Inspired Pakistan crush India by 180 runs to win the Champions Trophy final 2017

Pakistan vs India, Champions Trophy final 2017: live scoreboard

Revelation and redemption helped Pakistan turn world cricket's order upside down as Fakhar Zaman's maiden one-day international century and Mohammad Amir's brilliant new-ball spell underpinned a landslide 180-run win over India in the Champions Trophy final.

Fakhar rode his luck for a spellbinding 114, caught-behind from a no-ball on three and escaping a run-out chance with just a single to his name in Pakistan's total of 338 for four at The Oval.

Amir (three wickets for 16 runs), still winning his sport over again after his criminal role in the 2010 spot-fixing saga enacted seven years ago and just a handful of miles away at Lord's, then reduced India to 33 for three - a perilous situation from which the overwhelming favourites were unable to recover, despite some astounding hitting from number seven Hardik Pandya (76).

Pandya raced to his half-century in 32 balls, with the third of three successive sixes in one over from Shadab Khan - but after pressing on to a new career-best, with four fours and six maximums, he was run out in a hapless mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja which encapsulated India's miserable day.

Their defence of the title they won in England in 2013 foundered against the team who began the campaign ranked below all other competing nations at eighth, and lived up to that billing in an opening group match in which they lost to their greatest rivals by 124 runs.

What a difference two weeks have made, though, Fakhar delivering at every attempt after being brought in for his debut at the age of 27 and Amir's pace and swing proving too good here for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan - who could add only 26 runs between them to the 895 they had made over the previous four matches.

Amir produced an irresistible spell in which he pinned Rohit lbw for a duck with fast inswing, had Kohli dropped at second slip in his second over, then gone to a catch at point next ball, and Dhawan edging extra bounce behind.

When teenage leg-spinner Shadab then struck in his first over via DRS, hitting Yuvraj Singh pad before bat, and MS Dhoni pulled Hasan Ali (three for 19) for a tumbling catch in the deep, India were washed up at 54 for five - and there was no realistic way back.

Little went right for them, in fact, from the moment Kohli put Pakistan in on a glorious morning.

Fakhar overcame his early wobbles to share a century opening partnership with Azhar Ali (59) and unfurl a series of increasingly assured strokes among his 12 fours and two sixes in a 92-ball century.

Mohammad Hafeez - with a 34-ball 50 - and Babar Azam chipped in too to ensure Pakistan turned the promise into substance.

It was, all too briefly for India, eight for one when Fakhar went after a wide delivery from Jasprit Bumrah and edged behind - only to be reprieved by the no-ball call.

The harum-scarum left-hander had already survived with just a single to his name when he pushed Bhuvneshwar Kumar to cover and would have been run out had Kedar Jadhav managed a direct hit.

Azhar had a run-out scrape too, on 29, when Rohit missed the stumps from midwicket this time as Pakistan's frenetic start continued.

It was compelling shot-a-ball viewing, several not necessarily despatched in the intended direction.

But the two openers became more convincing and in the 20th over, bowled by Jadeja, reached their 50s from consecutive balls - Fakhar second to the milestone from one delivery fewer when he cut his seventh four straight through the hands of Yuvraj at point.

There was a still a seat-of-the-pants element to Pakistan's progress, though, and it was not the greatest surprise when the opening stand ended with a run-out mix-up in which both batsmen were stranded at the same end.

Azhar had to go, with his partner static in the non-striker's crease, after Bumrah pulled off an unexpected stop at midwicket.

Fakhar responded with two overs of circumspection and then two more with brought him three fours and two sixes as he suddenly put his foot down against India's two specialist spinners on his way to a century which was brought up when he swept Ravi Ashwin ferociously to the fence again.

India got their man finally thanks to a fine catch by Jadeja running back from point after a skewed big hit at Pandya.

Babar came out of the opener's shadows - but after Shoaib Malik and he holed out in the off-side deep, Hafeez (57 not out) hit four fours and three sixes to power well past the 300 benchmark required against India's powerhouse batting line-up in these run-fest conditions.

It was then over to Amir, who quickly dispelled the predictions of many that India could pull off a tournament and ground-record run chase - in the process silencing the majority support in a sell-out crowd for this high-profile showdown as their team folded to 158 all out in 30.3 overs.

5:10PM

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur

5:06PM

Mohamad Hafeez speaks

5:03PM

Shoaib Malik on what this means back home

4:58PM

Pakistan beat India by 180 runs

A pasting. Glorious stuff. 338/4 plays 158/10 (33.3 overs) and Pakistan are the winners of the Champions Trophy 2017. Congratulations to them.

4:57PM

WICKET! Bumrah c Sarfraz b Hasan Ali 1

That's it! They have done it! Hasan digs it in, Bumrah's not really at the races, gloves the lifter and skipper does the rest. FOW 158/10

4:54PM

OVER 30: IND 158/9 (Kumar 1* Bumrah 1*)              

A couple off Junaid. A heave, an edge, a steepler, and Pakistan think they have it for a second... but the ball lands safely. Kumar lives to fight another day, I guess.

4:49PM

OVER 29: IND 156/9 (Kumar 0* Bumrah 0*)             

Bumrah gamely survives the rest of the over but it's just delaying what will be one HECK of a celebration.

4:46PM

WICKET! Ashwin c Sarfraz Ahmed b Hasan Ali 1

Another one! This time it's Ashwin, feathering behind, and India are just one wicket away from a complete pasting. FOW 156/9

4:46PM

OVER 28: IND 156/8 (Ashwin 1* Kumar 0*)            

Big boys back at both ends now, as Junaid sorts out the lacklustre Jadeja in a two-run, one-wicket over.

4:44PM

WICKET! Jadeja c Babar Azam b Junaid Khan 15

And now Jadeja has wafted the ball lazily to slip. Awful from an experienced player. I can only imagine the look of disgust on Ricky's tough little face, albeit perhaps mediated by having literally predicted the wicket a ball before! FOW 156/8

4:41PM

OVER 27: IND 154/7 (Jadeja 15* Ashwin 0*)           

Not one of Jadeja's most distinguished performances, a fine catch notwithstanding. Walloped all over the park with the ball. "Looks a bit lazy with his batting, Jadeja. He's not backing up at the non-striker's end," says Ricky Ponting. "You have to help your teammate out. Poor cricket. There's no point in being disappointed now. He has run one of the young players out, now he need to stand up and be counted. When a player starts being lazy, it's funny how things can creep in [poor shots etc]."

4:38PM

WICKET! Pandya run out 76

Sarfraz returns to his quicks, it's Hasan Ali. And it brings about a wicket, although India very much the architects of their own downfall .A complete mix-up, awful for India, and the real worst of it is that the dangerman Pandya is the one who has to go. Both batsmen running to the same end, total #headsgone, and that really surely is the end.

Jadeja struck it into the covers, set off for a couple of paces, didn't seem to call as far as I could tell. Couple of strides, then he stopped. Jadeja, as the striker, surely the culprit. Anyway. Amatuerish really, and a shame, because Pandya was keeping this alive as a contest. Just. But surely no more.  FOW 152/7

4:33PM

Sixer Pandya

4:33PM

OVER 26: IND 152/6 (Pandya 76* Jadeja 13*)          

And now Sarfraz has cause to regret letting it ride on Fakhar Zaman! Pandya has brutalised him for two consecutive sixes. Bang! Bang! The second one especially was a monster. Into the advertising hoardings between the second and third teir. Walloped that.

4:30PM

These fans don't think it's in doubt, though

4:30PM

OVER 25: IND 134/6 (Pandya 63* Jadeja 11*)         

Showing faith in the leggie, Sarfraz asks Shadab to continue. This over goes not for 23, but for just three. Pakistan are getting through these overs.

202 runs required from 25 overs, so that's a click over eight an over. BUT while this partnership is together -woth 66 at eight an over... well, you never know.

4:28PM

OVER 24: IND 134/6 (Pandya 62* Jadeja 9*)        

But still Sarfraz resists the temptation to return to his fast bowlers. And again, Fakhar Zaman, having a day of days, delivers for the skip.

4:26PM

OVER 23: IND 128/6 (Pandya 59* Jadeja 6*)       

How about a 23-run over? Reckon that'll help? He's mashed the leg-spinner for three sixes. Cow corner, long on, and then another slog for six. A fifty for him, the fastest in an ICC final I believe.

4:24PM

OVER 22: IND 105/6 (Pandya 36* Jadeja 6*)      

Sarfraz feels confident enough to indulge Fakhar Zaman/himself with another over from  Fakhar Zaman. And hey presto, it goes for just three.

What can India do from here? It feels like a 1,000-1 shot... but these two can bat, no question.

4:22PM

OVER 21: IND 102/6 (Pandya 34* Jadeja 5*)     

Pandya whacks a four off Shadab. He's not ready to shake hands on this yet.

4:17PM

Atmosphere?

4:14PM

OVER 20: IND 93/6 (Pandya 27* Jadeja 3*)    

Imad Wasim comes on with his left-armers... and then has to come off after three balls. Oh dear. He's limping off. Not too sure what happened there, one assumes an aggravation of the leg injury he had in the semi v England. The batting hero Fakhar comes on to finish the over. Some nondescript SLA, a round arm. Just a couple of it. 

4:10PM

OVER 19: IND 89/6 (Pandya 24* Jadeja 2*)   

Lofting a languid six down the ground, Pandya becomes the top scorer of the innings. There are nine off the Shadab over.

4:06PM

OVER 18: IND 80/6 (Pandya 17* Jadeja 0*)  

Well, the first thing he can do is stand and have a rest at the non-striker's end as Pandya takes the fight to Pakistan. Picks up a brace of twos with glides through off, now helps a short one over the cordon for four. 

4:05PM

SIR JADEJA ENTERS THE ARENA

What can Sir do?

4:02PM

OVER 17: IND 67/5 (Pandya 9*) 

It's only a matter of time now. That wicket, the second for the 18-y-o leggie, comes off the last ball of the over.

4:01PM

WICKET! Jadhav c Sarfraz b Shadab 9

Ripping legbreak, Jadhav goes big... but he's going home. Heaves across the line, top edge, miles up in the air. Gloveman Sarfraz screams for it and does the necessary. FOW 72/6

3:59PM

OVER 16: IND 67/5 (Jadhav 9* Pandya 4*) 277 needed from 35 overs 

Quality contest, Hassan digging it in at proper pace. Jadhav rides the storm and then picks a ball to get involved with. Crisp, dismissive pull. 

The Indian fans think it is all over, but nobody has told Jadhav.

3:56PM

Queue to get in, queue to get out

3:55PM

OVER 15: IND 62/5 (Jadhav 5* Pandya 2*) 277 needed from 35 overs

Jadhav cracks Shadab for a four. 

3:52PM

Feeling it

3:52PM

OVER 14: IND 55/5 (Jadhav 0* Pandya 1*)    

No greater front-runner in world sport than the Pakistan cricket team, they are absolutely at it and the Boys In Green are playing like supermen right now. Pandya crushes the ball through backward point, and young  Shadab  produces a world-class bit of fielding to deny him a run.

3:49PM

WICKET! Dhoni c Imad Wasim b Hasan Ali 4

Pakistan's cup runneth over, and we are witnessing one of the great moments in Pakistan - hell, world - cricket history. The mighty India are in disarray, short ball into the ribs of Dhoni, who pulls it... but he's cramped, a good tight line, and MSD has wafted it to the man halfway back on the legside. FOW 54/5

3:45PM

OVER 13: IND 54/4 (Dhoni 4*)   

Worth making the point that the ball before, Shadab had given him the googly, and Yuvi had failed to pick it, the ball sliding across his pad.

3:41PM

WICKET! Yuvraj lbw Shadab 22

Teenage leg-spin sensation Shadab comes on... and soon has an LBW shout v Yuvi Singh. He's prodded forward...

...given not out...

But I think perhaps Richard Kettleborough thinks it was pad first. Well, it ain't...

And the rest of the case against Mr Singh looks open and shut!

He's gone! Yuvraj falls to the leggie. FOW 54/4

3:40PM

Praise indeed, eh?

3:38PM

OVER 12: IND 50/3 (Yuvraj 21* Dhoni 1*)  

The Hafeez eggsberryment did not work, so here is Hassan Ali. Nice to be able to bring on the best bowler of the tournament second change, right? Dhoni very much taking his time, that's ten balls now for one run.

3:34PM

OVER 11: IND 47/3 (Yuvraj 18* Dhoni 1*) 

Sarfraz decides to squeeze another over out of Amir and is rewarded with a maiden, Dhoni taking no liberties as he digs in.

3:30PM

OVER 10: IND 47/3 (Yuvraj 18* Dhoni 1*)

If you're Yuvi, who do you want to face here? The hostile pace of Junaid... or the occasional off-spin of Mo Hafeez. Sarfraz may have got the wrong answer to this question. Yuvi in his element, down the pitch to crunch a four. Uses the feet again to manufacture a full toss, and a four. Feasts on a short ball for a third boundary and that's a welcome momentum-shifter for India.

3:26PM

OVER 9: IND 33/3 (Yuvraj 6*)        

That off the last ball of the over. I wonder if Sarfraz will keep Amir on, go for the kill here and now?

3:25PM

WICKET! Dhawan c Sarfraz b Amir 21

But Amir keeps on coming. The first two wickets came from length, this one comes when he gets one to climb. The complete bowler. Cross seam delivery, bounces, Dhawan tried to glide it down to third man but he got the edge and skipper did the rest. FOW 33/3

3:22PM

OVER 8: IND 31/2 (Dhawan 20* Yuvraj 5*)       

Two poor balls from Junaid, perhaps the first two of the innings. Short, wide, slap, four to Dhawan. Short, wide, slap, four to Dhawan.

3:21PM

OVER 7: IND 22/2 (Dhawan 11* Yuvraj 5*)      

Amir superb again. Quick, dangerous. Accurate. Just a leg-bye off this over. And that rate is starting to climb...

3:20PM

OVER 6: IND 21/2 (Dhawan 11* Yuvraj 5*)     

Thrilling contest. Yuvi's touch not in yet, his feet not moving. But he has heart and he has experience. He goes at a hook, top edges it, gets four. Junaid whistles one past him. Wheels. 

3:09PM

The Pakistan life

3:08PM

OVER 5: IND 16/2 (Dhawan 10* Yuvraj 1*)    

Dhawan flicks off the pad. Yuvi turns down an easy single. Dhawan gives him A Look. But now India begin the long, long fightback. Amir with the short ball, smashed away defiantly by Dhawan. The same batsman now picks the slower ball next delivery, and slots that through the covers.Another four. Now the flashing blade, and a ball flies just over young  Shadab at backward point.

3:03PM

OVER 4: IND 7/2 (Dhawan 1* Yuvraj 1*)   

Junaid doing a super job as the foil. Quick, no nonsense, he has got Yuvi pinned back and there's nowhere for the veteran to go in this maiden over. Pakistan absolutely on it in the field.

2:59PM

OVER 3: IND 7/2 (Dhawan 1* Yuvraj 1*)  

That is only half the story, though. Third ball of the over, Amir had produced an absolute pearler, it's edged to Azhar Ali at first slip... and he has put down a sitter, a shocker.

"How important will that be?" is the inevitable response from the commentator. 

And then next ball, Virat spanks it to point.

Nasser Hussain: "Not very important at all! That is Pakistan cricket at its best. Down one minute, up the next."

Wonderful scenes. India are on the ropes, their greatest enemy rampant, their leader fallen. What can this talented Indian team produce from here? Mohammad Amir, back in the side after missing the semi, back in the city of his disgrace, shows his utter class with two superlative overs of left-arm fast-bowling.

2:54PM

WICKET! Kohli c Shadab b Amir 5

Pakistan have done it! The king is dead. He has skewed the ball to point, it's a smart catch, and that is FOW 6/2

2:52PM

OVER 2: IND 4/1 (Dhawan 1* Kohli 3*) 

Brilliant from Amir. And his fellow left-armer  Junaid Khan keeps the pressure on with a probing, tight over. If any batsman can claim to have Virat's number it is Junaid. He has bowled 22 balls to the great man in ODIs and has had his wicket THREE times for just two runs scored.

2:49PM

OVER 1: IND 2/1 (Dhawan 0* Kohli 2*)

A magnificent opening over from Pakistan's ace. He'd already had a nibble of Sharma's inside edge. Kohli refuses to be dominated, although he is beaten neck and crop by his first ball, the slider across him. Drills down the ground but it's tigerishly fielded by old man Malik - that is a good sign. Virat scampers off his pads for two.

2:44PM

WICKET! Rohit Sharma lbw Amir 0

Oh he's got him! Vintage Mo Amir, vintage left-arm over the wicket, moving viciously back into the right hander. The great Wasim himself could not have improved upon that one. Full, quick, moving late. Rohit considers a review for some time, but eventually the clock runs out. FOW 0/1

The umpire could have made a case not to give that, but it looked out to me on first viewing.

2:42PM

Mo Amir

Has the new ball in his hand, he has Rohit Sharma in his sights. Let's play.

2:35PM

A huge challenge

And at the same time, an eminently reachable one. What a superbly poised final we have.  Where is your money? Here come the openers.

2:14PM

Pakistan score 338/4 and India need 339 to win

Well then. That is a big score. India have the men to do it, no question, but having lost the toss, Pakistan have done brilliantly to set a substantial challenge.

2:12PM

OVER 50: PAK 338/4 (Mohammad Hafeez 57* Imad Wasim 25*)   

Ball one: excellent yorker. Stabbed for one by Imad.

Ball two: full, wide, Hafeez can only play it back to the bowler.

Ball three: Nailed! Hello! Back down the ground for six.

Ball four: Smeared for a single.

Ball five: Imad cannot do anything with a bouncer.

Ball six: Dug in, tennis shot over his head for just one.

All in all, there are nine off the over. Well done, Bhuvi Kumar. Fine, fine bowling today, finishes with 1/44 off his ten with two maidens.

2:09PM

OVER 49: PAK 329/4 (Mohammad Hafeez 50* Imad Wasim 23*)  

24 off the last three overs. There are 12 balls left. Pakistan need a minimum of a run a ball. Fifty stand is up, in a warm order - but not quite the total assault Pakistan would have fancied. Imad Wasim backs away a country mile and Bumrah follows him. Just a leg bye. Bumrah now with a yorker, Hafeez jams the bat down. The ball rolls back and hits the stumps. Like, really hard. The bail leaps in the air and then settles back in the groove. Well I never.

So just two runs off the first three balls. But Bumrah bowls a no ball. Oooh dear. But he redeems himself, Hafeez cannot reach the ropes off the freehit. And now another no ball. But again, Pakistan (Wasim this time) cannot get it away. All in all, there are 11 runs off the over, but no boundary, but two no balls bowled. I think BOTH sides will be annoyed after that one!

Hafeez, btw has his fifty. in a brisk 34 balls.

So, it's 329 with an over left. Bhu Kumar the man.

2:00PM

OVER 48: PAK 318/4 (Mohammad Hafeez 46* Imad Wasim 20*) 

Classy death bowling, this, from B Kumar. Working the blockhole for Imad Wasim. After four singles, Wasim attempts a reverse pull against a short ball, and gets just a clang on his head and a leg by for his troubles. That leaves Hafeez on strike, and he can do nothing with the slower ball. A priceless dot. Just five off the over and that is really a first-rate effort from Kumar.

1:56PM

OVER 47: PAK 313/4 (Mohammad Hafeez 44* Imad Wasim 18*)

Jasprit Bumrha. A trio of singles. Bumrah mixing it well. Now the slower ball - and Imad has smashed it. Pandya only had ten yards to move at straight hit and he was never even close to it. Annoyingly, Imad now tries a rinky-dinky reverse sweep and misses. Never mind about that. Just muller it lad!

Eight off the over. Well bowled.

1:52PM

OVER 46: PAK 305/4 (Mohammad Hafeez 42* Imad Wasim 12*)    

And now BhuKu is getting the treatment! Length ball has gone the full distance. Six. That forms the centrepiece of an 11 run over. Some iffy Pakistan running, again.

Pakistan are on course for a major score here. 24 balls left. Eight an over would give them 337. What can Bumrah and Kumar do to peg them back?

1:48PM

OVER 45: PAK 294/4 (Mohammad Hafeez 32* Imad Wasim 11*)   

Grown greedy from that spawny Jadhav wicket, Kohli risks another circuit around the dining room with the sweet trolley - and this time Hafeez gets tucked in to Jadav's right-arm whatever-it-is. Six down the ground!  Game effort from Pandya on the rope. Wasim also helps himself, getting his front leg out the way, launches it for another maximum. 16 off the over - how crucial might that be?

1:44PM

OVER 44: PAK 278/4 (Mohammad Hafeez 24* Imad Wasim 3*)  

Bumrah. Hafeez wanders languidly across his stumps and whips it for four through the legside. What a talent. A frustrating talent, sure, but what a player he can be.

1:39PM

OVER 43: PAK 270/4 (Mohammad Hafeez 18* Imad Wasim 1*) 

And still Sarfraz keeps himself back. Instead sends in Imad, I guess hoping that Imad can wallop a few.

1:38PM

WICKET! Babar Azam c Yuvraj Singh b Jadhav 46

Oh would you believe it?! Jadhav has picked one up with his right-arm filth. Hafeez manages just one run off two dirty balls, and Babar then smears a nothing delivery to wide long off. Desperate stuff from Babar. FOW 267/4

1:34PM

OVER 42: PAK 266/3 (Babar Azam 46* Mohammad Hafeez 15*)

If India win this, B Kumar should be in for man of the match, no matter what the batting does. Six overs two maidens one for 11  so far, the pick of the bowlers by a country mile.

If he can produce four more good overs, Pakistan will not feel they have enough.

BUT Hafeez has nailed him here! Only the second boundary off Kumar, swatted through midwicket. No further heavy metal though in that over, nine off it in total.

1:30PM

Have some decency

1:30PM

OVER 41: PAK 257/3 (Babar Azam 44* Mohammad Hafeez 9*)           

Warnie: "Pakistan will need to just knock it around for a couple of overs, they cannot go yet."

Hafeez smashes his first ball for four.

Warnie: "Or just whack it!"

Jadeja on, Hafeez down the track to slam it for four. Now Ravi too straight, Mo laps that for four. Another pre-planned sweep a ball later. A ten-run over.

1:26PM

OVER 40: PAK 247/3 (Babar Azam 43* Mohammad Hafeez 0*)          

A very useful over for India, to say the least. A run and a wicket.

1:25PM

WICKET! Shoaib Malik c Jadhav b Kumar 12

You bet your Bhuvneshwar he can! Digs it in short, it's never there for the shot and Shoaib Malik attempts a sort of tennis shot, succeeding only in scooping it into the hands of deep extra cover. FOW 247/3

1:23PM

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is coming back on 

Can he winkle one out?

1:22PM

Dat ton

1:20PM

OVER 39: PAK 246/2 (Babar Azam 42* Shoaib Malik 12*)             

And here is Kedar Jadhav. Extraordinary stuff, military medium bowled with a flat, round arm. Like a baseball submarine pitcher, or as Shane Warne has it, "right arm under". Couple of wides in there, a few singles. But Shoaib slaps a pie straight to the cover fielder - that should have been out of the park. All in all, seven off the over is far from a disaster.

1:15PM

OVER 38: PAK 239/2 (Babar Azam 39* Shoaib Malik 10*)            

Pandya to complete his spell. Not such a good over, this has put a dent in his figures. Short and wide. Crunched behind point. Short and a bit legside. Four behind square leg. Babar the man both times. A wide, some ones and twos, and that's a handy 12-run over. 

So Pandya is done, 1-53. Ashwin is done, 0-70.

Kumar has bowled five, Bumrah six. You can reasonably assume each will bowl his quota, but that would be nine overs unchanged at the death. Jadeja has three overs left but has not looked much of a threat.

Kohli is going to need a couple of overs out of Kedar Jadhav.

1:12PM

OVER 37: PAK 227/2 (Babar Azam 28* Shoaib Malik 10*)           

Jadeja returns, not too sure why Bumrah only had the one there. A regrettable interlude on Sky Sports 2 while some golf man comes on and tells us about golf. Dear me no. Golf is common, and certainly should not be interrupting cricket.I think it was a production error as he is suddenly, mercifully cut off in mid description of an eagle, or a birdie, or an off-colour joke that someone just said on the 19th hole or whatever it is that they do.

Anyway. Shoaib Malik down the track to wallop Jadeja! Yes Shoaib! 

1:09PM

OVER 36: PAK 216/2 (Babar Azam 25* Shoaib Malik 2*)          

Babar starting to get going, and he needs to, as he clatters the impressive Pandya for four. Nothing wrong with the ball. Your guess is as good as mine as to what constitutes a good score.

1:04PM

OVER 35: PAK 209/2 (Babar Azam 18* Shoaib Malik 2*)         

Jasprit Bumrah comes on, and is soon feeling the icy wrath of Kohli when the skipper gives him a slip, and Bumrah promptly tries a yorker that comes out as a full toss. Babar cashes in. Three singles to go with it.

12:59PM

OVER 34: PAK 202/2 (Babar Azam 12* Shoaib Malik 2*)        

Shoaib Malik comes in, promoted up the card. And this is a key moment in the match. 101 balls left as the veteran Malik comes in. Pakistan need a run off each of them at the bare minimum. Neither Shoaib, nor the becalmed Babar, can get any action going in this over.

12:56PM

WICKET! Fakhar c Jadeja b Pandya 114

Ah, and that is what now! Fakhar slogs, slices, and it is an absolutely exceptional catch from Ravi Jadeja running back at point and catching it as it drops over his shoulder. What a fielder that guy is. Minerals. FOW 200/2

catch from sir

12:53PM

OVER 33: PAK 200/1 (Fakhar 114* Babar Azam 11*)       

Ashwin. So attacking, so relentlessly aggressive in Tests. But he's not really looking to turn it today - he has hardly used his off-break. Only really trying flight and length to ask questions, not laterally movement. Tosses it up to Fakhar and he pings it for six! Three singles to go with it.

What now for India?

12:51PM

OVER 32: PAK 191/1 (Fakhar 106* Babar Azam 10*)      

Some wild and not especially well controlled swinging in that Pandya over, but *nick Knight voice* you just sense that things might just be going Pakistan's way. Edges landing safe, etc.

12:41PM

OVER 31: PAK 186/1 (Fakhar 103* Babar Azam 8*)     

Fakhar sweeps Ashwin, down early, had a plan, executed it. And it brings up one of the most exciting, pumped, hundreds you will ever see. Caught off a no ball on 7, ran out his partner, and has also flayed the ball hither and yon with some outrageous, unconventional hitting.

Lofts the ball over cover for two now, and then gets another stroke of luck when he Harrow drives the ball past his stumps. Ooof. Let's all gather ourselves over drinks.

12:38PM

OVER 30: PAK 179/1 (Fakhar 96* Babar Azam 8*)    

Babar has faced 11 of the last 15 deliveries, and that inequality of opportunity has put the handbrake on the growth rate. Pandya with another tidy over, three runs. 19 balls Babar has used for his eight runs so far. Not a problem if he now kicks on, but...

12:34PM

OVER 29: PAK 176/1 (Fakhar 95* Babar Azam 7*)   

Lucky for Ashwin, he gets to bowl four balls at the new man Babar. Just one run off the over.

12:33PM

OVER 28: PAK 175/1 (Fakhar 94* Babar Azam 7*)  

Kohli needs to stem the flow here. He managed to get six overs out of Kedar Jadhav for just 22 runs against Bangladesh but he dare not risk his part-timer/sixth bowler against Fakhar. Instead, he turns back to Pandya. Short ball. Fakhar is a compulsive, although not accomplished, hooker and he has gloved it over the keeper for four. Pandya beats Babar outside off. Eight off the over, comparative calm.

12:27PM

OVER 27: PAK 167/1 (Fakhar 89* Babar Azam 4*) 

And now R Ashwin feels the wrath of Fakhar. Down the pitch and plays an outrageous slash back over the bowler, not one you'll find in the coaching manual but by god he got his eye on it. Six! Now he carves the ball through third man for four and that's 33 runs off the last 12 balls. Woof.

12:23PM

OVER 26: PAK 150/1 (Fakhar 76* Babar Azam 2*)

Fakhar Zaman has come back at India though with a magnificent assault. Down the track to Jadeja - this chap uses his feet very well against the spinners - and he larups him for six. Next ball, Jadeja hustles the ball quicker and shorter, and Zaman sees that coming too, clumps it behind point. Four. Later in the over, he again plays the big shot, not fully timed, but no man out at cover so it is just a matter of clearing the infield. He does, that's four, that's 16 off the over, and that's 150 up. He owes his side a few after having run out his opening partner, but Fakhar is doing everything he can to pay off that debt.

12:19PM

OVER 25: PAK 134/1 (Fakhar 61* Babar Azam 1*)                        

Ashwin suddenly looking more threatening. India at it with their fielding. Pakistan are in danger here.

12:18PM

OVER 24: PAK 129/1 (Fakhar 57* Babar Azam 0*)                       

Just one run off the over. India sense a chance to turn the screw. Jadeja so quick through this one run over.

12:13PM

OVER 23: PAK 128/1 (Fakhar 56*)                      

Grr.

12:12PM

AZHAR ALI RUN OUT 59

I hate to say it, but it's a classic self-inflicted wound by Pakistan. Awful. So stupid.

Azhar turns the ball through midwicket and there's an easy one there. Azhar sets off, but Fakhar is ball-watching at the non-striker's end. He just stands there as the man at midwicket, Bumrah, gathers, slowly and clumsily, but he has time to throw to Dhoni who does the rest. Fakhar doesn't do the decent thing, and Azhar is the man who has to go. Shot in foot. FOW 128/1

Dhoni had the bails off, then made double sure by whipping out a stump as well. 

12:07PM

Hard to imagine this for an England game TBQFHWY

12:07PM

OVER 22: PAK 125/0 (Azhar 58* Fakhar 54*)                     

Jadeja with a pie, outside off. Azhar helps himself behind point. Cuts a slower ball for two. All Pakistan in that over. Jadeja, four overs for 29, has not carried much of a threat.

12:04PM

OVER 21: PAK 118/0 (Azhar 52* Fakhar 53*)                    

This pair are starting to look commanding, they rotate the strike well here off Pandya. A very long way to go, but there is cause for optimism for the Boys In Green.

11:59AM

OVER 20: PAK 114/0 (Azhar 50* Fakhar 51*)                   

Fakhar has played two very clever, very neat shots in that over. Backs away to give himself room for a cut four. And now he pings another cut, read the length very well. Yuvraj makes a horlicks of the fielding at backward point. That gives him a well-earned fifty.

And his partner Azhar has also passed that landmark in this over. India need something.

11:55AM

OVER 19: PAK 103/0 (Azhar 48* Fakhar 42*)                  

Pandya bowling well. Snakes it past the outside edge of Fakhar's bat. Short wide one, Fakhar leaves it, expecting a wide call. None comes. Just three off the over.

11:51AM

UPSETTING SCENES

Hooliganism blights our game once again. 

11:50AM

OVER 18: PAK 100/0 (Azhar 46* Fakhar 41*)                 

Fakhar not afraid to use those feet, down the track to smear the ball for four through cow. That's the ton up! Sir Jadeja the bowler, and this is now Pakistan's best opening stand v India in an ICC tournament.

11:46AM

OVER 17: PAK 93/0 (Azhar 44* Fakhar 36*)                

Azhar Ali down the track, gamboling like a spring lamb, gambling on the big shot over the top. Gets it off the splice, or at least the sticker, and it thuds safely just 25 yards from the bat with fielders converging. Bowler AndyaPandya laughs mirthlessly at the batsman's fortune. 

And that takes us to drinks, a hugely entertaining fixture so far, with adrenaline playing every much as big a role as skill. Some big shots, some stupid running, a 'wicket' off a no ball.

11:39AM

OVER 16: PAK 90/0 (Azhar 42* Fakhar 35*)               

And Sir Jadeja is a nice man to be able to call upon for Virat. So much talent throughout this team. A more, conventional, you might say over as this pair work him calmly for singles, the fielding is good, the bowling tidy.

11:36AM

OVER 15: PAK 86/0 (Azhar 40* Fakhar 33*)              

A change of bowling, Pandya into the attack, and it very nearly pays off right away. Decent pill shaping back in, no inside edge, and that's a really tight (and, IMHO, good) decision from the umpire to give that not out. All hail Richard Kettleborough.

Now Azhar crunches a four through point, there are eight off the over and, you know what, India need a wicket.

11:31AM

OVER 14: PAK 78/0 (Azhar 35* Fakhar 31*)             

Four runs off the Ashwin over. He has dispensed with the slip, who was a waste of space because RavAsh wasn't making any effort to turn it, or bowl that line.

11:29AM

OVER 13: PAK 74/0 (Azhar 33* Fakhar 29*)            

Pakistan continue to tickle the feet of the God of Run Outs. This time, it's Azhar knocking the ball towards Yuvraj and setting off. Powderpuff throw from Yuvi is well wide. Next delivery, Fakhar gives HH Pandya a chance to have a go, but AndyaPandya is not troubling the scorers either. Oh, Pakistan. Never change.

11:25AM

OVER 12: PAK 69/0 (Azhar 31* Fakhar 27*)           

Pakistan flirting with an idiotic runout here. There's one out to the man in the deep, but then the openers set off, hesitate, yes, no, wait. They get back on this occasion but I have to say, it feels like calamity is waiting in the wings. But this is more like it! Fakhar down the pitch and he absolutely butchers this through midwicket. Shot!

11:18AM

OVER 11: PAK 63/0 (Azhar 30* Fakhar 22*)          

Bumrah returns. Kohli cannot risk a part-timer here, Pakistan could really get away. Talking of risk, this is a suicidal run from Azhar. Hits it straight to Rohit Sharma at midwicket and he has all the time you could ask for to set himself and throw at the bowler's end stumps. Misses. India have had a couple of run out chances.

Fakhar celebrates the team's reprieve with a drive down the ground for four.

11:15AM

OVER 10: PAK 56/0 (Azhar 29* Fakhar 16*)         

Azhar nails a sweep, Ashwin not yet at his brilliant best. In Ponting's words, "both teams will be fairly happy so far" and I can see what he means. Good lines have kept Fakhar quiet, no room to free his hands. Kumar parsimonious. On the other hand, Ashwin not quite at his best, and ten overs without loss for 56 represents a perfectly acceptable start having been put in.

11:12AM

OVER 9: PAK 48/0 (Azhar 23* Fakhar 14*)        

B Kumar is bowling some classy, classy stuff. Fakhar hasnae got a scooby-do about that bouncer. The pay-off delivery, the full one on off-stump, draws a murmur of appreciation from commentator RT Ponting. This is a classy maiden. Kumar five overs two maiden no wicket for ten. Can't say fairer than that.

11:09AM

OVER 8: PAK 48/0 (Azhar 23* Fakhar 14*)       

R Ashwin on. Good move I think. Signs of nerves from the batters, and the dangerous off-spinner could well rattle them into a blunder. But this is not a good over from the boy Ashwin. Two wides in it. And now Azhar slots him over long off for a thumping six!

11:05AM

OVER 7: PAK 38/0 (Azhar 16* Fakhar 13*)      

Azhar again with that baseball shot, but this back at the bowler. And Kumar does his own fielding a couple of deliveries later when Fakhar Zaman crunches a straight drive to him. Just a couple off the over.

10:59AM

OVER 6: PAK 36/0 (Azhar 15* Fakhar 12*)     

Both sides struggling with the pressure? Bumrah too wide, and Azhar slashes it away through third man. Now a dreadful heave-and-a-miss. Lucky to survive. A wide. A legside ball, sent on its way to fine leg for four. This is frantic, exciting, error-filled stuff so far.

10:56AM

OVER 5: PAK 27/0 (Azhar 7* Fakhar 12*)    

Fakhar Zaman hit on the lid by a bumper and that's four leg byes. Another short ball, not sure that's BhuKu's best line of attack actually, clattered through the legside for four, charging down the pitch to pull.

10:51AM

OVER 4: PAK 19/0 (Azhar 7* Fakhar 8*)   

Phew!

10:50AM

Bumrah has a wicket - oh no he doesn't! It's a no ball

Awful shot from Fakhar Zaman, slashing giddily, and he's easily caught. But they check the front foot, and that is a no ball.

Lady in the crowd enjoyed it greatly.

This is a bonkers over. Next ball, for the freehit, Fakhar Zaman manages to somehow nutmeg himself to  a legside ball. Then he chops past his own stumps for four. After a single, Azhar baseball bats it back down the ground for a four. Now another legside wide. Ends with a slowie.

He delivered nine balls for 12 runs there.

10:45AM

OVER 3: PAK 7/0 (Azhar 3* Fakhar 3*)  

Suggestions of jitters in this Pakistan opening pair. Azhar Ali edges wide of the second slip, didn't play that especially well. Now Fakhar drops and goes! This is a mad run! Would have been curtains with a direct hit from Jadhav. Another tight, but this time legit, single. Nerves are jangling.

10:40AM

OVER 2: PAK 3/0 (Azhar 1* Fakhar 1*) 

Jasprit Burmrah takes the other new ball, his distinctive ramrod straight arm, at a very low angle. Unique. Gets good seam position and some swing. Hits Fakhar on the pads with an inswinging full toss first ball but makes a fool of himself with an LBW appeal - it would have missed leg stump by ten inches. Wide next ball down leg. Gradually gets the radar going. Couple of singles.

10:35AM

OVER 1: PAK 0/0 (Azhar 0* Fakhar 0*)

Azhar to face. Kumar is pitching it up, looking for swing. Azhar gets an inside edge into his pads second ball. Unable to line up the bowler. Manages to connect with a couple but picks out men in the cover. It's a maiden to start with! Bit of swing both in and out at modest pace from this archetypal English swing merchant.

10:33AM

For India

It is the admirable BhuvneshwarKumar to bowl on a hard, brown pitch. If anyone can swing it conventionally it'll be BhuKu.

10:31AM

Here come the Pakistan openers

The ground is wreathed in firework smoke. "Ooooh-Ravi-Ja-de-ja" rings out from the Indian fans, to the tune of "Oooh, Michael Van Gerwen" "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes.

10:29AM

Anthem time!

Two absolute belters. India first up. Lovely stirring, tremendous stuff. I've awarded seven out of a possible five stars.

Pakistan next. Excellent use of trumpets, a nice undercurrent melody in the left hand as well at points. Seven stars as well.

10:13AM

Rob Key did a nice interview with two men

who know a bit about the pressure of these fixtures.

Two glorious anecdotes from Lord Snooty: "I have had so many calls for tickets today. It’s not Eden Gardens, today I cannot provide."

and another one about everyone you encounter before Ind v Pak fixtures urging you to deliver.

"I remember before one ficture, my maid was serving me dinner. She put down the rice, put down the chicken... and then said 'you must win tomorrow'."

Wardy. debriefing, Rob Key: "did your maid say that before you would face Derbyshire?" 

10:11AM

Teams

India: RG Sharma, S Dhawan, V Kohli*, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni†, KM Jadhav, HH Pandya, RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, B Kumar, JJ Bumrah

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed*†, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan

10:06AM

Shane Warne

"Advantage India for me. A very big toss. Short boundaries, hard pitch, quick outfield.

"It's not 'just another game'. This is a final. You have to embrace it, you have to stick your chest out, you want the ball in your hand, you want to be the man."

Shane is Australian, you know.

10:05AM

Sarfraz

"Very proud of my boys, we were number eight ranked when we came here and here we are in the final.

"I would have bowled but we hope to bat well and set 300."

Mo Amir is back in the XI.

10:04AM

India win the toss they will bowl

 "We like to be in control with the chase. We prefer chasing. One more effort. We think the pitch will stay the same all day and we think that there might be some grass for the bowlers early on."

India are unchanged.

10:03AM

Passion, pressure, expectation

Athers: "400 or 500 million watching today. When they played earlier in the tournament there were 210million in India alone!"

10:02AM

I hope Pakistan deliver

I expect India will.

Here's Virat in the meanwhile.

10:00AM

Team news and the toss coming up

The best batting side in the tournament against arguably the best bowling attack.

9:57AM

Good morning sports fans

What a match! How exciting. Cricket doesn't get bigger than this, does it? India v Pakistan, a world final. And, it gives me great pleasure to relate, a glorious day in London.

9:56AM

Our preview

What is it?

It's the final of the Champions Trophy 2017. Pakistan, who knocked England out this week, face fierce rivals India, who overcame Bangladesh in comprehensive fashion on Thursday.

When is it? 

Sunday June 18.

Where is it?

The Oval, in London.

What time will it start?

The toss will be shortly after 10am, and the first ball will be bowled at 10.30am.

What's the weather forecast?

This being England (and Wales), the competition couldn't have gone without the weather affecting things in some way.

Indeed, rain played a significant role in Australia's exit from the competition, but the sun has been out for the majority of this week and the forecast is great for Sunday.

The weatherman says we should expect lots of sun, highs of 30C and a low chance of any rain. Look:

What TV channel will it be on?

Sky Sports 2 will have live coverage of the match, with build up starting at 10am.

Alternatively, you can follow the match with Alan Tyers on this page.

What's the team news?

Pace bowler Mohammad Amir is fit and will play for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final at The Oval on Sunday, according to coach Mickey Arthur.

A back spasm kept Amir out as Pakistan defeated hosts England brilliantly on Wednesday but Arthur is now pinning his hopes on a full-strength attack to contain India's batsmen better than most other sides have managed so far.

"If we can get amongst them with the new ball, we can expose the middle order that hasn't batted much in this competition, so that's pretty much our aim and focus," the South African Arthur said on Saturday.

Probable teams

India: V Kohli (Captain), R Sharma, S Dhawan, Y Singh, MS Dhoni (wkt), K Yadav, H Pandya, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, B Kumar, J Bumrah

Pakistan: A Ali, F Zaman, B Azam, M Hafeez, S Malik, S Ahmed (Captain, wkt), I Wasim, M Amir, S Khan, H Ali, J Khan

Umpires: M Erasmus (SA) and R Kettleborough (Eng) Third umpire: R Tucker (Aus) Match referee: D Boon (Aus)

What are they saying?

Virat Kohli's knack of dealing with the expectations of 600 million cricket-crazy India supporters will be put to the test as never before in the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan.

A global broadcast audience of more than half-a-billion is being projected for Sunday's showdown between two of the sport's fiercest rivals.

Kohli will be cast centre stage as India captain in front of a mere 24,500 sell-out crowd at The Oval, and his primary task will be to keep his composure at the crease and in the field as the overwhelming favourites bid to retain their title.

At the age of 28, his stellar career to date has made him an expert at setting aside the scrutiny and pressure - to the tune of 27 one-day international hundreds and counting, for example.

It is quite a feat, and one which has had to be learned and honed.

"You can't think of those things when you step on to the field," said Kohli.

"I know there are expectations, I know there are people that expect the team and me to do well every time we play. But I understand as a player and as a person that it's not possible."

Instead, his personal method is to visualise success and have faith in his and his team's ability, but not to believe in miracles.

"You have to be close to reality," said Kohli. "This is a part of being an Indian cricketer, you have to find a way to deal with it.

"You can't ignore it. You have to maintain a balance and then focus on what you need to do on the field.

"I think I've been able to strike a good balance until now and I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow."

Off the pitch, he cites a selective approach to Twitter et al as a handy tactic too.

"The biggest thing is to stay off social media," said the India captain.

"It sounds funny, but honestly it's so important to stay away from those things - to connect to things that matter, the things that a sportsman needs to take care of.

"If you're too distracted listening to too many suggestions or players or criticism, then you can't focus on what you need to think as a sportsman first to be able to lead the team and then help the others in the team as well.

"The more relaxed you stay in these situations it's a good thing, because it helps you take better decisions when you are composed and calm mentally."

What happened last time?

Yes, these teams have already played each other in this competition - it was their first match of the Champions Trophy and took place on 4 June.

India posted an impressive 319/3, before rain shortened the match and Pakistan were set a revised target of 289 to win in 41 overs. They fell well short, and were bowled out for just 164.

You can read the full match report here.

What are the odds?

Pakistan - 7/4 India - 4/9

What's our prediction?

India to win, but nowhere near as comfortably as they did last time out.