The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is mired in uncertainty as the standoff between India and Pakistan over venue arrangements continues. India has expressed concerns over traveling to Pakistan, citing security issues, while Pakistan remains hesitant to accept a hybrid hosting model. This impasse has brought attention back to the storied history of India and Pakistan in the tournament, particularly their epic showdown in the 2017 final.
India and Pakistan’s Path to the 2017 Final
India entered the 2017 Champions Trophy as one of the favorites, dominating the group stage and marching confidently into the final. Pakistan, on the other hand, started as underdogs. After a crushing defeat to India in their opening match, Pakistan faced the threat of early elimination. However, they bounced back by defeating South Africa and Sri Lanka to secure a semi-final berth.
In the semi-final, Pakistan delivered a stunning upset, defeating tournament hosts and ODI powerhouses England by eight wickets. Despite this unexpected triumph, the final was expected to favor India due to their consistent performances and superior form.
A Final for the Ages
The much-anticipated final was held at The Oval, with India captain Virat Kohli electing to field first. Pakistan’s batting, which had struggled against India earlier in the tournament, came alive in spectacular fashion. Fakhar Zaman led the charge, smashing a brilliant 114 off 106 balls. He shared a 128-run opening stand with Azhar Ali, who scored a steady 59 from 71 balls.
Further contributions came from Babar Azam (46 off 52) and Shoaib Malik, who added a quick-fire 47-run partnership with Babar. The innings culminated in an explosive 71-run stand between Mohammad Hafeez (57* off 37) and Imad Wasim (25* off 21), propelling Pakistan to an imposing total of 338/4.
India’s Response and the Amir Masterclass
Despite the daunting target, India’s formidable top order—Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli—gave fans hope. However, Mohammad Amir dismantled the Indian batting lineup with a sensational opening spell.
Rohit Sharma: Out for a duck off the third ball.
Virat Kohli: Dismissed for five in Amir’s next over.
Shikhar Dhawan: Scored 21 off 22 before falling to Amir in the ninth over.
India was reduced to 33/3, and their once-reliable middle order was unable to steady the ship. Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, and Kedar Jadhav fell in quick succession, leaving India at 72/6 before the end of the 17th over.
Hardik Pandya’s Heroics
Amid the carnage, Hardik Pandya mounted a remarkable counter-attack. Partnering with Ravindra Jadeja, Pandya hammered a blistering 76 off 43 balls, including six sixes, during a 57-ball, 80-run stand for the seventh wicket. However, Pandya’s heroic innings ended in disappointment after a miscommunication with Jadeja led to his run-out, effectively ending India’s resistance.
India was bowled out for just 158 runs, handing Pakistan a commanding 180-run victory. Amir finished with exceptional figures of 3/16, while Hasan Ali claimed 3/19, sealing a historic win for Pakistan.
Legacy of the 2017 Final
The 2017 Champions Trophy final remains one of the most memorable matches in cricket history, symbolizing Pakistan’s resilience and ability to deliver on the big stage. For India, it was a stark reminder of cricket’s unpredictability, even for the strongest teams.
As the cricketing world awaits a resolution to the 2025 Champions Trophy venue dispute, memories of this unforgettable clash underscore the significance of India-Pakistan encounters in global tournaments.
