London: It finally happened and the law of averages caught up with the Men in Blue. An inspired Pakistan hammered a listless India by 180 runs to lift their maiden ICC Champions Trophy, riding on a scintillating hundred from rookie opener Fakhar Zaman (114, 106b, 12×4) and a sensational bowling spell from Mohammad Aamir (3/16).
It was bound to happen someday or the other and India, in a sense were unlucky that it happened in the final of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan were dominant from the start and never for a moment did it look like, India would regain the title. The first crime came from the bowlers as they bowled 13 wide balls and three no balls. Sixteen extra deliveries in any 50-over game is like handing the match to the opponent in a platter and Pakistan were not ready to let go of such an opportunity.
Yes, Zaman’s pyrotechnics at the top of the order propelled Pakistan to 338 for four. However, this win wouldn’t have been possible without Aamir’s spell. He bowled six overs and during those he got rid of the top trio of Rohit Sharma (0), Shikhar Dhawan (21) and Virat Kohli (5). The match was as good as over for India by the end of the ninth over when they were batting. The rest of the innings was a mere formality.
Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary opener always says that the true calibre of a batsman can be measured ‘jab ball hilta hai (when the ball moves). On a docile pitch Aamir extracted pace and movement and sounded the death knell. He out thought all the three he dismissed and the made the rest an easy job for his teammates. The writing on the wall was then only crystal clear.
For a team that can’t play international cricket at home due to security issues, the victory has far- reaching implications. If Zaman announced his arrival in international cricket with a match-defining knock, Pakistan cricket’s ‘enfant terrible’ Aamir finally managed to sing a redemption song that he has been longing for.
It was a match where everything went awry for the ‘Men in Blue’ from the time Kohli went out for the toss. On a flat deck, Kohli surprised everyone opting to field, a decision prompted by the current team’s ability to chase any target.
It started on a wrong note when a beautiful delivery from Jasprit Bumrah was nicked by an edgy Zaman only to be called no-ball due to overstepping. Zaman scored a ton. The two spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (0/70 in 10) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/67 in 8) were then taken to the task with not a single wicket-taking delivery being bowled by the duo.
Hardik Pandya (76, 43b, 4×4, 6×6) showed some defiance before being run out. But he was only delaying the inevitable.
