Cricket
There’s a reason why Pakistan were being termed as ‘unpredictable’ going into the Champions Trophy and they proved it by thrashing England by eight wickets.
Updated : Jun 15, 2017, 12:44 AM IST
There’s a reason why Pakistan were being termed as ‘unpredictable’ going into the Champions Trophy and they proved it today.
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, Pakistan stunned favourites England by registering a resounding eight-wicket win to enter the finals of the ongoing Champions Trophy here at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Wednesday.
Chasing a paltry score of 212, Pakistan crossed the line for the loss of two wickets and 12.5 overs to spare.
Their chase was spearheaded by Fakhar Zaman (57) and Azhar Ali (76), who laid a solid foundation by sharing a 118-run opening stand.
Earlier, England, who reached 300-plus scores in one-day internationals more than any other team in the past 12 months, struggled with the bat against a disciplined bowling performance of the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side and were bundled in the last over of their innings for just 211 runs.
Pakistan bowlers chipped away at the wickets at regular intervals and aided by some good fielding, curtailed England for what was their lowest total in the tournament.
For of the English batsmen got starts with Joe Root (46), Jonny Bairstow (43), Ben Stokes (34) and Eoin Morgan (33), but all failed to convert their starts into big scores.
Hasan Ali, who was adjudged the Man of the Match, was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers as he picked up three wickets giving away just 35 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
He was well supported by left-arm pacer Junaid Khan and Rumman Raees who both scalped two-two wickets and kept the pressure on the English batsmen.
Pakistan will now play the winner of the second semi-final between India and Bangladesh to be played tomorrow in Birmingham.
If India wins tomorrow’s match, one can expect a cracker of a final between the two arch-rivals on Sunday at The Oval.
Bhai @PCB_Cricket, provide a translator to your team man stop embarrassing your players.
— R (@reviewero) June 14, 2017
And now they will buy fresh TVs only to break them again on Sunday!! https://t.co/S6t5KCSUQg
— Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) June 14, 2017
Champions trophy has ended. Akhand Bharat trophy has begun.
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) June 14, 2017
England surrenders and goes away leaving India, Pakistan and Bangladesh behind to fight among themselves. I have read that script before.
— cricBC (@cricBC) June 14, 2017
Pakistan have been calm, composed and organised; they have been opposite to every stereotype assigned to them.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 14, 2017
Man. It is all building up to a delicious, historic, heavily loaded, Pakistan-Bangaldesh final.
— Domain Maximus (@sidin) June 14, 2017
Spoke too soon pic.twitter.com/7YATdV1Rm6
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 14, 2017
#EngvPak
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) June 14, 2017
Dear ICC,
Now that it's between us and our neighbours, could we move the remaining matches to Eden Gardens please?
Pakistan are giving an exhibition on how to bowl on a slow wicket ... when they are hot they are bloody boiling ... #ENGvPAK #CT17
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 14, 2017
Thank you for 2 things England:
— Dead Mau5i (@AdvancedMaushi) June 14, 2017
- Getting wrapped up from here in 1947
- Losing against Pak today#ENGvPAK
Bring on #IndvPak
This is what I envisioned for Pakistan, a team that can take up any challenge and fightback like they mean it. Congrats Pak! #ENGvPAK #CT17
— Inzamam ul Haq (@InziTheLegend) June 14, 2017
You make us proud team Pakistan! What a stunning comeback after first loss, silencing/shocking critics. Such a joy. Pakistan Zindabad
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 14, 2017