Fakhar, Amir relive iconic 2017 Champions Trophy win

Pakistani cricketing legends Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Amir have shared their cherished memories from the unforgettable 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final.

Fakhar, whose match-winning century was pivotal in setting Pakistan’s imposing total of 338/4, recalled his early innings, which began with a stroke of luck.

Having been dismissed off a no-ball early in his innings, Fakhar's knock of 114 runs turned out to be a game-changer, and he humorously recalled wishing for such good fortune before the match.

“I jokingly said to my teammates that I wanted that kind of luck, but no one took it seriously,” Fakhar said. “When it actually happened, everyone said I must have seen it in my dreams!”

Fakhar’s innings laid the foundation for Pakistan’s historic victory, and his performance is etched in the memories of fans worldwide.

Mohammad Amir, who delivered one of the most memorable spells in Pakistan’s cricketing history, shared his experience of dismantling India's formidable top order. The left-arm pacer took out Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan in quick succession, leading to India’s eventual collapse.

“The pitch wasn’t swinging much, and there wasn’t a lot of movement even in the morning. But I had this feeling that something special was about to happen,” Amir recalled. “When I got Rohit out first, the energy just kept building, and when Kohli was dismissed, I thought, ‘We’ve won 60% of the game.’ It was a surreal feeling.”

Following their victory, the players were overwhelmed by the celebrations upon their return to Pakistan. Fakhar recalled the chaos at the airport as jubilant crowds greeted the team, while Amir described the street celebrations in Karachi that added to the euphoria of the win.

“I didn’t realize the magnitude of what we had achieved until we landed in Pakistan,” Fakhar said. “People came from all corners of the country to celebrate with us.”

The 2017 Champions Trophy remains a defining moment in Pakistan’s cricketing history, and both Fakhar and Amir take immense pride in their roles in securing the iconic win.

In a parallel reflection, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was playing for Pakistan Under-19 at the time, expressed his desire to defend the Champions Trophy title in the upcoming tournament. The left-arm pacer, who was watching the 2017 final from the sidelines, is determined to wear the iconic white jacket once again.

“I was playing for Pakistan U-19 when we won the Champions Trophy. Watching that final on TV was a special moment for our country,” Shaheen shared. “Now, I want to make sure we defend our title and keep the trophy at home. Fakhar’s innings and Amir’s spell were key to our victory, and we need that same team spirit again.”