‘When we defeat India indescribable spirit’: Sarfaraz Ahmed relaying 2017 Champions Trophy Final | – The Times of India

Sarfaraz AhmedFormer Pakistan captain who led the team ICC Champions Trophy Vijay in 2017 shares his memories of how the team recovered from a difficult start and was prepared for the final against India.
Pakistan won a significant win over India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final at Oval, defending 339 runs, winning by 180 runs. The victory marked Pakistan’s third major White-Ball Cricket title, which was after his 1992 World Cup and 2009 T20 World Cup win.
In the history of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan took advantage of India 3–2, unlike its records in other ICC tournaments, where India dominates.
Pakistan’s 2017 campaign began with a loss of 124 runs for India. India’s strong performance was led Rohit Sharma91, 68 of Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli81 runs.
Sarfaraz highlighted the importance of senior players Shoaib Malik And to help the Mohammed Hafze team re -organize, the current team needs similar guidance.
“Later (after the defeat to India in group stage), we had a great team meeting, and some of our senior people – Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafze – all said their pieces. The mentality from that day.
After the initial loss, Pakistan’s fate improved, winning against South Africa, Sri Lanka and England N.
The team’s reform was aided by the newcomer Fakhar ZamanStarting against South Africa, while bowlers Junaid Khan and Rumman RS provided the ability to take important wickets.
“We played England in the semi -finals and our bowlers were just fantastic. Then, it was India in the final. I was confident that our level was very high and my message was to rest for the players before the final.”
In the final against India, Pakistan was seen dominating with Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Amir scored Mohammad Amir, ending India’s top order.
“We knew that we had defeated some of the best teams, so India was nothing that we had not seen. I asked people to relax, forget the result and just give 100 percent.”
“The rest is history. When the last wicket went down and we won, it is impossible to describe that feeling in words. When I took the last catch, I was in the street. And I just went away. I saw Shoaib Malik. And ran away. In his arms, I jumped into it and hugged him.
Pakistan will launch its Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, followed by a match against India in Dubai on 23 February.
Eight teams are divided into two groups in the tournament. The teams will play three group-phase matches to advance to the semi-finals from each group with top two teams of each group.
Group A includes Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia and South Africa.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad has included Mohammad Rizwan as captains, as well as players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi as well as others.
Pakistan’s program includes matches against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, India in Dubai on 23 February and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on 27 February.