Moeen Ali claims 2017 Champions Trophy final was rigged
Moeen Ali alleges 2017 Champions Trophy final was pre-arranged by organisers.
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali claimed that organisers of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy conspired to set up an India-Pakistan final. He said England played Pakistan on a used, slow wicket in Cardiff while India faced Bangladesh on a fresh pitch.
Moeen said England were still the better side on that surface but the conditions reduced their chances. Pakistan won the semi-final by eight wickets after bowling England out for 211. India defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets to reach the final, which Pakistan won.
Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who was part of the 2017 squad, admitted on a YouTube show that the pitch for the England-Pakistan semi-final was used while India's was fresh.
CricHubb Take
Moeen's claim, made nine years later, shows how lasting the perception of that semi-final pitch decision remains among players who felt they were denied a fair chance at a major final.