A lone warrior, a record-breaking knock – The Zimbabwean legend who almost stunned India in the Champions Trophy!
A left-handed wicketkeeper-batter with a rock-solid presence at the crease and a name that once sent thrills down bowlers' spines—this Zimbabwean legend was at his very best in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. Facing with a formidable Indian bowling attack under the Colombo floodlights, he stood tall.
India posted a formidable 288/6, thanks to Mohammed Kaif’s brilliant 111*
He fought tooth and nail to reach a challenging target, scoring 145 runs off 164 balls, including 13 exquisite boundaries. Despite his heroics, his team fell short by 14 runs. His score against India in the Champions Trophy remains the highest. Any guesses?
Signature stroke! The master of the sweep, in Full Flow Against India!
Indeed, the batter in question is Andy Flower, Zimbabwe's finest ever! Flower delivered one of the best centuries in ICC Champions Trophy history on 14 September 2002, scoring 145 runs off 164 balls while chasing India's total of 288/6.
Flower celebrating his fearless ton against India
Sachin Tendulkar's golden arm eventually struck Flower, dismissing him when Zimbabwe still required 44 runs. Despite a late onslaught, they ended on 274/8, resulting in a narrow victory for India.
India's innings: Led by a remarkable 111* from Mohammad Kaif, India posted an imposing 288/6 in 50 overs.
Zimbabwe's chase: Flower's individual brilliance kept them in contention, but a lack of support caused them to fall short at 274/8.
Team India after winning a tough match in their 2002 Champions Trophy campaign
Result: India won by 14 runs, though Flower's innings remained the highlight.
The golden era of Zimbabwe cricket
Today, a Zimbabwean batter performing exceptionally well against India seems unusual. However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Zimbabwe had a formidable team thanks to players like Flower, Alistair Campbell, and Heath Streak.
So, the next time someone asks, "Who has the highest score against India in the Champions Trophy?" you'll know the answer! Andy Flower boasts an impressive 145!
