DEFINING MOMENTS
While the much-hyped clash between the two traditional rivals failed to live up to the billing, there were still moments that kept the fans enthralled. Here’s a look at them...
THE AMIRROHIT DUEL
Fireworks were expected when Mohammad Amir bowled to Rohit Sharma, considering the history between them. Amir had got the better of the two previously. After beating Rohit in the first over, the Pakistan pacer said a few words. Although Rohit looked annoyed and replied, he didn’t let emotions overwhelm him as he calmly saw off the Pak seamer and laid a strong platform with Shikhar Dhawan.
BUTTER FINGERS
Pakistan’s fielding is bad but on Sunday, it was particularly poor. When Yuvraj Singh was on eight, Shadab Khan deceived him with a wrong ’un but Hasan Ali spilled him at long off. The drop proved costly as Yuvraj went on to score a 32-ball 53. The Pakistanis also dropped Virat Kohli on 44 at square leg. The India skipper went on to score an unbeaten 81. The duo added 93 in less than 10 overs and took them close to the 300-run mark.
THE BREAKDOWNS
Ace Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, who was the pick of the bowlers and gave away runs at only 3.91 an over, suffered cramps towards the end and had to leave the field. Pakistan fell off after that, conceding 72 runs in the last four overs. Wahab Riaz, although most expensive of the lot, too broke down forcing captain Sarfraz to give spinner Imad Wasim the final over. Imad conceded 23 (including three sixes) in that over.
RAIN BREAK
Intermittent showers didn’t let the game progress smoothly. After two stoppages during Indian innings, rain returned in Pakistan innings early and from 324 in 48 overs (6.75 an over), their target was moved to 289 in 41 overs (just over 7 an over). After a slow start, the pressure built up as Babar Azam, in search of quick runs perished early after Ahmad Shahzad too was out early.
JADEJA’S ARM
Shoaib Malik had won Pakistan the Champions Trophy match against India back in 2009 at Centurion with a hundred. When he walked in, Pak hoped for an encore. He began aggressively against Jadeja the bowler but underestimated him as a fielder. As he tried a single, Jadeja shocked him with a direct throw that hit the stumps.