ICC announces match officials for the Champions Trophy 2017 final

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Officials for the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 to be played between defending champion India and Pakistan at The Oval on 18 June.

South African umpire Marais Erasmus and English umpire Richard Kettleborough will be the on-field officials, with Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena as third and fourth umpires, respectively. Australian match referee David Boon will be the referee for the match.

Match official appointments

18 June, final – India v Pakistan (10h30), The Oval – Marais Erasmus and Richard Kettleborough (on-field), Rod Tucker (third umpire), Kumar Dharmasena (fourth umpire); David Boon (match referee).

India v Pakistan

The final of the Champions Trophy 2017 is the clash everyone wanted. The fans who can never get enough of India-Pakistan ties had already stated the desire for the two teams to meet in the epic clash after they qualified for the semi-finals. Along with the spectators, the organisers, as well as the broadcasters, are all excited since it is expected to break all viewership records.

Team India and Pakistan have had differential journeys to the final. While the defending champions were touted to be the favourites even before the start of the tournament not many gave a chance to the No.8 ranked Pakistan team.

Virat Kohli and his men have ramped through all their challengers in the tournament except the odd game against Sri Lanka where they blipped. Their first encounter was against Pakistan where they won by 124 runs, in the next match lost to Sri Lanka by 7 wickets, the third league match was a must-win against South Africa and the Men in Blue completely outplayed the Proteas to seal a semi-final slot.

The semi proved to be yet another one-sided affair where Bangladesh after a decent batting show couldn’t challenge the Indian batters as they chased down 265 with 9 wickets in hand.

Pakistan, on the other hand, lost to India, their tie against one of the favourites Australia was washed out, they had to beat Sri Lanka to qualify for the semis and they won an exciting contest. In the semi-final, they were slated against thorough favourites and hosts England. Unexpectedly the hosts crumbled on the day as the Pakistani bowlers and batters along with their fielders emerged as the superior side.

Indian team has done the expected while Pakistan have scripted the unexpected and thus it promises to be an exciting final at The Oval.