A look back at the Champions Trophy: Five memorable matches from previous editions

Five Memorable Moments from ICC Champions Trophy History With the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE, we take a look back at five of the most unforgettable moments from previous editions of the tournament. 1. Sehwag’s All-Round Brilliance (2002) Star batter Virender Sehwag played a pivotal role in India's thrilling victory over South Africa in the semi-final of the 2002 edition in Colombo. After scoring a splendid half-century to help India post a competitive total of 261/9, Sehwag turned the game with his off-spin bowling. With South Africa cruising at 200/3 in the 42nd over, Sehwag dismissed Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and Lance Klusener in quick succession to seal an enthralling win for India, securing their place in the final against Sri Lanka. 2. West Indies’ Incredible Ninth-Wicket Stand (2004) Things looked grim for the West Indies when key batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul was dismissed, leaving them needing 81 runs with just two wickets in hand against England in the final at The Oval. However, Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw held their nerve, forging an unbeaten 71-run stand to guide the Caribbean side to victory. The West Indies successfully chased down England’s total of 217 with seven balls to spare, clinching their maiden Champions Trophy title in dramatic fashion. 3. Owais Shah’s Heroics Against South Africa (2009) England delivered a dominant performance in Centurion, securing a crucial victory over hosts South Africa to reach the knockout stages of the 2009 tournament. Owais Shah was the standout performer, smashing six sixes in a blistering 98-run knock. His efforts were complemented by pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who claimed three wickets each, ensuring the Proteas fell just short in their chase. 4. New Zealand’s One-Wicket Thriller (2013) Low-scoring encounters often produce thrilling finishes, and that was exactly the case in Cardiff in 2013, when New Zealand edged past Sri Lanka by just one wicket. Sri Lanka managed only 138, but Lasith Malinga’s fiery spell had the Black Caps in deep trouble at 122/8. Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan then held their nerve, guiding New Zealand to a dramatic victory in a match that could have gone either way. 5. Pakistan’s Dominant Final Against India (2017) Pakistan produced one of their most memorable performances in the 2017 final at The Oval, clinching their first-ever ICC Champions Trophy title with a resounding victory over arch-rivals India. Opener Fakhar Zaman set the tone with a sensational century, helping Pakistan post a formidable 338/4. Mohammad Amir then delivered an inspired spell, removing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early. India never recovered, eventually being dismissed for just 158, handing Pakistan a historic triumph. These moments serve as a testament to the drama and excitement that the ICC Champions Trophy has provided over the years. Fans can only hope for more unforgettable moments in the upcoming edition of the tournament.