Fakhar, Amir sparkle as Pakistan stun India
- Pakistan stun India by 180 runs
- Fakhar makes brilliant 114
- Amir rips out India top order
LONDON: Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Amir shone as Pakistan defied the odds to overwhelm arch-rivals India by 180 runs and pull off a major upset in the Champions Trophy final at The Oval on Sunday.
Fakhar capitalised on a lucky escape to strike a superb 114 and lift Pakistan to a commanding total of 338 for four and fast bowler Amir ripped out India's top three batsmen before the defending champions subsided to 158 all out.
Pakistan had come into the tournament as the lowest-ranked team and lost heavily to India in their opening group match but they beat South Africa and Sri Lanka to make the semi-finals where they knocked out hosts England.
"Fakhar is a great impact player, he played like a champion batsman today," Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said at the presentation ceremony.
"Amir bowled brilliantly today but all my bowlers bowled really well. We have a young team and credit to my boys."
Pandya, however, briefly raised their spirits with a quickfire 76, reaching his fifty with three successive sixes off Shadab and hitting six maximums in all before he was run out.
Jadeja nicked Junaid Khan to slip for 15, Hasan had Ashwin caught by Sarfraz and Hasan forced Bumrah to lob another catch to the wicketkeeper, who pouched it gleefully to complete Pakistan's first Champions Trophy win with 19.3 overs to spare.
"Early wickets are never good, especially in a chase. We thought one big partnership would have set it up nicely," Kohli said.
"Pakistan had to earn their win and they made us make mistakes. We have no hesitation or shame to admit we didn't play our best game today."
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