5 cricketers who surprised us in 2017

#2 Fakhar Zaman (ODIs)

Fakhar Zaman played an unbelievable knock to help Pakistan ambush India at The Oval

Upon entering the 2017 Champions Trophy as the lowest ranked team, a resurgent Pakistan team left everyone in utter disbelief by storming to the title. In the aftermath of a chastening defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India during their campaign opener, Sarfraz Ahmed's troops embarked on a trail of astonishing renaissance. Making his debut in the must-win clash against South Africa, Fakhar Zaman lit the flame that sparked his team's turnaround.

Replacing Ahmed Shehzad at the top of the order, Zaman immediately made a mark by instilling much needed intent to Pakistan's batting lineup. The opener followed a 31 on debut with half-centuries against Sri Lanka and England. But he had reserved his best for the final.

After being reprieved by Jasprit Bumrah's ill-fated no-ball, Zaman barnstormed his way to a career-defining century against India in the summit clash. The left-hander's belligerent 114 set the foundation for Pakistan's emphatic triumph in the final. Having produced an innings of his life-time, the opener could be confronted with burgeoning expectations in the coming years.

Statistics for 2017

400 runs from 9 ODIs at an average of 44.44 and strike-rate of 100.5 with one century and two fifties