What makes this victory all the more remarkable is that Pakistan very nearly didn't qualify for the Champions Trophy. It was between them and West Indies and the latter was the one to miss out on the basis of a lower ranking. Having qualified, Pakistan looked down and out against Sri Lanka in the group game and at 160 odd for 7 chasing 235. Sarfraz and Amir believed it wasn't over and they got them over the line. One hurdle crossed and since then it has been a breeze. Up against the best batting line-up in the world? No problem. Pakistan's bowling attack cut Kohli, Rohit and Co. down to size and the game was virtually over when India lost their Big Three.
After getting smacked by India in recent years, this win has turned the tables. Will strengthen the argument for bilateral cricket. Thanks for joining us today. There's plenty of reading material coming up on this match in these pages. Goodbye!
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Updates
Sarfaraz joins the rest of the guys as they get hold of the trophy and celebrate. The sing "Dil dil Pakistan" by the Pakistani band Vital Signs, plays on the loudspeaker. Confetti everywhere. They do a lap of honour around The Oval. The last time Pakistan won a world tournament was in 2009, also in England. They squared the Test series here last year. Note to self for every captain - never underestimate Pakistan in England.
The Pakistan players get their white coats. Sarfraz will have a chat.
Sarfraz: "After the India match, I told the boys the tournament is not over. Zaman is a great impact player. All credit goes to my bowlers. This is a very young team. Big boost for us. When we arrived here we wanted to play like we have nothing to lose."
Virat Kohli gets a mix of cheers and boos: "Pakistan really turned things around, speaks so much of their talent. I'm smiling because of how far my team has come. You can't take anyone lightly. We don't take anyone lightly. Sometimes the opposition does better than you and you have to stand there and say 'very well played'. The pitch was consistent. We will take this on the chin and move on."
Fakhar Zaman is the Man of the match
Hassan Ali wins the Golden Ball award for being the leading wicket taker
Hassan Ali is also the Player of the Tournament
Arthur, Pak coach: "The group kept believing. To dust ourselves and come back is a remarkable achievement. We have a group of young players who are fantastic. We have two years till 2019 World Cup, work with the guys really hard for two years.
Azhar Mahmood : "Hassan is a young guy with a remarkable heart. Zaman is a brilliant guy up the order."
Imad: "Unbelievable. Thanks to the people who supported us. After the first game we were down and out. They wrote us off. This is not an upset. Overall fantastic captaincy by the skipper.
Malik : "Back home I'm sure the roads are blocked, people will be dancing even though it is Ramadan. We were not nervous. As a senior player, the younger players will look up to you."
Hafeez: Great team effort. We were in a knockout scenario. Pakistan as a nation was waiting for this for a very long time. We were aiming to go for 300 plus. Zaman and Azhar gave us a great start.
Amir : "We needed a start that. I was looking for early wickets. This was a team effort. The win against South Africa gave us momentum. No cricket at home for 9 years so we really wanted to win this for the country."
Sarfraz takes the final catch and Pakistan win the 2017 Champions Trophy! Short ball from Hassan, too quick for Bumrah who couldn't fend it off properly in front of his face, lobs up and the captain takes the catch
The entire team gets together after the wicket, and does the sajda.
Bumrah c Sarfraz b Hassan 1
30 overs: India 158/9. Target 339
Very nearly ended at 29.5 as Bumrah made room and miscued a lofted shot, three fielders chasing but the ball evades them.
29 overs: India 156/9. Target 339
The ship sinks furher. Ashwin's bad day couldn't get worse as he edges Hassan to the keeper. Outside off, not much room to drive, could have left it and there was a thin edge.
Ashwin c Sarfraz b Hassan 1
28 overs: India 156/8. Target 339
After that Shadab mauling, Sarfraz brings back Junaid to replace him and he gets a wicket immediately. Smart move getting a slip in, Jadeja sees width, he slashes, not convincing and first slip takes a sharp catch
Jadeja c Babar b Junaid 15
27 overs: India 154/7. Target 339
Anyone in the vicinity of Hardik Pandya, I'd caution you to stay away, because he's livid after being run out! Oh the frustration! Jadeja dabbed the ball towards cover and Pandya had set off for a quick single seeing that the ball was placed just wide of the fielder, both batsmen were ball-watching, Jadeja set off and quickly went back, Pandya was already near Jadeja, easy run out for Pakistan.
Hardik Pandya run out 76 (43 balls)
26 overs: India 152/6. Target 339
Pandya's IPL grooming on display here. He hasn't given up! Zaman's friendly tossed up left-arm spin is being punished. Pandya gets on his knee and slogs one to deep midwicket, then then he repeats that and sends it to the second tier. Sarfraz quickly goes to Hassan for some pace.
25 overs: India 137/6. Target 339
Good cricket from Jadeja and Hardik, pushing for the quick singles. These two have already added 65 in 8 overs, with Pandya doing the bulk of the scoring. They need 202 from the remaining 25.
24 overs: India 134/6. Target 339
Pakistan are continuing with their spinners, Zaman bowling his left-arm spin. Plenty of singles available. The required rate is inching towards 8 now.
23 overs: India 128/6. Target 339
Meanwhile we are seeing some pressure-free hitting from Hardik. And he has has raced to a fifty off just 32 balls. He races there with three consecutive sixes off Shadab, down to long-on, down the ground and to long-on again. He wasn't done yet as he smashed the fifth ball for a four down to deep cover. More such hits and things could really get interesting.
19 overs: India 89/6. Target 339
Indian fans don't despair. There is some good news somewhere in the middle of this wreckage, except that it is in London after all and not at The Oval. The Indian hockey team has beaten Pakistan 7-1 at Hockey World League semifinal. If that made you feel any better.
Back at the ranch, Pandya has helped himself to some boundaries, upper cutting Hassan and launching a straight six over the second tier
17 overs: India 72/6. Target 339
Another one bites the dust! It's Jadhav and Shadab gets him, and you would have to say this was a strange shot. Spinning away from him, outside off, he tried to pull against the turn and gets a top edge and Sarfraz runs forward and does the honours. Jadhav should have cut that.
Jadhav c Sarfraz b Shadab 9
16 overs: India 67/5. Target 339
Jadhav ends what looked like a quiet over with a delightful whip off his pads for four to deep midwicket. Hassan Ali the bowler.
14 overs: India 55/5. Target 339
The attrition rate at The Oval is increasing! Now MS Dhoni joins the procession. The fielder was placed at deep square leg for the pull, Dhoni accepted the bait in the form of the short ball and hr hit it straight to Imad who was fielding well in front of the rope, ran forward and took the catch on the fall
MS Dhoni c Imad Wasim b Hasan Ali 4
13 overs: India 54/4. Target 339
Shadab Khan the legspinner comes on and straightaway picks up a wicket and this time Yuvraj goes! Smart review by the bowler. Yuvraj was forward to defend, the ball struck pad first, pitched in line. Umpire may have reckoned it hit the bat first, Shadab reviewed it immediately. In line, hitting the wickets and it was pad first. The ball before, Yuvraj was beaten off a googly
Yuvraj lbw b Shadab 22
12 overs: India 50/3. Target 339
Amir gets a sixth over in his spell. Hafeez is taken off after his horror of a first over. Back to pace again and it's Hassan Ali, the other man in form. Not very encouraging news to Yuvraj and Dhoni! Yuvraj plays him down to deep midwicket and a good stop there.
10 overs: India 47/3. Target 339
Hafeez replaces Junaid and the introduction of offspin is welcomed by Yuvraj who eases three fours down to mid-on, long-on and extra cover
9 overs: India 33/3. Target 339
India have lost their top (Big) three and all thanks to one man - Amir! Now Dhawan has to go, he was prodding forward at a ball that was not exactly wide but the ball hit the top of the bat and Sarfraz did the rest. It was a cross seam delivery from Amir that maybe bounced a bit more than Dhawan expected.
Dhawan c Sarfraz b Amir 21
8 overs: India 31/2. Target 339
Dhawan is in such good form that any hint of width is spanked and with not much effort. Junaid being made to pay by bowling it wide, Dhawan slaps the first wide of cover, then cuts wide of point who dives. Yuvraj is beaten coming forward. Pakistan will look to get Dhawan quickly and have a go at the middle order that hasn't been tested much
7 overs: India 22/2. Target 339
Another very tight over by Amir. Gives little away to Yuvraj who does well to defend but no room to score. The fielders are alert and the body language among the fielders is positive.
6 overs: India 21/2. Target 339
A short one from Junaid is hooked by Yuvraj over the keeper. Junaid comes back well with a beauty that beats the outside edge, no foot movement from Yuvraj.
5 overs: India 16/2. Target 339
Junaid bowls a maiden to Yuvraj. Not much room to play anything. India finally have something to smile about the following over as Dhawan pulls a short ball from Amir and then drives a slower ball to deep cover for boundaries. A slash past point is a bit streaky as it was in the air.
3 overs: India 7/2. Target 339
It's all happening at The Oval and India are stunned as Virat Kohli too goes early! Amir had the misfortune of seeing Kohli dropped at first slip by Azhar Ali - a regulation catch. What does he do next? Gets him off the following ball and it's a leading edge to point and to say they were would be an understatement. India, in trouble with two form batsmen back in the tin shed.
2 overs: India 4/1. Target 339
Junaid bowls from the other end. Keeps it tight, doesn't give Dhawan much room, a short one is pulled first bounce to fine leg.
1 over: India 2/1. Target 339
Mohammad Amir has got the Big Fish Rohit Sharma in the first over! An lbw and the umpire was convinced early. Appeared to pitch on leg, held its line and hit him in line. There was no doubt it was hitting the stumps so the only doubt was where it pitched. Rohit thought long and hard about reviewing it, had a chat with Dhawan but time had lapsed so Rohit had to accept his fate. Virat, practically opening the innings, was squared up by a beauty that beat the bat. Pushes the ball to mid-off where the fielder does brilliantly to stop it
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Bhuvneshwar bowls the yorkers well at the start. Hafeez tries the dab to third man but chops it back to the bowler. Then hits an extraordinary straight six when he wasn't even in control. Hafeez gets a single off the 4th ball and he's frustrated to be off strike. Bouncer to Wasim who swings and misses. The last ball is a single to deep cover so Pakistan finish with 338.
49 overs: Pakistan 329/4:
Not sure if the flicks and reverse flicks are working for Pakistan. Wasim moved really far across to flick the ball to fine leg but the ball just rolled to the off side. Is this Hafeez's lucky day? Bumrah round the wicket and bowls a yorker, the ball hits the bat, pads and rolls back to the stumps but the bails do not budge! Waist high full toss to Wasim and the ball is slapped towards the deep, it's a free hit. The free hit ball is clipped to deep midwicket for two. There is another free hit on offer as Bumrah oversteps this time. But the bowler bowls an excellent slower ball that foxes Wasim. 11 off the over
48 overs: Pakistan 318/4:
Hafeez was looking to play the reverse sweep off Bhuvneshwar Kumar but he changes his shot and chops it to the off side. Bhuvneshwar does well to just concede singles. Hafeez chases a wide one and chops it down so again a single. India won't mind this at all. Then Wasim tries a reverse pull/hook whatever you call it and it deflects off his helmet. Ends the over with a dot. Just 5 off the over, gold dust at this stage
47 overs: Pakistan 313/4:
Bumrah started off well with his yorkers. Then he errs with his length and Wasim gets under the bounce and lofts him for a four down the ground. Eight off the over. Three to go. Can Pakistan somehow make it to 350?
46 overs: Pakistan 305/4:
Pakistan bring up their 300 with a statement! Short of a good length by Bhuvneshwar and he is pulled a few rows back over square leg for a six. Very nearly conceded a four to deep point but a good stop in the deep keeps it to just 2.
45 overs: Pakistan 294/4:
Another big over for Pakistan. Hafeez bursts Jadhav's bubble by giving the charge and launching him over long-on, just enough to clear Hardik. Then Wasim joins the fun and lofts a straight six downtown to the sight screen.
44 overs: Pakistan 278/4:
Bumrah returns and he's punished for a slight error in line, drifting on the pads and the ball races past the practice pitches. Eight off that over.
43 overs: Pakistan 270/4:
Jadhav gets the breakthrough! Why wasn't he in earlier? A shortish ball and Babar looks to loft it over the off side for a six but ends up chipping it to wide long-off for an easy catch. Imad walks in. Still no Sarfraz. That's surprising.
Babar c Yuvraj b Jadhav 46
42 overs: Pakistan 266/3:
Bhuvneshwar bowls a length ball and Hafeez clubs it over midwicket for a four.
41 overs: Pakistan 257/3:
The start of the final ten doesn't begin too well for India as Hafeez comes down the pitch and lofts to long-off and then sweeps him to fine leg. Jadeja's been costly today.
40 overs: Pakistan 247/3:
Bhuvneshwar's back. The change does the trick. He bowls a short one to Malik and he plays a flat-batted swat down to deep point, mistimed it. The previous ball was a fuller length that beat the drive. Good tricks by the bowler. Surprisingly Hafeez walks in instead of Sarfraz. Just the one run and wicket.
Malik c Jadhav b Kumar 12
39 overs: Pakistan 246/2:
Jadhav, the impact bowler from the semifinal, finally comes on. Bowls a bit too short but placed to the fielders so singles on offer. Since he is bowling them short the batsmen may not want to charge him and risk a stumping. Two wides down the leg side. Malik has a half tracker outside off but he ends up chopping it straight to point.
38 overs: Pakistan 239/2:
The boundaries continue. Pandya drops it short and wide and Babar carves it easily to deep point. Drifts on the body and Babar picks the big gap at long leg. Ends with a bouncer and 12 off this over.
37 overs: Pakistan 227/2:
New man in Malik swaps his spikes for dancing shoes straightaway as he comes down the track to Jadeja and launches a flat six over wide long-off. A run off every ball so 11 off that over by Jadeja.
36 overs: Pakistan 216/2:
Pandya starts off with the bouncer which Babar fails to put away. But Pandya bowls a friendlier length later in the over and Babar easily pulls him over midwicket. No blue shirts there so a boundary it is.
35 overs: Pakistan 208/2:
Interestingly Kohli brings Bumrah in a bit earlier than expected. Babar gets a full toss freebie on the pads and he whips it to long leg for a four. More attacking field on the off side. Seven off the over.
34 overs: Pakistan 202/2:
Persisting with Pandya has paid of because they have finally got rid of Zaman! Excellent catch by Jadeja running backwards from point, there were two fielders going for it, Zaman tried to smash that just about anywhere after clearing his front leg, miscued. Very impressive and fearless knock ends. Will this slow down the run rate? We have entered the tricky phase where wickets can go down in the 30-40th over period. India have done well to pick up wickets.
Zaman c Jadeja b Pandya 114
33 overs: Pakistan 200/1:
Take cover! Luckily the car meant for the Player of the Series was spared because Zaman's slog cleared it. Over the wicket, on his knee and the ball nearly lands on the second tier. Poor day at work (so far) for Ashwin - 10-0-70-0
32 overs: Pakistan 191/1:
Pandya continues and Zaman tries to pull him in front of square and on two occasions he mistimes the shot. Babar then pulls towards deep midwicket and it's a tester for Dhawan as the ball gathers speed over the practice wickets but he does well to slide and cut it off
31 overs: Pakistan 186/1:
He needed four and and he gets there in one stroke! Zaman had to really stretch forward off Ashwin and he swept that down to deep square leg and yet managed to beat the fielder running across - placement and power. He jumps, removes the helmet, gets down on the pitch and does the sajda . First ODI century for Zaman and what an occasion! Then lofts down to deep cover and there's a fumble.
30 overs: Pakistan 179/1:
Nervy moment for Babar as one ball from Pandya seams and skids through and beats the outside edge. After three dots he gets off strike with a chop to third man and that brings up the fifty stand, mostly Zaman of course. Zaman back on strike and he's four away from a century.
29 overs: Pakistan 176/1:
Kohli's continuing with Ashwin. Babar's on strike and he tries to push it into the gaps but finds the fielders. Ashwin bowls a much better over and only a single off it.
28 overs: Pakistan 175/1:
Zaman continues to shower boundaries. This time off Pandya, a bouncer hooked off his glove clearing Dhoni. Babar pulls the bowler and nearly beats that gap at the deep but Dhawan does well to cut it off. Rare forward defense to end the over.
27 overs: Pakistan 167/1:
If you're a spinner bowling to Zaman, then good luck to you. Ashwin this time bearing the brunt as Zaman gives charge and lofts a flat six down the ground. He didn't even look in control of the shot and yet it carried. He then forces the ball to the off side and the fielder does well to dive and cut it off. There's still room to squeeze in the boundary as Zaman gets an outside edge past short third man, The fielder dives and cannot cut it off. 33 off the last two overs. Jadhav anyone?
26 overs: Pakistan 150/1:
Heads up! Zaman gives Jadeja the charge and lofts him down the ground several rows back. How clean was that! He wasn't done with Jadeja yet - the last ball of the over he chips down the wicket again and lofts inside out over extra cover for a four.
25 overs: Pakistan 134/1:
Zaman gives Ashwin the charge and looks to loft him straight and he manages to place it to deep midwicket. They hurry through to complete the run.
23 overs: Pakistan 128/1:
Zaman is willing to shuffle all the way across to the next practice wicket when he faces Jadeja. He wants to cut against the spin and he hits it straight to point. They steal a quick single and Zaman does well to put in the dive quickly and get home before Yuvraj's direct hit. However, there is a terrible mixup the following ball that costs Azhar's wicket. Azhar works it to midwicket and sets off and Zaman was ball watching. Zaman doesn't try to head across to sacrifice his wicket and the throw is to the batsman's end and a very easy run out. India finally have their breakthrough and it comes in the form of a gift, all wrapped.
Azhar Ali run out 59
22 overs: Pakistan 125/0:
Jadeja's making the mistake by giving too much width to Azhar who's happy to cut it away. Finds the fence at backward point and the following ball is steered past short third man. Zaman is making room to cut against the turn.
20 overs: Pakistan 114/0: Incredibly the last time Pakistan openers added over a 100 on two consecutive innings was way back in 2003, v New Zealand. Meanwhile, Jadeja gives Zaman too much width and he's cut behind point for four; then Azhar brings up his fifty with a single and Zaman brings up his half-century with another cut for four and this time he has the fielder to thank for the misfield.
19 overs: Pakistan 103/0: Pandya beats Zaman outside the off stump as he looks to poke it away. Jadeja stops the ball at point and hits the stumps at the striker's end but the batsman is safe.
18 overs: Pakistan 100/0: Zaman gives Jadeja the charge and chips him over wide mid-on and the ball beats the fielder in the deep. Pakistan bring up the century stand. This is a different performance from what we've seen against India .
17 overs: Pakistan 93/0: Almost a chance at cover but Azhar was lucky he placed it in the gap. He was going for the big hit down the ground and it was a miscue off Hardik.
16 overs: Pakistan 90/0: An excellent bit of fielding by Hardik in the deep on the on side limits it to a single. Zaman had hit that hard enough. Flat throw
15th over: (Pak. 86 for loss): Hardik Pandya into the attack. Appeal for LBW, no review this time also as Dhoni says height may be an issue. Zaman takes a single. Over ends with a boundary.
14th over: (Pak.78 for no loss): Ashwin continues. Zaman takes a single. Azhar takes a single. Fakhar takes a single after two dot balls.
13th over: (Pak. 74 for no loss): Bumrah continues. From 11 to 40 overs, both these teams have bowled well. Bumrah bowls a wide this time. He is too many extras today. That no-ball changed the course of this game. Both these batsmen are playing to their strengths now. A single to Azhar Ali. Seven wides so far in this innings.
12th over: (Pak. 69 for no loss): Ashwin continues. His two overs cost him 18 runs. Fakhar takes a single. Azhar takes a single now. It is boundary to end the over.
11th over: (Pak. 63 for no loss): Bumrah switches ends. gives a single off the first ball. Another missed opportunity, it is Rohit Sharma now. Azhar Ali heaves a sigh of relief. Beautiful shot from Zaman and it is a boundary. What a shot from Fakhar Zaman. Virat Kohli is worried man now as his prime bowler is proving to be expensive. appeals for LBW and Dhoni says the ball is hit on the thigh and there is no review. Excellent comeback from Bumrah.
10th over: (Pak. 56 for no loss): Eight runs from Ashwin over.
9th over: (Pak. 48 for no loss): Kumar continues. A good bouncer to start with. Zaman plays the second ball straight to mid-off. Controlled bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Kumar is controlling things in this over.
8th over: (Pak. 48 for no loss): Ashwin into the attack. Good two balls from Ashwin. What will be strategy for Ashwin to Zaman. another wide. Zaman takes a single now. Beautiful shot from Azhar Ali for the first six of the innings. What a shot. Jumps outside the wicket and lifts it over long-off for a six.
7th over: (Pak. 38 for no loss) : Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues. Fakhar scores a single. Azhar Ali now plays with confidence now. Virat Kohli shies at the stumps, misses. The Indian bowlers are not giving any room to Fakhar Zaman.
6th over: (Pak. 36 for no loss): Bumrah continues, Azhar Ali edges the first ball for a boundary over slips. A wild swish and misses. Another wide from Bumrah. Another good shot and it is another boundary. Bumrah is proving to be expensive after that no-ball wicket.
5th over: (Pak. 27 for no loss): Bhuvneshwar continues. Fakhar Zaman is the batsman, chips the first straight to the cover fielder. tries to pull but gets a hit on the helmet and the ball races to the boundary. It's a leg-byes. Fakhar Zaman smashes the next ball through the mid-wicket for a boundary. Excellent shot.
4th over: (Pak. 19 for no loss): Bumrah strikes early wicket by removing in-form Fakhar Zaman. Umpires are checking for no-ball and it is a no-ball Oh!! no at a crucial time. Bumrah oversteps and Fakhar Zaman heaves a sigh of relief. Fakhar is living dangerously there. Fakhar hits a boundary with an inside edge. The Pakistan batsmen are rotating the strike well. What a shot from Azhar Ali, beautiful shot for a boundary. Expensive over from Bumrah.
3rd over: (Pak. 7 for no loss): Kumar continues. Azhar edges past the slip cordon for a single. Oh No! Kedar just misses the stumps. A close shave for Fakhar Zaman. Good fielding from Hardik Pandya. Another good over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
2nd over: (Pak. 3 for no loss): Bumrah into the attack, half-hearted appeal from Bumrah. good delivery to start with. Fakhar Zaman is the batsman. Pakistan opens their account with a wide. Fakhar scores a single. Azhar scores a single. Good bowling from Bumrah.
1st over: (Pak 0 for no loss ) Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts the proceedings for India. Good first over so far. The Indian fielding has improved a lot in the recent times with youngsters like Jadeja, Pandya rising to the occasion. Starts with a maiden.
Indian players are in a huddle and the Pakistan openers are out at the middle. The two on-field umpires for this game are M Erasmus and RA Kettleborough.
All set for the national anthems of both the nations.
Sarfraz Ahmed said "We would also have bowled first. I am proud of my boys. Amir is fine and is fit to play in the finals."
Virat Kohli and Sarfraz Ahmed are ready for the toss. David Boon is the match referee. India won the toss and elected to bowl first. "We are used to this before. It's a good wicket and will be good throughout the match, " Indian captain Virat Kohli said. No change in the Indian team.
The playing XI
India
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, M.S. Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah.
Pakistan
Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amit, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan.
All set for the toss for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 finals. Interesting finals on the cards.... Average first innings score in the last six games at The Oval is 267.
India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy final: India will look to deliver knockout blow
>> India has dominated Pakistan in ICC ODI events: 6-0 in the World Cup, 2-2 in the Champions Trophy
Why can't India and Pakistan play bilateral cricket, again?
>> The rivals have faced off in an ICCC ODI tournament final. But India did beat Pakistan to win the World Championship of Cricket in 1985.
>> India shared the Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002 and beat England in the 2013 final.
