On 18th June 2017, Pakistan scored a famous, joyous and monumental victory. Meeting India in the final of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan made a mockery of their underdog billing to win by 180 runs. Pakistan, showing inspiration and the roaring ambition, turned the tables on their opponents through a marvellous performance in a gripping encounter, fought in an excellent spirit and holding the attention of the fans throughout, around the globe. It was a high-octane and thrilling contest. Pakistan literally took the wind out of India sails. The triumph was unprecedented glory.
Having benefited from an early slice of luck, when Fakhar Zaman was caught behind off a no-ball, Pakistan did not look back till they had whizzed past the finish line in style. Zaman, playing his fourth ODI, led the charge with a free-spirited, brutal and spell-binding maiden hundred that laid the platform for a total of 338. The score was Pakistan’s second-highest against India. Then Mohammad Amir took over, ripping out India’s vaunted top three in a searing and incisive opening spell. This was Pakistan at their best, and even a dazzling 76 by Hardik Pandya could not spoil their party. Throughout the tournament, Pakistan had proved that their bowling was their stronger suit with the skill and guile of players like Amir, Hassan Ali, Junaid Khan and Imad Wasim. Thanks to a calculated bowling attack, India could muster up just 158 runs and lost all their wickets by the 31st over.
Under captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmad, Pakistan not only defied logic but also broke the Indian hoodoo in the International Cricket Council events after a long time. Pakistan thrashed India to lift the coveted 2017 trophy at Kennington Oval. This was Pakistan’s first ICC title since winning the 2009 World Twenty20 in similarly incomprehensible manner, and first in the 50-over format since Imran Khan lifted the World Cup on a starry Melbourne night in 1992. Cricket has undergone various rule-changes in order to spice up the action. There have been modifications to the Power Plays, to the number of bouncers allowed per over, you name it. But while all this is important, nothing provides greater spice than the quality of cricket, the closeness of battle, the ups and downs that stem from teams fighting it out on an equal footing. At the end of the day, one wants to witness a contest, not a one-sided passage of play with one team steamrolling the other. That’s exactly what 2017 tournament provided — plenty of thrills and spills, and a team bouncing back from no-hopers to making a strong case for top honours!
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