Patiala, 10 February (Sports Desk)
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, known for its unpredictability and prestige, has delivered some truly memorable matches throughout its 27-year history. With seven different teams having claimed the title across eight editions, the tournament is a testament to competitive cricket. Here are five of the most thrilling encounters:
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Champions Trophy 2002: India vs South Africa
Virender Sehwag’s all-around performance was the highlight of this thrilling semi-final. His quickfire 59 and Yuvraj Singh’s 62 helped India reach 261/9. Herschelle Gibbs’ magnificent 116 threatened to take South Africa to victory, but after Gibbs retired hurt, Harbhajan Singh triggered a collapse. Sehwag then sealed the deal, taking crucial wickets, including Jacques Kallis, as India won by 10 runs. They later shared the trophy with Sri Lanka after the final was washed out.
Champions Trophy 2004: England vs West Indies
This final at The Oval was a nail-biter. Marcus Trescothick’s century and a strong bowling performance seemed to have secured England’s first ICC title. However, Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s dismissal with the West Indies needing 81 runs and only two wickets in hand, set the stage for a dramatic finish. Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw then forged an incredible lower-order partnership, securing a stunning victory for the West Indies with just seven balls remaining.
Champions Trophy 2009: South Africa vs England
Centurion witnessed a run-fest for the ages. England’s batsmen, led by Owais Shah’s career-best 98, smashed the South African attack to all parts of the ground, posting a massive 323/8. Graeme Smith’s brilliant 141 led South Africa’s chase, but despite his efforts, England’s bowlers, particularly James Anderson and Stuart Broad, held their nerve to secure a crucial win and advance to the knockout stages.
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Champions Trophy 2013: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
This low-scoring thriller in Cardiff was a classic. Sri Lanka struggled to defend a total of just 138, thanks to a four-wicket haul from Mitchell McClenaghan. New Zealand then faced a dramatic collapse, losing three quick wickets for just one run. They eventually scraped through to victory with only one wicket remaining, thanks largely to Nathan McCullum’s crucial 32 runs.
Champions Trophy 2017: Pakistan vs India
A Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan was always going to be a high-stakes affair, and this one lived up to the hype. Pakistan posted a formidable 338/4, with Fakhar Zaman scoring a breathtaking 114. Mohammad Amir then ripped through India’s top order, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early in the chase. Pakistan went on to bowl India out for 158, winning their first Champions Trophy and completing their set of ICC titles, having already won the Cricket World Cup and the T20 World Cup.
