Pakistan crush India to win first Champions Trophy title

Pakistan have won the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time after thoroughly defeating arch rivals India by 180 runs in the final played at the Oval in England on Sunday. Batting first, Pakistan made the highest score in the tournament, 338-4, powered by 114 from opener and Man-of-the-Match Fakhar Zaman.

Zaman shared in a 128 run opening stand with Azhar Ali who contributed 59, while Mohammed Hafeez added a quick-fired 57 not out to ensure the Pakistanis ended strongly.

India then started shakily in their reply, losing in-form opener Rohit Sharma without a run on the board off the bowling of Mohammad Amir who continued to wreak havoc after dismissing India’s captain and tallisman Virat Kohli for just 5.

Wickets fell regularly thereafter, as India were eventually dismissed for just 158 with Amir claiming 3-16. Hasan Ali, who was named Player-of-the-Tournament, also got 3-19, while spinner Shadab Khan ended with figures of 2-60.