Mohammad Hafeez dedicates Champion Trophy win to the millions of people in Pakistan
By Dev Trehan
Last Updated: 18/06/17 7:59pm
Veteran batsman Mohammad Hafeez has dedicated Sunday's stunning ICC Champions Trophy victory over India to the Pakistani public.
Fakhar Zaman (114 from 142 balls) hit the first ODI century of his career to help the underdogs thrash bitter rivals India by 180 runs in Sunday's final at The Oval.
Pakistan made good use of favourable batting conditions to post a total of 339 but India slumped to 158 all out as Hasan Ali claimed three for 19, sparking wild celebrations and an unlikely win following a poor start to the competition.
Hafeez, who smashed an unbeaten 57 off 37 balls to help take Pakistan past thee 300-mark, said the win was for everyone in his homeland.
The former captain told Sky Sports 2: "It's a great, great team effort from where we came from because we knew after losing the first game, we were nowhere.
"And then we just showed great, great character and I am really happy because it's all for the nation of Pakistan because they've been waiting for such a long time."
He added: "We wanted to inspire the whole nation because we have been missing this for the last nine years with no cricket at home.
"I think this is something we wanted to do because the millions of people at home were waiting for this."