Fans’ Moment of the Year - Pakistan stun India to win the ICC Champions Trophy
Those who were there will never forget it. The most intense rivalry in sport found the perfect setting at The Oval, London’s rich community of Pakistani and Indian ex-pats turning the ground into seas of green and blue.
A successful tournament deserved a grand finale. The pre-match talk centred around whether Pakistan’s superb pace attack could possibly overcome India’s formidable top order. But the world would have to wait for Mohammad Amir versus Virat Kohli; for India won the toss and chose to field, banking on some early movement with the white ball.
Showpiece occasions always throw up unexpected heroes, and in Fakhar Zaman, a bolter who was only brought into the team after Pakistan’s opening defeat, the match had its perfect story.
Opening the innings, Zaman rode his luck at times, edging a Jasprit Bumrah delivery in the fourth over, only to be reprieved by a no-ball call, but he earned his fortune by playing with dash and daring in partnership with Azhar Ali. The pair put on 128 for the first wicket, and the foundation was laid for a chaotic second-half of their innings. After Zaman freewheeled to a maiden international century, Mohammad Hafeez took over, crashing a 37-ball 57* to ice the innings and take Pakistan up to 338/4.
Such is the majesty of India’s batting line-up, however, that the target seemed eminently reachable. Step forward Mohammad Amir. The Oval has seen many great spells of fast bowling but few as complete as this. After pinning Rohit Sharma for nought in the first over, he then claimed the prized scalp of Kohli with a brute of a ball that climbed and took the leading edge. A delirious crowd, chanting Amir’s name, propelled him on again, and in the ninth over India’s chase was effectively over when Shikhar Dhawan, the leading run-scorer in the tournament, gloved another pearler to the keeper.
Pakistan began the tournament in disarray and finished it in glory. They saved their finest for last, giving the watching millions around the world a vision of Pakistani cricket at its raw, thrilling, charismatic best.
Last year was one of unforgettable moments. England Women winning the ICC Women’s World Cup at a packed Lord’s; Ireland and Afghanistan’s stunning development being rewarded with Full Member Test status; The Netherlands qualifying for the new ICC World Cricket League Championship. But for all the many memorable feats and stories from cricket in 2017, nothing beats those boys in green, turning the world upside-down yet again.