Not many would have expected an India-Pakistan final in the Champions Trophy, especially after India’s dominating win over their arch-rivals in their Group B encounter.
But Pakistan have recovered superbly to earn a rematch and this one won’t be as one-sided.
Here, we take a look at four key battles that will determine the outcome of the Champions Trophy final:
BATTING POWERS
Shikhar Dhawan v Azhar Ali
The Indian opener is the man when it comes to the Champions Trophy. He is the highest-scoring batsman in the tournament (317 runs from four knocks) and is the only player to have scored over 300 runs in two editions of the event (including 2013). Dhawan is in the form of his life while Azhar Ali has gone about his business with little fuss.
The Lahore-born star is a crucial cog in the Pakistan batting wheel and will be looking to add to his two fifties so far – with one of those coming in the opening match against India. Both possess finesse and power, and on the day, there shouldn’t be too much to separate them.
FAST AND FURIOUS
Jasprit Bumrah v Hasan Ali
The Pakistani pace ace has quickly become a Cult Hero for the Green Army and hasn’t shied away from the responsibility of leading the attack at the age of 23. He has bowled with searing accuracy, pace and flair to claim ten wickets in the tournament and he’ll need to move the ball around at the Oval if he is to trouble India’s stellar opening three.
In contrast, Bumrah, who is the same age, started slow but is finding form at the right time. He delivered when it mattered against South Africa and Bangladesh and has something about him for the big occasion. This should be a fascinating battle.
TURNING UP THE HEAT
Ravindra Jadeja v Mohammad Hafeez
Jadeja’s experience is vital for India and most importantly he is a man Virat Kohli can always rely on and throw the ball to. Indeed, the spinner is India’s leading all-time wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy (16 scalps) and his variation should trouble Pakistan on what is likely to be a flat and slow wicket.
Hafeez will be one of the Pakistani batsmen charged with keeping him out at the crease, as well as pitching in with his handy off-spin too. However, the 36-year-old veteran has struggled to impose himself on this tournament and you have to feel India have the edge in this department.
LEADING THE WAY
Virat Kohli v Sarfraz Ahmed
Given his unbelievable ODI record, it’s almost unfair to put anyone head-to-head with Virat – but Sarfraz has to stand up to the task today. Kohli is likely to do damage with the bat in south west London, but can he outfox his opposite number in the captaincy department?
For Sarfraz, in his first major tournament as skipper, he has performed well out in the middle and made his mark – rotating quicks and spins to good effect. He has to see this as a chance to write his name in Pakistani folklore. Statistically, and with his past record, Kohli well and truly leads in the stakes but anything can happen in a final.