Indian comeback.
Junaid Khan picked up his only wicket of the final by removing Ravi Jadeja for 15 as the opening seamer ended up with 1-20 from his 6 overs.
Hasan picked up the final two wickets of the game as the player of the tournament wrapped up the contest and completed his spell with 3-19.
Some people doubted if Pakistan had enough runs on the board but the variance in their bowling attack was all too much for India who for once crumbled on the big stage.
The victory is an incredible achievement for Pakistan who have bounced back from continual issues on and off the pitch to pull of the biggest shock in One Day International history.