 "Sarfaraz Ahmed recalls Pakistan's historic victory in 2017 Champions Trophy: 'India was nothing we had not seen'")
Pakistan are all set to host the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy . Ahead of the marquee event, former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed recalled the team’s unforgettable 2017 victory, where they defeated arch-rivals India in the final to lift their maiden title.
Speaking exclusively to the ICC, Sarfaraz reflected on the high-pressure nature of India vs. Pakistan matches and the mindset that helped his team script history.
“Whenever we meet, it is a special occasion, and there is so much hype and pressure around it. But as players, you need to stay calm, try and block that noise out, and just play with the same intensity as you would against Australia or any other team,” Sarfaraz said.
Sarfaraz on Pakistan’s turnaround
Despite Pakistan’s shaky start in the 2017 tournament, where they suffered a heavy defeat against India in the group stage, the team regrouped and made a remarkable comeback. Sarfaraz credited the turnaround to senior players like Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez.
“Afterwards, we had a great team meeting, and some of our senior guys – Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez – all said their piece. You need those types of characters around you. We changed our mindset from that day,” he recalled.
“We knew we had beaten some of the best teams, so India was nothing we had not seen,” Sarfaraz said about the final.
Pakistan posted a mammoth total in the final against India, thanks to a spectacular century from Fakhar Zaman. Mohammad Amir then delivered a deadly spell, dismantling India’s top order cheaply to seal a massive180-run victory. Apart from Hardik Pandya, none of the other batters performed for India.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“The rest is history. When the last wicket went down and we won, it is impossible to describe that feeling in words. I saw Shoaib Malik and ran into his arms. The whole team joined in. It was indescribable.”
Sarfaraz on Pakistan’s chances in the Champions Trophy 2025
Sarfaraz believes Pakistan has a strong chance of defending their title, given the presence of key players from the 2017 squad.
“Some of the boys from 2017 are still there, and we’re talking about some of the best – especially Babar Azam. He is a different Babar to the one that played in 2017, a more mature and dominant player. His batting will be so important for Pakistan, and so will Fakhar Zaman’s.”
Pakistan will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against New Zealand on 19 February in Karachi before facing India on 23 February in Dubai. India’s matches have been moved to the UAE due to the BCCI’s refusal to send a team to Pakistan.
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