Summary Pakistan managed to score 338 in the allotted overs for the loss of four wickets
LONDON (AFP) – On a fresh wicket with some grass covering on it, India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to field against arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of Champions Trophy at The Oval on Sunday.
Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman opened the innings for Pakistan, and made a cautious start. Luck also favored the Green Shirts when Jasprit Burmrah took the wicket of Fakhar Zaman, but it was a no-ball.
Pakistan reached their fifty in the tenth over with the help of four boundaries by Azhar, and two by Zaman. Azhar Ali also hit a colossal six off R Ashwin.
At the end of 15 overs, Pakistan scored 86/0 at the run rate of 5.73, with Azhar Ali not out on 40 off 46 balls (5x4 1x6), and Fakhar Zaman unbeatable on 33 off 45 balls (4x4 0x6).
Fakhar Zaman decided to cut loose in the twentieth over as he thumped two boundaries in Jadeja’s over as both the openers reached to their fifties in the same over. A total of 11 runs came in the twentieth over.
Pakistan were in a commanding position after twenty overs were bowled as it becomes the highest opening partnership for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan were 114 for the loss of no wicket after twenty overs.
It was in twenty third over when Pakistan lost their wicket as a result of misunderstanding between Azhar and Fakhar. Azhar Ali got run out after he scored a good innings of 59 runs of 71 balls. In the next over, Fakhar once again decided to cut loose as he thumped Ashwin for a six and a boundary in the twenty seventh over.
A total of 33 runs came in two overs straight after the twenty fifth over.
Fakhar Zaman reached to his magnificent hundred in thirty first over as he became the only Pakistani batsman in Champions Trophy 2017 to score a hundred. It’s the first time Pakistan is playing the final of Champions Trophy.
Pakistan were 186 for the loss of one wicket after 31 overs.
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