The Pakistan cricket team’s manager Talat Ali has credited former India players Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar for his side’s win over their arch-rivals in the Champions Trophy final in June.
India were favourites to win the Champions Trophy final held in June in England. However, they were outclassed by Pakistan in an emphatic manner, lifting the trophy by handing Virat Kohli’s men a 180-run defeat.
Gavaskar and Shastri, who were both commentators during the tournament, played a part in Pakistan’s victory by painting India as heavy favourites in their pre-match analysis, Ali told Cricbuzz.
“India wrote us off in the final,” he was quoted as saying. “I was listening to the analysis of Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri and they gave us no chance. That fired up the boys. It was called a no-contest and we were written off. We said let the bat and ball do the talking.”
Pakistan went into the bat first with opener Fakhar Zaman smashing 114 to take Pakistan to 338. It was then the heroics of Mohammad Amir who dismissed Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and captain Virat Kohli early to ensure victory for Pakistan.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!