IND vs PAK: Champions Trophy 2017 Flashback – What Happened When India Faced Pakistan in an Epic Final?

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IND vs PAK: As Pakistan prepares to take on India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, memories of their last face-off in the tournament still linger.

The archrivals last met in the grand finale of the 2017 edition, where Pakistan scripted an emphatic 180-run victory to lift its maiden ICC Champions Trophy.

That night at The Oval was nothing short of a nightmare for India, as Fakhar Zaman’s century and Mohammad Amir’s lethal spell delivered one of Pakistan’s most memorable wins in ICC history.

Zaman’s Lucky Break Turns into a Masterclass

Opting to bowl first, India seemed to have struck early when Jasprit Bumrah induced an edge from Fakhar Zaman, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball.

That lifeline proved costly as the left-hander made the most of his reprieve, forging a 129-run opening stand with Azhar Ali. Zaman’s fearless stroke play saw him reach his maiden international century, a scintillating 114 off 106 balls, before Hardik Pandya eventually sent him back.

Babar Azam’s composed 46 off 52 balls kept the momentum alive, while Mohammad Hafeez provided the late flourish with a quickfire 57 off 37 balls. Pakistan’s innings culminated at a daunting 338/4, leaving India with an uphill battle.

Amir’s Magic Rattles India’s Chase

In response, India needed a strong start, but Mohammad Amir had other plans. The left-arm pacer produced a dream spell, dismissing Rohit Sharma for a duck and getting Virat Kohli soon after. His next victim was Shikhar Dhawan, reducing India to a precarious 33/3.

The onus fell on India’s seasoned campaigners, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, to weather the storm, but Shadab Khan trapped Yuvraj lbw before removing Kedar Jadhav. Dhoni’s departure three balls later left India reeling at 72/6.

Pandya’s Lone Resistance Ends in Chaos

Hardik Pandya launched a counterattack, blasting a 43-ball 76, laced with six sixes and four boundaries. He added 80 runs with Ravindra Jadeja, offering India a sliver of hope. However, a disastrous mix-up between the wickets led to Pandya’s run-out, extinguishing any chances of a miraculous comeback.

India’s innings folded at 158, handing Pakistan a historic win. The victory not only gave Pakistan its first ICC title in eight years but also shattered India’s dominance over them in ICC events.