Players shake hands at the end of the match. PHOTO: REUTERS
The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy came to an exhilarating end last weekend with a face-off between arch-rivals Pakistan and India.
Despite captains of both the teams insisting it was "just another game", we knew it wasn't just that. Pakistan versus India is never just a game. It's a battle of nerves...and banter.
Champions return to hero’s welcome
From cases of jitters to exuberant scenes of peace and love, this rivalry has created the best moments in cricket world, both on the field and off. While we may have been distracted by Indian media's obsession with the "selfie curse" and Rishi Kapoor's trolling that backfired big time, there were also plenty of instances where the players themselves shared moments of mutual respect and warmed the cockles of their fans' hearts.
Here are some such moments from the eight-team tournament where, even for a little while, animosities were set aside and love was preached:
1. This meme encapsulates emotions Pakistani and Indian fans felt when England was kicked out of the tournament.
Perfect 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Gl7M32REJl
— AZ (@azkhawaja) June 14, 2017
2. When Sarfraz Ahmed was ridiculed by an Indian blog for his English in a post-match press conference, Indians themselves came to his rescue and defended him like he was one of their own.
https://twitter.com/iPakistaniLAD/status/874738275197394944
Even Viru, who rarely passes up on an opportunity to criticise cricketers from our shores, found it ridiculous.
Criticizing Sarfaraz for not speaking English is insane.His job is to play&he has done brilliantly 2 take Pak in finals #StopColonialMindset
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 17, 2017
3. Soon, Sarfraz was again under attack, this time by former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail, and before Pakistanis could react, Indian greats Saurav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh launched scathing criticism of Sohail and lashed out at him for not appreciating his own team's efforts.
How streetwise Sarfraz revived Pakistan cricket
“Yea you must be stupid, ridiculous,” said Ganguly. “Somebody who played for the country and captained should be appreciating the way they [Pakistan team] came to the final.”
4. Ahead of the final, we saw an adorable picture of MS Dhoni holding Sarfraz's baby.
A nice pic ahead of the Champions Trophy finals. @msdhoni with Sarfraz Ahmed baby: sports beyond boundaries!! #IndVsPak pic.twitter.com/8WNAlHzf4B
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) June 17, 2017
5. This handshake between Mohammad Hafeez and Shikhar Dhawan before the start of the match clearly showed there was no personal hatred, only healthy cricketing rivalry, between the teams.
https://twitter.com/taimoorze/status/876790763354542081
6. After outclassing India in the final, this video of Azhar Mehmood and Shoaib Malik completely engrossed and cracking jokes in a conversation with Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh emerged, which some believe is about that infamous dropped catch by Saeed Ajmal against West Indies. Again, a sign that these guys are just into playing cricket and not fighting wars as some of the media often make it look like.
#SpiritOfCricket #CT17 #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/G2wAmKkmxO
— ICC (@ICC) June 18, 2017
7. Azhar Ali's tweet thanking Dhoni, Kohli and Yuvraj for posing for a picture with his kids prompted a conversation between the Pakistani cricketer and Bollywood producer Mahesh Bhatt.
Pakistan euphoric after big win over arch rival
Humanity restored! The world is changed by your action not your opinion.
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) June 20, 2017
8. Pakistan's turnaround was so remarkable even Indians couldn't help but appreciate it. From Harsha Bhogle to Kohli, everyone - well, almost everyone - was happy to see this young team flourish and this letter by an Indian fan Archana Mohan summed it up brilliantly.
Archana Mohan's letter. PHOTO: FACEBOOK9. This epic picture of fans wrapped in flags of their respective countries, sitting side by side after rain nearly abandoned PAKvsIND group stage match.
While the light has improved, and the rain has stopped, this pic <3 pic.twitter.com/FIW9UgVJ0W
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 4, 2017
10. Lastly, these fans from across the border celebrated Pakistan's win in London.
https://twitter.com/Voice_Of_Ram/status/877171879601111041
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