They say good things come to those who wait and, after nearly three decades without a global tournament in their city, the people of Lahore saw their patience rewarded. A good number in the crowd were too young to remember the 1996 World Cup but they will not forget Australia’s five-wicket victory over England in a hurry.
Set 352 to win this Group B encounter after Ben Duckett’s sublime 165 from 143 balls – the highest individual score at a Champions Trophy – Australia duly pulled off a record run chase at an ICC event. It was barely even a nail-biter by the end, Josh Inglis guiding his colleagues home in the 48th over when he whipped Mark Wood over midwicket for his sixth six of the night and walked off a cool 120 not out.
