New Delhi: Fakhar Zaman stamped his authoritative hundred in magnificient company of Azhar Ali to guide Pakistan to against India in the ICC Champions Trophy final at the Oval on Sunday.
Openers Zaman and Azhar Ali struck form early before Mohammed Hafeez too blitzed his way to a half-century en route to historic total in ICC Champions Trophy total for Pakistan.
Put in to bat by Virat Kohli, Fakhar Zaman (114) and Azhar Ali (58) stitched 128 runs for the first wicket before a mix up between the wickets made Azhar Ali walk back to the stand.
Soon after Ali was dismissed, Zaman changed his gears and was quick enough to complete his maiden hundred and he combined with Babar Azam
Playing his first ODI tournament, the 27-year-old left- hander got a "life" when he was batting on four as Jasprit Bumrah overstepped despite MS Dhoni taking a simple catch behind the stumps.
Zaman made full use of the opportunity to punish the Indian attack on a day when it mattered most.
For India, Bhuvneshwar, Kedar and Pandya scalped one wicket each.
India will now have to defend 339 runs to defend their Champions Trophy title.