Pak issue postage on Champions Trophy win
MUMBAI: The postal service of Pakistan has issued stamps in honour of their victory at the ICC Champions Trophy in June and has made them available across the country.
Priced at PKR 5 and PKR10, there are two sets of pictures on the stamps.
While one has members of the Pakistan team celebrating after winning the 50-over tournament, the other set includes just the trophy along with flags of the eight participating teams.
The victory in England was Pakistan’s biggest feat in ODIS since 1992 when Imran Khan led them to their only World Cup victory.
Even then, stamps had been issued to celebrate the win.
It was a terrific win, given that the team was far from being touted as favourites. Prior to the tournament, they had been crushed 1-4 by England and Australia respectively and had only managed to register series wins over West Indies (3-0) and Ireland (a 1-0 win in a two-match series).
Such was their run of form that they were on the verge of losing direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup. However, with the victory, they managed to dodge it.
Being only one of seven teams to take part in every edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan also had the dubious record, along with England, of never having won the coveted title. They had come close thrice — in 2000, 2004 and 2009 — but got knocked out in the semi-final stage each time.
The victory was even more special as they beat India in the final at The Oval in London on June 18.
Ranked a lowly No.8 back then, Pakistan put up an inspired show in the final with Fakhar Zaman scoring a timely century to help them reach 338.
In reply, India were bundled out for just 158. The 180run victory was also the biggest margin by which Pakistan had ever beaten India in an ODI.