Resemblance of Pakistan's journey this CT with India's triumph in WT20 2007

The 2017 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy has been nothing short of a fairy tale for Pakistan. They somehow made it to the top 8 ranked sides in ODI cricket before the cut-off time. Going into the tournament, hardly anyone, barring their own countrymen, gave a chance for them to even make it to the semi-final. Going by their form in the past couple of years, many thought they would do well if they manage to win even a single game.

They were placed in the Group B alongside India, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Their first match was against the arch-rivals India. There was a huge build-up to the game and a lot of anticipation as the two nations don’t play against each other a lot these days. As it turned out, they were decimated by the neighbors. The experts wrote them off and believed that the side wasn’t capable of winning matches at the big stage.

But what followed next, came as a surprise to the cricketing fraternity. Winning the next 2 matches in the league stage and the semi-final as well, they made it to the final. There are now just one step away from winning the trophy and for that, they will have to get over India.

The journey, however, brings about a Deja Vu for the fans who have followed the India-Pakistan rivalry closely. It is quite amazing how Pakistan’s journey in the Champions Trophy is pretty similar to India’s campaign in the 2007 ICC World T20.

Let’s take a look what makes these two campaigns alike

#1 Wicket-keeper captains

In 2007, MS Dhoni was the captain of the team who was also the wicket-keeper. Similar is the story for Sarfaraz Ahmed as well who is captaining the side as well as donning the gloves. Sarfaraz setting the fields from behind the stumps brings back the memories of the time when Dhoni used to marshal his troops from the same position.

It’s not only wicket-keeping that is the same but also the role that they played while batting. Dhoni used to bat at number 6 or 7 and played the role of a finisher which is what Sarfaraz is doing now.

#2 First ICC tournament for captains

After the big guns of Indian cricket had opted to stay out of the World T20 in 2007, MS Dhoni was handed over the reigns of the side. It was the first time that Dhoni became the captain of India and that too, in a big ICC tournament.

Sarfaraz is also leading the side in an ICC tournament for the first time. Prior to this one, Shahid Afridi was the captain of the side in the World T20 2016. It is the first time Sarfaraz has been given the responsibility at a big event.

#3 Young and Experienced teams

India consisted of the likes of Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, RP Singh, S Sreesanth, Yusuf Pathan and Joginder Sharma. They all were new to the international arena. There were a few experienced players like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh as well.

In the current Pakistan squad also, there are plenty of youngsters like Rumman Raees, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Babar Azam and Fahim Ashraf. It is mixed with the experienced lot of Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Amir and Azhar Ali.

Could there be any more similarity?

#4 India-Pakistan clashes

10 years back, Pakistan had faced India in the league stage where India won in a super over. Then, after going through loads of twists and turns, these two sides once again met and this time, it was in the final.

Fast forward a decade, Pakistan clashed with India in the group stage where they were outclassed by the neighbors. Once more, it’s going to be the two nations in the final and this time, in the Champions Trophy.

#5 Defeated big teams

India was a relatively inexperienced side in the format of the T20s when they entered the World T20. Not many gave them a chance but against all odds, they defeated England and South Africa in the Super-Six stage and then got the better of Australia in the semi-final to set up the summit clash against Pakistan.

Similarly, Pakistan was the least ranked side going into the Champions Trophy and wasn’t expected to come this far. They defeated the World No.1 side South Africa and then Sri Lanka in the league stage. In the semi-final, they sent the tournament favorites England packing to meet India in the final.