Pakistan: From Outsider To Champion

Pakistan put behind the caning it received against India in Edgbaston. And on June 18, it left The Oval with the ICC Champions Trophy after posting a stunning victory over India, a result even the most ardent of Pakistan supporters would not have predicted at the start of the tournament. It was a triumph of talent, persistence and belief.

- Shreedutta Chidananda

It was the sort of script only Pakistan could have written.Only two weeks ago, it was being caned at Edgbaston, with Mickey Arthur, the Pakistan coach, calling the result a ‘reality check’ of the side’s situation in one-day cricket. But on June 18, it left The Oval with the ICC Champions Trophy after posting a stunning victory over India, a result even the most ardent of Pakistan supporters would not have predicted at the start of the tournament. It was a triumph of talent, persistence and belief.

“This win will be remembered not just today or tomorrow but for a long, long time. Now, nobody can talk that we have not beaten India in the World Cup or a major tournament like that. When we arrived, we were No. 8 in the world. Now, we’re champions. Hopefully this will boost Pakistan cricket. Hopefully all countries will now visit Pakistan,” Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan skipper, said later.

Pakistan did what teams should ideally do in a final: bat first and post a big total. In ordinary circumstances, 338 is a big total. In a final, it is worth far more, for the pressure of chasing on such an occasion cannot be underestimated.

FAKHAR ZAMAN BATTED with absolute liberty, hitting through the line, swinging his bat at everything within reach, unafraid of the consequences. That approach paid off, as India, having reprieved him once, struggled for ideas in the field while the opening partnership grew.