Mumbai: The young Pakistan team is headed home, departing for Islamabad from London on a 10.30 am flight on Monday. A big celebration has been planned for the team that turned cricket punditry on its head with a command performance on Sunday, with both bat and ball.
The Champions Trophy's leading wicket-taker Hasan Ali had dedicated his Man of the Match award to his mentor Ata-ur-Rehman on the eve of his birthday.
In return, Ata-ur-Rehman said that he would present a Honda Civic car to Ali, who received the Golden Ball for being the Best Player and Best Bowler of the tournament.
"This victory (against India) in the month of Ramadhan is very special. Our players should be allowed by the BCCI to participate in the IPL. And international cricket should resume in our country," Ata-ur-Rehman said. Yes, when the culture of violence and the army's writ ends!
White jackets courtesy ICC
The victorious men in green posed and preened in custom-made white jackets during the presentation ceremony on Sunday, courtesy the ICC, revealed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan on Monday, dispelling reports they had been flown in by the PCB!
"No, the jackets for the players were not prepared by our board, but were presented by the ICC, the host of the Champions Trophy," Mr. Khan said from London, with speculation running high that they were two sets, one for each team. Except, Virat Kohli's eleven didn’t make the cut.
