2003

Last instance of Pakistan openers adding more than 100 for the first wicket in two consecutive matches. This is only the second instance outside Asia.</s>ISLAMABAD, June 19 (APP): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on

 Monday announced the Team of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, which

 includes players from five of the eight participating sides, with

 Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed as captain.

 The side was selected by a jury of cricket experts, which included

 former captains Michael Atherton of England, India’s Sourav Ganguly,

 Ramiz Raja of Pakistan as well as Lawrence Booth (Editor, Wisden

 Almanack and cricket writer, The Mail) and Julian Guyer (cricket

 correspondent, Agence France-Presse), with ICC General Manager –

 Cricket, Geoff Allardice, as chairman, said a statement issued by

 the ICC.

 The jury was tasked with picking a balanced side on the basis of

 performances in the tournament. Statistics were used, but were not

 the sole basis for selection.

 The side includes four Pakistanis, three Indians, three Englishmen

 and one Bangladeshi, with Kane Williamson of New Zealand as 12th

 man.

 The Team of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 (in batting order) is:

 i) Shikhar Dhawan (India) (338 runs)

 ii) Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) 252 runs)

 iii) Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh) (293 runs)

 iv) Virat Kohli (India) (258 runs)

 v) Joe Root (England) (258 runs)

 vi) Ben Stokes (England) (184 runs and three wickets)

 vii) Sarfraz Ahmed (Pakistan) (captain) (wicketkeeper) (76 runs and

 nine dismissals)

 viii) Adil Rashid (England) (seven wickets)

 ix) Junaid Khan (Pakistan) (eight wickets)

 x) Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India) (seven wickets)

 xi) Hassan Ali (Pakistan) (13 wickets)

 xii) Kane Williamson (New Zealand (12th) (244 runs)</s>ICC Champions Trophy 2017, India vs Pakistan: 5 player battles to look out for

Five players battles between India and Pakistan that will be intriguing to watch in the showpiece Champions trophy final.

India will lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 to be held at the Oval on Sunday. Recent history and records favour the defending champions in the final, but Pakistan's pacers can pose a threat to India’s famed batting line-up.

This is the 4th time India have reached the last hurdle of the tournament, and if they win, they will become the first team to clinch three Champions Trophy titles. For Pakistan, who lost to India in their tournament opener, this is the first entry into the finals of the coveted 50-overs tournament.

Extra cover: ICC Champions Trophy 2017, India vs Pakistan: X-factors for the final

Both the teams are in tremendous form and for fans living across the India-Pakistan border, the marquee match couldn’t have been more euphoric. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 5 key player battles from the closing game of Champions Trophy 2017:

While Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s excellent performances did not come as a huge surprise, since he performed well in the Indian Premier League as well, Fakhar Zaman was the package that took everyone by awe.

Zaman, a 27-year old opener who had not made his ODI debut before the Champions Trophy, has become the force Pakistan needed in their dull batting line-up. He has two consecutive half centuries in the last couple of games, and plays the short ball very well.

Although an attacking batsman, the left-hander is similar to Quinton de Kock in approach, whom Kumar had tamed at will. Not to forget, the pacer fancies bowling to left-handed batsmen, just ask Soumya Sarkar of Bangladesh.</s>ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Virat Kohli speaks about Ravichandran Ashwin's inclusion in the side

Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs in the final of the Champions Trophy.

The Indian cricket team were bruised and battered by the Pakistan cricket team in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 which was held at the Kennington Oval in London. The Green Army lifted the trophy for the first time and it was a completely one-sided final as they defeated India by 180 runs.

Virat Kohli addressed the media in the post-match press conference and spoke about a number of issues ranging from Hardik Pandya’s heartbreak to whether including Ravichandran Ashwin was the right decision.

“Every spinner has challenges on a flat deck. Even the wrist spinner could go for runs like Hardik proved against Shadab Khan,” he said backing Ashwin’s inclusion in the playing XI of the final.

“It becomes difficult, and when batsmen start slogging and getting away with it. There is only something a spinner can do. You need to understand if there is something which is not under not your control and you have to move on,” he concluded.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion in the playing XI was questioned by a few former cricketers such as Gautam Gambhir who felt that Umesh Yadav should have been preferred over the off-spinner.

He missed out in the playing XI for the Men in Blue in their first two matches of the tournament but made his way back into the side for the virtual quarter-final against South Africa. He performed well in the match picking up one wicket and not giving away too many runs. However, he gave away a lot of runs against Bangladesh in the semifinal as the Bangladeshi batsmen tore apart his bowling.

With the Oval pitch expected to bounce a lot, Ashwin’s inclusion was always a risky one. Unfortunately for team India, the move didn’t pay off and they sure missed the absence of an Umesh Yadav or a Mohammad Shami.

The Pakistan batsmen had a field day with the bat with a lot of luck on their side as well. The Indian bowlers started off well with Bumrah getting a quick breakthrough in the 4th over of the innings. Unfortunately, it was a no ball and the decision was reversed and to add salt to the wound, Fakhar Zaman went on to score a match-winning century.

In their response, the Indian batsmen crumbled with Mohammad Amir ripping through the top order. With India reeling at 72-6, Hardik led the revival with a magnificent knock of 76 in 43 balls. However, a mix up between Ravindra Jadeja and Pandya led to his dismissal. From there on, the Pakistani bowlers cleaned up the tail and eventually won the match.</s>Television advertising rates for Sunday’s ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final between India and Pakistan are 10 times the normal price, industry sources said, as millions of fans are expected to tune in for a clash that last time ranked among the six most-watched sporting events.

Pakistan, the lowest-ranked team at the Champions Trophy tournament, upset host and favourites England to set up a final with defending champions India, feeding a frenzy for a game that commands a fanatical following in the region and among its diaspora.

A 30-second spot during the final to be broadcast by Rupert Murdoch’s Star Sports is expected to cost nearly 10 million rupees ($155,267), far higher than the 1 million rupees that advertisers pay on average for most Indian shows, said a person involved in buying ads.

READ | Champions Trophy 2017: The men who have propelled India, Pakistan so far

Most of the TV spots for the final, to be played in London, were pre-booked with firms such as Nissan Motor, Intel Corp, Emirates, Chinese mobile maker Oppo and Indian tyre maker MRF signed up as commercial partners for the tournament.

Fewer than 10 percent of the slots are left for the final, a person in the sports broadcasting industry said.

Companies still wanting to air their ads will be paying a higher rate than those who pre-booked, said the person, who did not want to be named, citing business confidentiality.

“India v Pakistan Final... !!!!!!!! All TV execs around the world are now cracking a nice bottle open to celebrate,” tweeted former England captain Michael Vaughan.

India captain Virat Kohli is the only cricketer among the world’s 100 highest-paid sportsmen, ranking 89th with annual income of $22 million, according to a list compiled by Forbes.

Before the Champions Trophy, the last time India and Pakistan played a one-day international was during the 2015 World Cup. That game, won by India, was one of the top-six most viewed sporting events, along with the soccer World Cup final and Usain Bolt’s 100-metre sprint at the 2012 Olympic Games, the sports broadcasting industry source said.

“That was a league game, this is the final,” the person said. “You can expect this to be even bigger.”

India and Pakistan have already met during the tournament’s group stage, with India winning easily. More than 200 million people watched that game, according to Indian media, citing BARC India. For Sunday’s final, viewership is expected to be 30-40 percent higher.

Cricket between the neighbours and rivals has been limited because of their longstanding political problems.

They last played a bilateral series in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for two Twenty20 games and three one-day internationals.

It was their first series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, when Pakistani militants went on a killing spree that left 166 people dead in India’s financial capital. India has since refused to play Pakistan outside International Cricket Council events.

In disputed Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, the cricket tournament has already caused discord.

Residents of Indian Kashmir, many of whom support the Pakistani team, lit fire-crackers to celebrate Pakistan’s victory over Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament.

Later that night, residents in a village in south Kashmir accused Indian army soldiers of beating them and smashing their cars and windows to punish them for celebrating.</s>Inspired by a century from rookie Fakhar Zaman and a thrilling match-winning bursts of fast bowling from Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali, the men in green stormed to only their second ICC global 50-overs title. The margin of victory – by a massive 180 runs with just under 20 overs to spare – was as emphatic as it was surprising for a team who tested the skin on their teeth and the seats of their pants to the limits to get over the line. It was a win forged on a brilliant individual performances and marshalled by Sarfraz Ahmed’s superb captaincy but the green and white masses who stayed to celebrate when the final wicket fell in India’s reply will know it also relied on a huge slices of luck. Zaman’s brilliant innings to smash a fearless 114 so nearly did not happen when he was reprieved by a no ball from Jasprit Bumrah after being caught behind on three, in the fourth over. But taking his second chance he embarked on an electrified charge which wrenched the game back in Pakistan’s favour.

Considering it was only the 27-year-old’s fourth ODI, having been plucked from Pakistan league cricket by coach Mickey Arthur after impresssing at a talent spotting camp in Lahore earlier this year, it has been a rise as stunning as it seemed unlikely. Around his courageous smash and grab of 114 in 106 balls, Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez contributed half centuries as well as Pakistan climbed to an impressive-looking 338-4. And while a hugely powerful India line up still fancied their chances on a decent wicket, their confidence was left in ruins after a thrilling burst from Amir to rip the guts from the response. His opening five overs – the first nine in their reply – left India 33-3. Swinging the ball with searing accuracy he pinned Rohit Sharma lbw third ball, saw Virat Kohli dropped at slip in his second over before returning with his next delivery to get his man caught at point next ball.

And then he found the outside edge of Shikhar Dhawan. Another recruit from the Lahore camp, 18-year-old leg spinner Shadab Khan took two crucial wickets to leave India six down – the first demanding a review from his captain against Yuvraj Singh which saw a not out lbw decision overturned. And when Hardik Pandya’s blistering cameo (76 in 43 balls) ended when he was run out in Pakistani style with both him and Ravi Jadeja running for the same end, the turnaround seemed complete. Amir’s redemption from the match-fixing scandal of 2010 now seems complete, the turnaround from three months in prison in 2011 to yesterday’s hero sealed with his part in Pakistan’s first 50-overs trophy since Imran Khan’s Cornered Tigers in the World Cup 25 years ago. In October 2015, this Pakistan side only just made it into the tournament as one of the top eight teams in the world given just days after the cut off point they were beaten by Zimbabwe and slipped to ninth.

If turning things round since then has been impressive, to turn fortunes round since their opening match against yesterday’s rivals, when they were thrashed by India by 124 runs, has been even more so. Since that moment, they have gathered impressive momentum, beating Sri Lanka in their ‘quarter final’ when captain Sarfraz was twice dropped before steering them home and then thrashing England in the semi-final. After Fakhar’s escape yesterday it seemed their name was on the trophy. By the time Sarfraz took the final catch, off the bowling of the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Hasan Ali, who finished yesterday with 3-19 and the Champions Trophy with 13 wickets, there was barely an Indian fan to witness it. Unable to stand the celebrations, unable to believe it or a combination of both.</s>ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 best batsmen of the tournament

The tournament gave us some memorable knocks and reminded us again that Cricket is truly a batsman's game.

The 2017 Champions Trophy will go down in cricketing folklore as one of the most refreshing tournaments in recent history. With a number of favourites in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand bowing out in the group stage itself, the stage was set for India and England to make this tourney theirs.

However, what transpired between 14th and 18th June made everyone stand up and raise their hats for the Men in Green. The Pakistanis raised their game several notches in the knockout stage and outplayed first England and then India to win their maiden Champions Trophy.

However, one thing that the tournament promised even before it started was that this one was going to be a batsmen’s competition. And it did not disappoint. We saw several world class batsmen exhibit their prowess irrespective of the performance of their teams.

Moreover, along with the usual suspects, some new names like that of Fakhar Zaman made their presence felt. To expand on that, here are the five best batsmen of the tournament.

Except for the duck against New Zeland, Tamim Iqbal was the lone warrior for Bangladesh in many ways. 293 runs in four innings at 73.25 is by no means, a walk in the park. He was patient in the build up of all his innings and treated deliveries on merit.

Starting with a century against hosts England (128 off 142 balls), he helped the Bangla Tigers post 305 runs on the board. Then against Australia, Tamim, after weathering some early storm went on to score a well-deserved 95, more than half of his team’s total of 182.

His outing against the Kiwis was one off as he returned in the semi-final against India with eyes on another big score. However, after building up a 123 runs partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim, he fell to Kedar Jadhav on 70.

Tamim finished as the third highest run-scorer of the tournament.</s>New Delhi: Australian cricketing legend Adam Gilchrist on Monday credited Pakistan's adaptability and perseverance in the face of domestic challenges as key to their rout of favourites India in the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan, once a cricketing powerhouse, has watched its world ranking slide as top teams have refused to tour the conflict-prone country, forcing the home side to play all international matches abroad.

Only Zimbabwe have visited Pakistan since a 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore which prompted all other major teams to call off tours.

Pakistan entered the eight-team Champions Trophy in England and Wales ranked dead last, but upset arch-rivals India with a 180-run thrashing in Sunday's final.

"Deep in your heart, as a cricket lover, you can't be disappointed to see a nation like that (win). We all know their struggles of not getting any international cricket back home," Gilchrist told reporters in New Delhi.

"They are basically a nomadic team which plays abroad. Perhaps because of that, they were able to adjust well in those conditions."

It was Pakistan's first major international 50-over trophy since winning the 1992 World Cup.

Gilchrist compared their against-the-odds win to the West Indies' victory over England in the World Twenty20 final in 2016, despite troubles plaguing their cricket board at home.

"The only predictable thing about Pakistan cricket is that they are unpredictable," said the former wicketkeeper-batsman, adding the win was a "positive story" for cricket.

"Pakistan played what seems to be a perfect game of cricket. India, after a very impressive tournament, just got caught out on the big final day. That can happen."

For the latest updates from ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Click Here</s>Ashwin has played two matches in the Champions Trophy so far.

With less than 24 hours to go for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, the Men in Blue were dealt a blow as Ravichandran Ashwin injured his knee while practising for the crucial encounter.

As per reports from News 18, the extent of the injury is not known and there is no update yet about whether he will play in the final. However, renowned cricket journalist Jarrod Kimber tweeted saying that the injury looks “ok” and he has an ice pack on his knee.

Also Read: India vs Pakistan: Scientific Astrologer predicts an Indian win in the final

In case you didn’t know...

After sitting out for the entire Indian Premier League 2017 season, Ashwin was included in the squad for the Champions Trophy. However, he did not feature in the first two matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He was included in the playing XI for the match against South Africa and the decision paid dividends as Ashwin picked up one wicket and gave away only 43 runs in the 9 overs he bowled.

He played in the semifinal against Bangladesh as well but was not as successful as he did not pick up a single wicket and gave away 54 runs in 10 overs.

The team combination has been a big question for India throughout the Champions Trophy and there were questions raised when Ashwin was not included in the playing XI for the first two matches.

When he was eventually picked for the match against South Africa, there were further questions raised as to why Umesh Yadav was dropped from the side. A lot of people felt that Kedar Jadhav or Hardik Pandya should have taken the axe to accommodate Ashwin in the side.

The all important final between India and Pakistan will take place at the Oval in London on June 18.

Ashwin’s absence would be a big blow to the Indian cricket team as he would play an important role against Pakistan in the final. If he is ruled out of the match, we would most likely see Umesh take his place in the side with the rest of the playing XI remaining the same. However, with reports suggesting that he should be fine, the Indian cricket team fans should be able to breathe a sigh of relief.</s>Sunday will be a unique day in the sports history of India and Pakistan. While the cricket teams will battle in the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy at The Oval, the arch-rivals will also clash at the Olympic Park in a match of the FIH World Hockey League semi-finals.

But both cricket and hockey will be in their respective realms as focus and composure will be the key factors on Sunday as Pakistan eye their maiden Champions Trophy win and India their third.

This year’s Champions Trophy has seen several twists and turns. Three Asian teams making the last four of the tournament that brings the best eight ODI teams in the world is a huge statement of the sub-continent’s domination.

If defending champions India were one of the fancied sides, Pakistan’s amazing turnaround in the tournament has been an eye-opener. This is the first time India and Pakistan will clash in the Champions Trophy final, and in the circumstances, there will be no favourites.

Pakistan, who have never been in the final of a Champions Trophy, came in as the lowest ranked side. No one gave them a chance after India walloped them by 124 runs in their opening group B fixture in Birmingham on June 4.

But then calculations went haywire in both groups.

South Africa, the world’s No. 1 ODI team, former champions Australia and dark horses New Zealand failed to cross the group stage. Pakistan stunned favourites England by eight wickets in the semi-final at Cardiff and India blew away Bangladesh by nine wickets at Edgbaston to set up a dream final that is sending the ICC and the host broadcasters laughing all the way to the bank.

After being on the road to London from Birmingham on Friday, India were back at the nets on Saturday morning. Under a blazing sun, Virat Kohli’s men spent an intense three hours breaking sweat. A lot of that training was dominated by fitness drills.

Football plays a big role in training these days. In David Beckham’s country, the likes of Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya were practising set-pieces – banana kicks and putting the ball between two wickets (read goalposts).

The set-pieces will be significant in terms of the match on Sunday. Irrespective of the teams, both batsmen and bowlers will have to eschew flamboyance and build a pace that will be ensuring solidity throughout the 100 overs.

Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir is fit to play the Champions Trophy final. He is perfectly capable of the banana swing, although the white ball hasn’t swung much in UK.

But the reverse swing and cutters will come into play and Hasan Ali, Pakistan’s ‘bombshell’ seamer, will be the man that India’s top order needs to play well.

India are unlikely to change the playing XI that hammered South Africa and Bangladesh in back-to-back matches. With a taped right knee, there is slight doubt on Ravichandran Ashwin’s full fitness but India will need him against a team that has specialist left-handed batsmen. If Ashwin misses the final, pacer Umesh Yadav should be back.

Pakistan will be targeting India’s top three batsmen for sure. Although Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli have scored buckets of runs they will treat the Pakistan attack with respect. Early wickets will expose the middle order which has not been tested.

But Virat Kohli is nonchalant. “The middle order is waiting for an opportunity to strike and guys like Hardik Pandya can produce that match-winning performance on a big day,” said the skipper.

On hindsight, the IPL seems to have done a world of good to the Indian players. The entire team is used to playing pressure games and the squad looked in a comfort zone of another world final.

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said his players were “excited” for the final match and the mood in the dressing room is upbeat.

“The loss against India in Birmingham was an aberration. We have trained hard for this tournament and if we have beaten England, I am not surprised. The young team has no fear of losing and we are backing ourselves in the final,” said the South African with vast coaching experience.

India may be the form team but this Pakistan team is a galvanised lot under an intelligent captain Sarfraz Ahmed. The wicket-keeper batsman is unlike a boisterous Shahid Afridi and wants his team to do all the talking with its batting, bowling and fielding.
In cricket, Pakistan wins the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy Final defeating India by 180 runs.