Hundreds of fans gave Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed a hero&#39;s welcome as he arrived home carrying the Champions Trophy early on Tuesday.

Men, women and children packed Karachi airport as Sarfraz returned from England, where Pakistan thrashed arch-rivals India to be crowned surprise winners.

Sarfraz held up the trophy to loud cheers and chants of &quot;Long live Sarfraz!&quot; as a police band played patriotic songs nearby.

&quot;(We won) thanks to Allah and the prayers of the whole nation,&quot; Ahmed said in brief comments as he jostled his way through the crowd of well-wishers.

Pakistan&#39;s victory by 180 runs on Sunday has sparked widespread celebrations in the country, where cricket is the number one sport.

Sarfraz was showered with bouquets and given a traditional skull cap and an &#39;ajrak&#39; shawl, which is usually presented as a mark of honour. Senior local officials also turned up to greet the captain before he was whisked away under escort by police commandos along with team-mate Rumman Raees.

Sarfraz&#39;s residential block in central Karachi was adorned with colourful lights and Pakistan flags, while fans climbed on rooftops and balconies to watch him return home.

Sarfraz held up the trophy to loud cheers and chants of 'Long live Sarfraz!' as a police band played patriotic songs nearby

Hundreds of fans gave Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed a hero's welcome as he arrived home carrying the Champions Trophy early on Tuesday. Men, women and children packed Karachi airport as Sarfraz returned from England, where Pakistan thrashed arch-rivals India to be crowned surprise winners. Sarfraz held up the trophy to loud cheers and chants of "Long live Sarfraz!" as a police band played patriotic songs nearby. "(We won) thanks to Allah and the prayers of the whole nation," Ahmed said in brief comments as he jostled his way through the crowd of well-wishers. Pakistan's victory by 180 runs on Sunday has sparked widespread celebrations in the country, where cricket is the number one sport. Sarfraz was showered with bouquets and given a traditional skull cap and an 'ajrak' shawl, which is usually presented as a mark of honour. Senior local officials also turned up to greet the captain before he was whisked away under escort by police commandos along with team-mate Rumman Raees. Sarfraz's residential block in central Karachi was adorned with colourful lights and Pakistan flags, while fans climbed on rooftops and balconies to watch him return home.

After beating India, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed gets hero's welcome back home

The Rajasthan Police on Sunday busted cricket betting racket that was taking place across the state during the Champions Trophy Final match that was played between India and Pakistan.

During the operation in Jhalawar city, the Kotwali Police arrested a Congress councilor named Mahfouz Alam alias Bunty and his five companions and recovered around Rs 17 lakh, eight mobile phones recovered from them.

Similarly tow bookies were also arrested in Jhunjhunu by the Nawalgarh Police for placing bet during the cricket match and recovered seven mobile phones, one laptop and an LED screen television.

Accused Atul and Pandey, were arrested for placing bet worth Rs&nbsp;15 lakhs, the police said.

During the operation in Jhalawar city, the Kotwali Police arrested a Congress councilor named Mahfouz Alam alias Bunty and his five companions and recovered around Rs 17 lakh and eight mobile phones

The Rajasthan Police on Sunday busted cricket betting racket that was taking place across the state during the Champions Trophy Final match that was played between India and Pakistan. During the operation in Jhalawar city, the Kotwali Police arrested a Congress councilor named Mahfouz Alam alias Bunty and his five companions and recovered around Rs 17 lakh, eight mobile phones recovered from them. Similarly tow bookies were also arrested in Jhunjhunu by the Nawalgarh Police for placing bet during the cricket match and recovered seven mobile phones, one laptop and an LED screen television. Accused Atul and Pandey, were arrested for placing bet worth Rs 15 lakhs, the police said.

India: Rajasthan Police busts cricket betting racket

Pakistan won the Champions Trophy final against India by 180 runs.

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman (114) hit his maiden ODI hundred after being caught off a no-ball in the innings&#39; fourth over, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah.

Azhar Ali (59), Mohammed Hafeez (57) and Babar Azam (46) also pitched in to take the Pakistani total to 338 for four.

None of the Indian bowlers, except Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/44), could trouble the Pakistani batsmen after Virat Kohli opted to bowl even as the UP pacer was also taken to cleaners towards the end.

Hardik Pandya (76) was the lone Indian batsman who put up some resistance before India folded for 158 in 30.3 overs.

Mohammed Amir cleaned up the Indian top-order to pull the rug from under their feet, dismissing Rohit Sharma (0), Virat Kohli (5) and Shikhar Dhawan (21).

Brief Scores: 
Pakistan : 338 for four in 50 overs. (Fakhar Zaman 114, Azhar Ali 59, Mohammed Hafeez 57, Babar Azam 46; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/44). 
India: 158 all out in 30.3 overs. (H Pandya 76, Yuvraj Singh 22; Mohammed Amir 3/16, Hassan Ali 3/19)

(PTI)

Hardik Pandya (76) was the lone Indian batsman who put up some resistance before India folded for 158 in 30.3 overs

Pakistan won the Champions Trophy final against India by 180 runs. Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman (114) hit his maiden ODI hundred after being caught off a no-ball in the innings' fourth over, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah. Azhar Ali (59), Mohammed Hafeez (57) and Babar Azam (46) also pitched in to take the Pakistani total to 338 for four. None of the Indian bowlers, except Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/44), could trouble the Pakistani batsmen after Virat Kohli opted to bowl even as the UP pacer was also taken to cleaners towards the end. Hardik Pandya (76) was the lone Indian batsman who put up some resistance before India folded for 158 in 30.3 overs. Mohammed Amir cleaned up the Indian top-order to pull the rug from under their feet, dismissing Rohit Sharma (0), Virat Kohli (5) and Shikhar Dhawan (21). Brief Scores: Pakistan : 338 for four in 50 overs. (Fakhar Zaman 114, Azhar Ali 59, Mohammed Hafeez 57, Babar Azam 46; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/44). India: 158 all out in 30.3 overs. (H Pandya 76, Yuvraj Singh 22; Mohammed Amir 3/16, Hassan Ali 3/19) (PTI)

Champions Trophy final: India lose to Pakistan by 180 runs

India skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday rejected the reports of him having any rift with head coach Anil Kumble, saying they are mere speculations which have been created by the people ahead of the team`s much anticipated high octane opening match of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan to be played at Edgbaston Cricket Ground on Sunday.

&quot;There are lot of speculations and lot of things being written by people who are not even part of the change room, which is very strange. There are no problems whatsoever,&quot; Kohli told the media.

After India left for England to defend the Champions Trophy, it was reported that all was not well between Kohli and Kumble.

Reports have been surfacing about Kohli`s alleged spat with Kumble regarding differences of opinion on selection matters.

Kumble&#39;s contract as Indian cricket team&#39;s head coach will end post-India&#39;s campaign at the Champions Trophy and the BCCI has already invited applications for the position.

&quot;If something is being put in as a process, I don&#39;t see why people are creating so many speculations about it. It was followed last time also. The team is totally focused on the Champions Trophy. I honestly don&#39;t even know and I don&#39;t even want to know anything of this sort because in a tournament which is such big, lot of people like to find lot of rumours and especially before the start of the tournament,&quot; stated Kohli.

&quot;They are doing their job and on their livelihood. We are focused on our livelihood which is on the field and all that we are going to focus on,&quot; he added.

The iconic leg-spinner, who took over the post of head coach from former cricketer Ravi Shastri, has had a successful tenure as under him, team India claimed the ICC Test ranking top spot.

On Friday, after former India skipper and member of Cricket Advisory Committee, Sourav Ganguly, met Indian cricketers at team hotel, it was indicated that Kumble would step down from his position after the Champions Trophy.

Ramachandra Guha, who quit a Supreme Court-appointed four-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) overseeing the BCCI in protest, has said in his letter of resignation, &quot;If indeed the captain and the head coach were not getting along, why was this not attended to as soon as the Australia series was over in late March?&quot;

&quot;Why was it left until the last minute, when a major international tournament was imminent?&quot; he asked.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag, former Australian Test player Tom Moody, current head coach Kumble, former Indian cricketers Lalchand Rajput and Dodda Ganesh and former Pakistan and Bangladesh coach Richard Pybus have applied for the post of India`s head coach.

The BCCI`s three-member Cricket Advisory Committee comprising cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and VVS Laxman will conduct interviews and seek presentations to select the best possible candidate to guide the team and take the team forward.

(ANI)

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In a press conference before the crucial Indo-Pak encounter on Sunday, Virat Kohli cleared the air about news that there is a rift between Indian cricket team coach Anil Kumble and him (WION)
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Reports have been surfacing about Kohli`s alleged spat with Kumble regarding differences of opinion on selection matters

India skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday rejected the reports of him having any rift with head coach Anil Kumble, saying they are mere speculations which have been created by the people ahead of the team`s much anticipated high octane opening match of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan to be played at Edgbaston Cricket Ground on Sunday. "There are lot of speculations and lot of things being written by people who are not even part of the change room, which is very strange. There are no problems whatsoever," Kohli told the media. After India left for England to defend the Champions Trophy, it was reported that all was not well between Kohli and Kumble. Reports have been surfacing about Kohli`s alleged spat with Kumble regarding differences of opinion on selection matters. Kumble's contract as Indian cricket team's head coach will end post-India's campaign at the Champions Trophy and the BCCI has already invited applications for the position. "If something is being put in as a process, I don't see why people are creating so many speculations about it. It was followed last time also. The team is totally focused on the Champions Trophy. I honestly don't even know and I don't even want to know anything of this sort because in a tournament which is such big, lot of people like to find lot of rumours and especially before the start of the tournament," stated Kohli. "They are doing their job and on their livelihood. We are focused on our livelihood which is on the field and all that we are going to focus on," he added. The iconic leg-spinner, who took over the post of head coach from former cricketer Ravi Shastri, has had a successful tenure as under him, team India claimed the ICC Test ranking top spot. On Friday, after former India skipper and member of Cricket Advisory Committee, Sourav Ganguly, met Indian cricketers at team hotel, it was indicated that Kumble would step down from his position after the Champions Trophy. Ramachandra Guha, who quit a Supreme Court-appointed four-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) overseeing the BCCI in protest, has said in his letter of resignation, "If indeed the captain and the head coach were not getting along, why was this not attended to as soon as the Australia series was over in late March?" "Why was it left until the last minute, when a major international tournament was imminent?" he asked. Former India opener Virender Sehwag, former Australian Test player Tom Moody, current head coach Kumble, former Indian cricketers Lalchand Rajput and Dodda Ganesh and former Pakistan and Bangladesh coach Richard Pybus have applied for the post of India`s head coach. The BCCI`s three-member Cricket Advisory Committee comprising cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and VVS Laxman will conduct interviews and seek presentations to select the best possible candidate to guide the team and take the team forward. (ANI) In a press conference before the crucial Indo-Pak encounter on Sunday, Virat Kohli cleared the air about news that there is a rift between Indian cricket team coach Anil Kumble and him (WION) ×

Virat Kohli scotches reports of rift between him and Kumble ahead of match with arch-rival Pakistan