Published: Jun 18, 2017, 10:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 18, 2017, 10:50 PM (IST)
Riding on Hasan Ali’s consistency, Pakistan surprised nearly everyone by clinching their maiden ICC Champions Trophy in the eighth edition of the tournament. Hasan scalped 13 wickets in the tournament, equalling the record of Jerome Taylor for taking most wickets in one edition. He was awarded with Golden Ball; he was also named Man of the Tournament. In the final Hasan picked 3 wickets, of MS Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah. It was Hasan who took the winning wicket of the match and ensured Pakistan’s historic victory. Incredibly, Pakistan were ranked 8th in the ICC ODI rankings before entering the tournament. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: IND vs PAK, Champions Trophy 2017 – Final
After receiving the Man of the Tournament award, Hasan credited his success for his sheer hard work he has been putting in over the past year: “I wasn’t in the side last year but I relied on hard work and self belief.”
He also credited for his fitness and hoping to continue in the same rhythm: “I have learnt from the beginning that fitness is important. The tournament was good for me. I hope I continue like this. The final wicket was a very special moment. I don’t have words.”
With this win, Pakistan also became the second team after India to have won a 50-over World Cup, World T20, attain no. 1 ranking in Tests and win the Champions Trophy.
