Pakistan play their "home" matches in UAE and Sunday's 180-run win against defending champions India was a flawless platform to send a strong message to the government in New Delhi. "They outplayed us, they were more intense and passionate on the day".
The two spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (0/70 in 10 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/67 in 8 overs) were then taken to the task with not a single wicket-taking delivery being bowled by the duo.
Despite the heavy loss, Kohli had a smile on his face. Things could well have turned out to be completely different, had Pandya had a specialist batsman at the other end. "We would have loved to bowl first but I also thought that if we can score 280, it will put pressure on the opposition.", he said.
Kohli, whose dismissal by Amir caught at point was the moment Pakistan looked locked in for the win, admitted his side had no answer to the onslaught - one that started to unravel soon after his decision to field first when Fakhar was reprieved on three, caught off a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball, and then started flaying the Indian attack to all parts of SE11. We had prepared really well and we knew the calibre of the players we have in this team.
India opener Shikhar Dhawan, Player of the Tournament in the 2013 Champions trophy, picked up the Golden Bat award for the most runs, 338, in the competition.
Meanwhile, Fakhar's opening partner Azhar Ali described himself as "the most relieved man" after Virat Kohli fell to a catch at point the ball after Azhar had dropped him at slip off the bowling of Mohammad Amir.
"We showed great character".
"After the first game, we were down and out".
Arthur hopes that this win be a boost for Pakistan cricket.
"It has been an up and down ride".
GOP lawmaker Scalise still critical though doctors 'encouraged'
Griner remained hospitalized at MedStar Hospital after getting shot in the ankle, and Sava described her in good condition. Scalise, 51, and four others were wounded when an IL man opened fire Wednesday morning on the team practice in Alexandria.
"We knew what their abilities were, and that certainly wasn't what we had trained for, we didn't play anywhere near to our ability".
"The whole group kept believing. We have a young team and credit to my boys". "It has been a remarkable achievement", said Arthur. "I think this is something we wanted to do because the millions of people at home were waiting for this".
"We have got two years until 2019. We have to identify the players we want to take forward", he added. "But for a guy like Zaman, it becomes really hard to stop players like him, because I think 80 per cent of his shots were high-risk and they were all coming off".
With Sarfraz being optimistic that other top cricket playing nations would start visiting Pakistan again, Arthur was asked if he felt the same.
"Credit goes to the team management". Hopefully, everyone will remember this win, not today, not tomorrow, but for a very long, long time.
Widely written off after an abject display in their opening group match against the same opponents, the lowest-ranked team going into the tournament suddenly rediscovered their mojo. Hope all nations now come and play cricket in Pakistan, Sarfraz said at the post-match press conference.
"It's tough to describe this feeling in words".
"I was not expecting that Pakistan will win the match - it was an unbelievable turnaround", stock broker Haris Ali, 55, told the Reuters news agency in Karachi.
"We have had youngsters benefitting from PSL".
Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali finished as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 13 scalps. From there on, the Pakistani bowlers cleaned up the tail and eventually won the match. He subsequently vomited several times and, having returned to the team hotel, informed the Pakistan medical staff that he would have to miss the game.
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