Going into the final as heavy underdogs after India had beaten them in the first game of the tournament, Pakistan took no notice of how things were supposed to unfold as they posted a commanding total of 338/4 after being in to bat. His opening spell of 6-2-16-3 broke the back of the run chase.
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“It sort of feels surreal really, to be honest”.
“We had some good, hard conversations [after that defeat], but we didn’t train anymore because we knew the base had been done”. Alongside a photo of the hockey team, the paper featured an image of Kidambi Srikanth, who won the Indonesia Superseries Premier badminton tournament earlier in the day.
It must be noted that the Indian cricket team has given us recognition across the world after we lifted the 1983 World Cup. He also confessed that Pakistan showed more enthusiasm than us.
“Victory in the final has its own significance, it has added to the confidence of the little-known players who performed superbly and has given a new identity to the team after losing to India”, they said.
If left-handed opener Fakhar rode his luck at times, he also produced an array of superb shots, notably in a first-wicket stand of 128 with Azhar Ali.
It was in the semifinals that the other Pakistan – inspired, brilliant, and unstoppable – emerged.
Pakistani cricket never has been famous for its strategy, organisation or cohesion.
The Times of India proclaimed: “The Unpredictables Rise Again”.
As for the final, then and now, the received wisdom was that only one team was cut out to cope with the big stage.
“So that’s fantastic. But the credit goes to the players”.
“I’m so excited Allah has answered our prayers”, said Nek Amal Khan, 42, a street vendor who was amongst thousands to throng the streets of the northwestern city of Peshawar.
“The stars aligned for Pakistan on a bright Sunday in South London when they cut their old rivals down to size to win their maiden Champions Trophy crown”, The News said.
Meanwhile, people on social media suddenly seemed to be interested in the long-forgotten sport hockey and congratulatory messages flooded the platform after the Indian hockey team defeated Pakistan by 7-1 at the World Hockey League semi-final. “Much like baseball, it’s about the pitching as much as it is about how many home runs you make”.
Fireworks and jubilatory volleys of gunfire echoed around major cities as traffic ground to a halt, and young men danced to the beat of drums following their team’s 180-run victory in the match at The Oval in London. That’s massive for the country.
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With Pakistan’s campaign on the rocks after that first-up defeat, Hasan’s three wickets ripped out South Africa’s middle order in that match, including one of the best balls a right-arm swing bowler could hope for to remove Wayne Parnell.
