Generally since I started avidly following cricket in December 1996, I have watched every single major cricket cup final and today - Sunday 18th June, 2017 is no different. I'm uncertain as to why England chose The Oval as the place for the final though, I would've thought Lord's cricket ground would've been the sure bet. Possibly there's the reason buried in an article somewhere on the internet or on ESPN Cricinfo.
India wins toss and opts to field first. Good choice for chasers? Maybe, quite literally time will tell. Mohammed Amir is back to play for Pakistan. Good signs so far for Pakistan.
Pakistan - overs one to ten (56/0)
Pakistani openers Azhar and Fakhar survived early jitters and mistakes by India. Over 3.1 - Bumrah bowls a no-ball and Fakhar lives to bat on for a while. Imagine, Pakistan could've been 7/1. Not to mention the edges missing fielders, missed run-out opportunities. Gosh, the nerves from the players. Over 7.5 - Azhar runs down the wicket to Ashwin and smacks a six, didn't seem that convincing that it would make it over the boundary. But nevertheless the first six of the innings and the match (sign of things to come?).
Pakistani innings - Overs 11 - 20 (114/0)
Over 10.3 - Classy shot of the day, straight drive from Fakhar off of Bumrah for four runs. Possibly the first sure shot of the day. Beautiful. Intriguingly there has been very little purchase (turn) for the Indian spinners thus far. This is possibly the first sign that India made a mistake in bowling first. The Pakistani spinners are likely to get more spin in the second innings on a slightly worn pitch.
Over 14.6 - Cut shot in the air by Azhar, phew good thing that missed all the fielders. Quite a few times in the tournament, those shots have gone to hand. In the sixteenth over Jadeja came on to bowl for the first time, and this may be the acid test for the Pakistani batting.
Over 16.4 - very shaky airy shot by Azhar and this lands out of the reach of the cover fielder. Why are the nerves still there? Thoughts - this may be the easiest blog post that I've ever done so far, as it literally writes itself. I wonder how this will turn out a piece when it's all said and done? First record down, this is the best opening stand by Pakistan vs India in ICC tournaments. Previous best was a lowly 84. More good omens for a Pakistan win?
Over 17.6 - Excellent use of the feet from Fakhar to smack a boundary from Jadeja into the mid-wicket boundary, those dancing shoes as Danny Morrison would say. 100 up after 18 overs, surprising signs so far.
Over 19.5 - First fifty of the game from Azhar - well done sir. Good going so far by Pakistan.
Over 20 - Another sloppy mistake by an Indian fielder, and donates four runs to the Pakistani cause and fifty to Fakhar, sounds like an essay I would write so far. Intriguing times. Quiet and even innings so far, 58 runs in this 10 over block.
A shout-out to the magnificent spell of 5 overs for ten runs from Kumar. Stands alone in poor bowling from everyone else.
Pakistani innings - Overs 21 - 30 (179/1)
Over 22.6 - Ah yes, Azhar gets run out in an atrocious bit of calling for a run between the wickets. And this, of course stupidly happens the ball after a close run-out opportunity the previous ball. Partnership broken at 128, stuff to make your blood pressure rise in anger. Boy, is Azhar vex or what! Opens up the game for India to get a sniff to smother the Pakistani batting. Come-on, only uphill from here!
Over 25.1 - Brilliant six by Fakhar off of Jadeja, what a shot! Down the pitch and hits is extremely well over Long - on into the crowd. Positive start to the second wicket partnership. In just his fourth international match for Pakistan, he's playing like a seasoned cricketer. Over 26 - 16 glorious runs off of Jadeja, biggest over of the innings. Keeping up that run rate.
Over 26.2 - Magnificent six by Fakhar off of Ashwin over the Long-off boundary, not the most eye-catching purest technique of sixes, but once it lands over the boundary, who cares? How long can Fakhar last for? Over 27 - 17 runs off of the over from Ashwin, gosh, when did this become a Twenty 20 match? 33 runs in two overs, ridiculous, but I love it.
65 runs off of these last ten overs, a very middling result, considering there was 33 runs off of two over, meaning there was 32 off of 8 overs, strange times. As we move into the last twenty overs, the general accepted method is to multiply the score by 2 to get the final 50 over score. Current projected score - an amazing 358, how close can Pakistan get to that?
Pakistani innings - Overs 31 - 40 (247/3)
Over 30.1 - sweep shot for four by Fakhar, and a brilliant and sensational maiden one day international hundred, not entirely chance-less, but memorable for Fakhar, in an ICC final, stepping up to perform!
Over 32.1 - smashed six by Fakhar off of Ashwin over the mid-wicket boundary, very assured shot, he's getting more and more comfortable with his innings, Babar has to get a move on, 10 from 21 is pitiful start to his innings.
Over 32.5 - 200 up for Pakistan! Who would've thought this would've happened at this stage? Who?
Over 33.1 - Heartbreak for Fakhar, swirling shot in the air in the point region and he has to walk back after an awesome century, couldn't he have gone on for more? What next for Pakistan? Brilliant running catch by Jadeja though, appreciated by the massive Indian contingent at The Oval.
Over 36.4 - good use of his feet and good six by Malik off of Jadeja - Jadeja has sure been expensive today - 7 overs for 57 runs, unusual for him. 27 runs from 3.5 overs partnership so far, good recovery from the loss of Fakhar who was doing the bulk of the scoring. Babar had 13 (26) before his acceleration, he has scored 26 from 16 balls since, he has done well in taking over from Fakhar in keeping the run-rate up.
Over 39.4 - oh Malik, what have you done? What stupidity? What insanity? Why did you think a falling away swish of a shot over covers to be a good idea? And off Malik goes with an unfulfilled innings of 12. Kumar bags a wicket to leave his figures at a scarcely unbelievable 6 overs 1 for 11.
Another okay-ish ten over section of the innings, 68 runs, not the kind of acceleration that I would've hoped for.
Pakistani innings - Overs 41 - 50 (338-4)
Over 42.3 - Oye vey, OYE VEY! Babar falls trying for a bit shot which ends up as a skier to Long-off. Not finishing well at all, 31/2 from the last five. Pakistan might struggle to finish over 300 if they're not careful. And why is Imad in the wicket? Why is Safraz hiding himself? I thought Safraz is a better striker of the ball than Imad?
Over 44.2 - straight hit by Hafeez for six from Jadhav, jusssssssssssst over a leaping Pandya on the boundary. Heart-stopping stuff.
Over 44.4 - straight hit by Imad for six from Jadhav, prove me wrong that it made sense for your captain to send you out to bat.
Over 45.2 - special six over the mid-wicket boundary by Hafeez from Kumar, just like Ricky Ponting in his prime. Wonderful stuff.
Four overs to go, they sky is the limit for Pakistan. Advantage Pakistan so far. Getting up there with a score that is match winnable. 329/6 has been Pakistan's highest score that they have made against India in their entire history and won.
Over 48.2 - As brilliantly described by ESPN Cricinfo's commentary, Bumrah to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, round the wicket, brilliant yorker from Bumrah, through Hafeez off bat and pad, into the stumps... but the bails stay on! That has smashed into the base of off stump, the bail jumped - although didn't light up - then landed back in its groove!
Over 49.3 - A tennis smash for six by Hafeez from Kumar, straight down the ground, wonderful! Intriguingly if he left if, it would've been wide.
91 runs from the last ten overs, perfect end to the innings, manic 57 from 37 balls by Hafeez, the question now, is it enough?
An innings littered with 27 fours and studded with 9 sixes, an innings that promised to be so much more, but 159 runs from the last 20 overs of the innings ended it well enough.
Indian will have to chase the highest ever score to win against Pakistan, the highest ever score to win at The Oval in England. Promising signs for Pakistan to win the trophy.
Indian innings - Overs 1 - 10 (47/3)
Over 0.3 - Wicket! Amir got Rohit! L.B.W.! Spectacular start to the innings. Excitement in the air!
Over 2.3 - a regulation outside edge dropped at first slip by Azhar, boy is Amir mad. Hope he doesn't regret that drop. Horrible form, and looked silly dropping it.
Over 2.4 - redemption time for Amir! A leading outside edge snaffled by Shadab at point. Amazing start! Pakistan can breathe again, silence in the ground. Kohli is out and Pakistan is two steps closer to a win!
Over 8.6 - Amir again! Dawan caught behind! Seven more to go, countdown is on! Great final so far. Yes. Of course I am biased towards Pakistan for this blog post.
An extremely poor over from Hafeez conceding 13 runs to end the first ten overs block. Still open for either team, this may go all the way down to the fiftieth over. Fingers crossed it doesn't.
Indian innings - Overs 11 - 20 (93/6)
Over 12.6 - Shadab strikes! First time a wrist spinner comes on to bowl for the game and he gets a wicket the very first over he bowled. Thank goodness Safraz was inspired to take the review! Interesting twist for Yuvraj to be out at this stage.
Over 13.3 - Dhoni plays a weak pull shot off of Hasan and is caught half-way to the mid-wicket boundary! Five wickets out! Looks closer and closer to be Pakistan's game in the bag! 54/5 (13.3) Required run rate of 7.80, looks out of reach at this stage, 285 runs left.
Over 16.6 - Straight up in the air by Jadhav, and caught by Safraz who shooed away all the other fielders! Another wicket for Shadab! Nearly there Pakistan! So very close! The emotion on those faces!
Over 18.3 - First six of the innings from Pandya, worth a mention at this point.
46 runs and three wickets, India struggling for dear life at the 20 over mark. When will it end?
Indian innings - Overs 21 - 30 (158/9)
Over 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 - Three sixes by Pandya from Shadab, last gasp attempt for normality by India? Clean hitting, and brings up a fast half century, 54 from 32 overs. What a stand alone innings. 23 runs from the 23rd over, biggest over of the match, impressive stuff.
Over 26 - Dear god, is Hardik Pandya doing it all by himself? 76 from 43 balls, 4 fours and 6 sixes!
Over 26.3 - Bad mix-up and Pandya is run-out! Wow! Look at how vex he is, must be cursing all the way off the field. He's fuming all the way off the field.
Over 27.3 - Short, wide, edged, and out goes Jadeja, 2 more wickets, only a matter of time now! I'm excited, can't you tell?
Over 28.1 - Wicket!!!!! Yessss!!! One more to go. Ashwin caught behind. So very close now.
65 runs, 3 wickets again, Pakistan is teasing this game out for the crowds and the viewers.
Indian innings - Overs 31 - 40
Over 30.3 - Pakistan has won!
To be ranked eighth in the world and win a world tournament? That's the gloriously spectacular unpredictability of the Pakistani cricket team! A wonderful end to a slightly rain marred tournament, and a great advertisement for cricket on the whole.
Congratulations to Team Pakistan!
You have a future career updating the Cricbuzz live scores! Well done! :)
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