The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Triumph for all of Pakistan Sarfraz hopes win can be game-changer for country
Sarfraz Ahmed is hoping Pakistan’s surprise victory in the Champions Trophy final can be a gamechanger for his country’s cricket future.
A maiden hundred from novice international opener Fakhar Zaman and then Mohammad Amir’s superlative new-ball spell of three for 16 proved way too much for hot favourites India, defeated by 180 runs at the Oval.
Fakhar (114) shared a stand of 128 with Azhar Ali (59), before Mohammad Hafeez (57 not out) took over to power Pakistan to 338 for four – and then Amir blew away India’s stellar top order as the reply folded to 158 all out, despite some memorable hitting from Hardik Pandya (76 from 43 balls).
It capped an improbable campaign from Pakistan, who began the tournament ranked below all other seven competing nations and did nothing to disprove that lowly standing with a crushing defeat at the hands of India in their first group match.
Since then, however, they have been transformed – and Sarfraz pines for longstanding consequences on and off the pitch.
“I hope everyone will remember this win, not toScotland great Paul Hoffmann has called on cricket's global officials to waste no time in creating a European League if the Scots continue to be denied top competition.
Hoffmann spoke out after watching Scotland lose in the second one-day international against Zimbabwe at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, on Saturday – two days after they had created history by beating the day, not tomorrow (but for a) long time,” he said.
“My team management worked really hard after the first defeat. They motivated us and it passed on to my boys.”
Pakistan can dare to tourists to grab their first Test nation scalp in an ODI.
The encounter also featured Hoffmann's induction to the Cricket Scotland Hall of Fame. Sadly, it marked the end of Scotland's big-stage season – even before mid summer.
Hoffmann said: “It must be very frustrating for this squad to be deprived of the type of fixtures that I was able to play a decade ago. dream of returning to England to win the World Cup in 2019 but, more important even than that, is a future which sees international tours returning to their country for the first time since the deadly terror attack in Lahore during Sri Lanka’s 2009 visit.
Sarfraz added: “When we arrived here, we were number eight (in the world) and now we are the champions.
“I hope this win will boost up Pakistan cricket, and all playing nations (will come) to Pakistan.”
Beaten India captain Virat Kohli, one of Amir’s three pedigree victims,
“This group is right up there with the squad we had around 2004-2005, but how can Scotland maintain momentum and improve when their international summer has finished?
“I would like to imagine there would be a chance Scotland could rejoin a domestic competition in England, whether it's the Twenty20 Blast or the One Day Cup. But do the ECB want Scotland involved said: “They made us make those mistakes with the way they were bowling, creating that pressure.”
India were first rocked by Fakhar, who became ever more convincing after escaping a runout chance on one and then being caughtbehind off a no-ball on three.
“When players like that get going on their day, it becomes really difficult to stop them because I think 80% of his shots were highrisk – and they were all coming off,” said Kohli.
“As a captain when that is happening you have to say ‘the guy is good enough on the day’.” and would it be financially viable?
“If that is not an option, then the ICC should be responsible for arranging more fixtures for Scotland.
“I'd like to see Scotland play Ireland and Holland more often in an official European League. Something has to be done. This team has a lot of ability and potential. It would be sad to see it go to waste.”
Half centuries by skipper
SCOREBOARD
Coetzer and Calum MacLeod should have been the foundation for a challenging home total. However, visiting captain Graeme Cremer wrought havoc with a spell of five for 29. Chris Sole gave the Scots fresh hope by breaking through three times as Zimbabwe slid to 44 for three.
Sikander Raza (58 not out) and Ryan Burl (30 not out) guided them to glory.