Internet Desk: Pakistan beat arch-rivals India comprehensively by 180 runs to win the ICC Champions Trophy at the Oval on Sunday. After winning the all important match against India Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed dedicated the prestigious Trophy to the nation and said the win will be remembered for long a time, “This is a great achievement for the team, and hopefully it will be remembered for a long time to come. The credit goes to the team management who worked really hard after the first defeat and also the boys who worked hard on the field,” Sarfraz said in the post-match conference.
The Pakistan skipper also said this win would make sure the return of international cricket on their soil, “Hopefully this win can boost Pakistan cricket and soon all the international teams can come to Pakistan to play cricket,”
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur lauded the character of his team for showing their class to bounce back from the defeat by their arch-rivals, “The credit goes to the 15 players who have been brilliant and the coaching staff which has done a fantastic job(with the team).”
“Our plan for today was to get through the Indian top order, which was something we managed to do. Their (India) middle order hand’t batted so much,”said Arthur, explaining the team’s strategy for the big game.
He was in all praise for Pakistan pace spearhead Mohammed Amir, calling him a big match player “Amir is a big match player, when games are on the line he puts his hands up. The bigger the game, more egged up he gets. He has shown that he has big match temperament.”
Arthur dedicated the victory to Pakistani fans, “It’s massive for them. The nation of Pakistan deserves it for what they have been through. They don’t get to see live international cricket.”
According to the gaffer his the team didn’t change anything after the first game, “We had some good honest conversation. It was about standing up and taking responsiblity for the players. We had prepared really well and we knew the calibre of the players we have in this team. We didn’t play anywhere close to our ability in the first game. We trusted our ability, trusted our roles, trusted our game plans. Certain youngsters came into the setup and they were fantastic,”
Sarfraz also praised his young teammates and said that PSL have brought them into the lime lights. “Our youngsters are good and committed, they deserve credit for playing their first ICC tournament. We told them to play the same way as they do in domestic circuit – to see the ball and hit it – and it proved to be effective.”
PSL has shown talent – the likes of Shadab and Zakham are two big examples. It’s also expanding now and more teams are coming. I hope international teams support Pakistan cricket and send their teams to Pakistan,”