With a poor record against India in ICC Tournaments and a heavy defeat earlier in the group stages at the hands of their arch -rivals, Pakistan were up against it in the final of Champions Trophy. No one gave the Men in Green a slightest of chance and it was a foregone conclusion even before the day had arrived. 
   
The day finally arrived and Indian captain Virat Kohli elected to field first after winning the toss much to the surprise of everyone around the world, knowing how Pakistan usually crumble under the pressure of a big chase. It was an opportunity missed by the Indian captain and fully availed by the Team Green. 
   
The start for the Shaheens went from bad to good in a matter of seconds as Bumrah got Fakhar Zaman caught behind when he was at 3 but the replays showed the fast bowler over-stepped and the left-handed batsman got another crack at the Indian team.
   
Just new to the International circuit and getting a lifeline in the final, the left-handed opener took full advantage of it as he paired with Azhar Ali to break the previous highest opening wicket partnership (84) against India in an ICC tournament. Both the openers reached half-century as Fakhar recorded his 3rd consecutive fifty and also his 3rd in his first four ODIs - no Pakistani had more than two in their first four games.
   
The partnership was finally broken in the 23rd over when the score was 128 - Pakistan's highest ever opening stand in Champions Trophy - when the calamity struck as both players found themselves at the non-strikers end and Azhar Ali had to depart for the pavilion for a well-made 59.
 
   
The left-hander Fakhar continued his onslaught and he was joined by Babar Azam. The pair added 72 runs for the second wicket as the KPK born former Navy sailor reached his maiden ODI century and made sure Bumrah will regret over-stepping at the start. The Mardan man finally departed for a brilliant 114, which included 12 fours and 3 maximums, while putting Pakistan in a commanding position. 
   
Babar Azam played an important knock of 46 while Malik couldn't continue his good form against India as Pakistan looked to post close to 350. The departure of Malik brought Hafeez at the crease and the all-rounder used all his experienced in taking Pakistan to 338 at the end of their fifty overs by scoring a 37-ball 57 not out. He along with Imad Wasim (21-ball 25) constructed a 71-run unbeaten partnership for the fifth wicket as the Shaheens posted the highest total of the Champions trophy 2017 - what a time to do it. 
 

Having the score on the board in the final, it was now up to the bowlers to take Pakistan home but they had the daunting task of bowling out an Indian side who have the highest number of successful chases when the target is 325+.
 

The Men in Green made a dream start as Mohammad Amir removed Rohit Sharma for a three-ball duck. The match however swung in Pakistan's favour in the 3rd over as right after being dropped by Azhar Ali off the bowing of Amir, Kohli got a leading edge and was caught at point by brilliant Shadab. Was that the cup? It could have been but still the Greens needed 8 more wickets.
   
The team in blue tried to consolidate with a partnership as Yuvraj joined Dhawan at the crease following two early losses but Mohammad Amir was unplayable and he jolted Indian's top order when he accounted for his third wicket by removing the left-handed opener in the 9th over and curtailing the team blue chances even further.
   
The chase didn't get any rhythm as they kept losing wickets. They lost half of their side inside 14 overs with the score at 54 as Yuvraj and Dhoni joined the top three in the pavilion. It was Hardik Pandya's 43-ball 76 which saved India from total embarrassment in the final of the ICC event as the margin of defeat was reduced to 180 - somewhat still an embarrassment for a team which claims to be the best in the 50-over format - as Pakistan became the Champions trophy winners for the first time in it's last ever edition.
   
Pakistani bowlers were on their game as they didn't let the Indian batsmen settle down. Amir and Hasan Ali getting three each with spin wizard Shadab getting two despite going for 60 in his seven overs as he came across a stubborn Pandya.