How the eighth-ranked team, Pakistan, won its first Champions Trophy title still bewilders cricket aficionados as the nation celebrates five years of the victory on June 18 (today). Sarfraz’s captaincy, Mohammad Amir’s bowling, Fakhar Zaman’s ton in the final, and all-around performance led the team to claim their maiden trophy.

“I had told the team after getting defeated by India in the first match that hopefully, we would return to Pakistan wearing white coat [given to the players of the winning team],” Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led the side to the victory, said in a message on the fifth anniversary.

Pakistan had beaten archrivals India in the final by 180 runs, with a memorable first spell from Mohammad Amir and Fakhar Zaman’s ton. The green shirts, which are popular for their bowling attack, had outperformed the blues in batting as the former put a target of 338 for the latter in the final.

The Sarfaraz-led side had not the best start in the tournament as they lost the first match to India by a big margin of 124 runs, prompting the team to rethink its “attitude, strategy, and mindset”.

“Before the Oval match, we told players that we don’t have to take any pressure. Maybe I think as a captain my feeling in the final match was totally different from the final. I was confident and the team had the momentum,” Sarfaraz said while describing the team strategy.

‘Out and no ball’

Recalling the glory, the former skipper said that centurion Fakhar Zaman had dreamed that “he would get out and it would be a no-ball” and it happened.

“I think that Azhar Ali gave us a better momentum than Azhar Ali [who with Zaman made 128 runs opening partnership],” he said and praised batters for the performance.

“Mohammad Amir’s spell was brilliant and I think it’s very rare to see such spells,” the ex-skipper said and termed it a memorable event for the team. He also praised the former coach Mickey Arthur.

Sarfaraz said: “The efforts of players resulted in the trophy for the team.”

Some key moments that propelled Pakistan to Champions Trophy glory:

Fakhar Zaman caught by Dhoni for three - off a no-ball

Kohli fails to capitalise on a dropped catch on five

Pakistan made sure it did not turn out to be a costly mistake, though, as Amir dismissed him next ball.

Amir back in team after missing semi-final with back injury

His transformation into a hero was complete as his final tally was six overs, two maidens, 16 runs and three wickets.

After leaving India reeling on six for two following the dismissals of Sharma and Kohli, Amir’s figures read 1.4 overs, four runs, and two wickets.

Hardik Pandya run out for 76

He raised hopes for India as he hit three successive sixes to reach his half-century.

But just when it seemed that he was blazing towards a first international century, he was run out after a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja.

India lost their last four wickets for the addition of only six runs, which helped Pakistan win the Champions Trophy for the first time with a crushing 180-run victory over India.