‘Indescribable feeling once we beat India’: Sarfaraz Ahmed relives 2017 Champions Trophy last | – The Instances of India

Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan’s former captain who led the staff to ICC Champions Trophy victory in 2017, shared his recollections of how the staff recovered from a tough begin and ready for the ultimate in opposition to India.
Pakistan achieved a major victory over India within the 2017 Champions Trophy last at The Oval, successful by 180 runs whereas defending 339 runs. This victory marked Pakistan’s third main white-ball cricket title, following their 1992 World Cup and 2009 T20 World Cup wins.
In Champions Trophy historical past, Pakistan maintain a 3-2 benefit over India, in contrast to their file in different ICC tournaments the place India dominates.
Pakistan’s 2017 marketing campaign started with a devastating 124-run loss to India. India’s sturdy efficiency was led by Rohit Sharma’s 91, Shikhar Dhawan’s 68, and Virat Kohli’s 81 runs.
Sarfaraz highlighted the significance of senior gamers like Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez in serving to the staff regroup, suggesting the present staff wants related steering.
“Afterwards (following defeat to India within the group stage), we had an important staff assembly, and a few of our senior guys – Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez – all mentioned their piece. You want these sorts of characters round you. We modified our mindset from that day. The acrimony was excellent for us, we made a few adjustments to the staff and it helped our confidence,” mentioned the previous captain as quoted by ICC.
Pakistan’s fortunes improved after the preliminary loss, securing victories in opposition to South Africa, Sri Lanka, and England en path to the finals.
The staff’s enchancment was aided by newcomer Fakhar Zaman’s debut in opposition to South Africa, whereas bowlers Junaid Khan and Rumman Raees offered essential wicket-taking skills.
“We performed England within the semi-finals and our bowlers had been simply excellent. Then, it was India within the last. I used to be simply assured our stage was very excessive and my message to the gamers forward of the ultimate was to calm down.”
The ultimate in opposition to India noticed Pakistan dominate with Fakhar Zaman scoring a century and Mohammad Amir dismantling India’s prime order.
“We knew we had overwhelmed among the greatest groups, so India was nothing we had not seen. I informed the fellows to calm down, overlook the outcome and simply give 100 per cent.”
“The remainder is historical past. When the final wicket went down and we received, it’s inconceivable to explain that feeling in phrases. After I took the final catch, I used to be on the gully. And I simply ran. I noticed Shoaib Malik and bumped into his arms, I jumped into him and hugged him. The entire staff then joined in. It was indescribable.”
Pakistan will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 marketing campaign in opposition to New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi, adopted by a match in opposition to India on February 23 in Dubai.
The event options eight groups divided into two teams. Groups will play three group-stage matches every, with the highest two groups from every group advancing to semi-finals.
Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, whereas Group B contains Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad contains Mohammad Rizwan as captain, together with gamers like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Shaheen Shah Afridi amongst others.
Pakistan’s schedule contains matches in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, India in Dubai on February 23, and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.