Cricket
Pakistan make it to the semis on the back of a sloppy performance by Sri Lanka on Monday.
Updated : Jun 13, 2017, 12:11 AM IST
Pakistan overcame a familiar attack of batting nerves to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in a see-saw Group B game at Sophia Gardens to set up a Champions Trophy semi-final with hosts England back in Cardiff on Wednesday. The other semi-final will pit Group B winners India against Group A runners-up Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Pakistan looked to have thrown away their victory chance at several points on Monday as their batsmen's fallibility before the short-pitched ball prompted an astonishing collapse from 74-0 to 162-7. But captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who had already distinguished himself with two fine catches behind the stumps, steadied the innings, steering them home to 237-7 in the 45th over with a match-winning innings of 61 from 79 balls.
At the other end, Mohammad Amir provided an equally valuable contribution, taking singles to rotate the strike as he reached an unbeaten 28. Their 75-run partnership was an eighth-wicket record for the Champions Trophy.
What a win! Now we just need to lose to England to make sure India no win trophy. #PAKvSL #CT17
— Big Nas (@NasirJamshed_) June 12, 2017
Even while batting, Pak need the help of a bowler to win matches Well done Amir! Well done Sarfraz! Congratulations Pakistan!#CT17
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 12, 2017
Congratulations Pakistan! This is how cornered tigers fight. Well played @SarfarazA_54. Pakistan all the way! #SLvPAK #CT17
— Inzamam ul Haq (@InziTheLegend) June 12, 2017
Congratulations Pakistan! Sarfaraz is not only a brilliant batsman but a great captain & a fighter, best captain in Asia. #SLvPAK #CT17
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) June 12, 2017
Pakistani Fans are just over the moon , the whole stadium is chanting Pakistan Zindabad #PakVSL #Ct17 pic.twitter.com/SEBIPShMf5
— Ihtisham ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 12, 2017
Never underestimate Pakistan. I repeat ... Never Underestimate Pakistan! :) #SLvPAK #CT17
— Mohammad Irfan (@M_IrfanOfficial) June 12, 2017
What a brilliant inning played by captain sarfaraz. Truly deserved to win #PAKvSL #CT17 also proud moment for Asian cricket teams 3 in Semis
— Younis Khan (@iam_younis) June 12, 2017
Mickey loves it! #CT17 pic.twitter.com/F8rDkNxUex
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) June 12, 2017
So its England, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan the last 4 in #CT17
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) June 12, 2017
Its playing IPL in 1947.
India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and England in the #CT17 semifinal.
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) June 12, 2017
It's England's fault. India aate hi nahin, to itni teams hoti hi nahin.
Pakistan's Bowling VS Pakistan's Batting #PAKvSL #SLvsPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/FXQ2JlSr5y
— "Noor" (@nooralee_) June 12, 2017
Unforced error on that crosscourt forehand from Malik #PAKvSL #CT17
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) June 12, 2017
Oh Pakistan, please never change ##PAKvSL #CT17
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) June 12, 2017
"It is an unbelievable feeling. I just said to Amir play your normal game," said Sarfraz who kissed the ground after hitting the winning runs. Even the captain suffered the occasional rush of blood, however, and was twice dropped on 38 and 40 by Thisara Perera and substitute fielder Seekkuge Prasanna off a disconsolate Lasith Malinga. The same bowler had also seen opener Azhar Ali spilled by Asela Gunaratne in his first over. For a while it hardly seemed to matter as excellent bowling from Malinga (1-52) and Nuwan Pradeep (3-60) ensured a regular procession of batsmen from the wicket.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had suffered a collapse of their own as superb left-arm pace bowling from Amir and Junaid Khan reduced Sri Lanka from 161-3 to 167-7 in four devastating overs. Charging in with great pace and guile, Amir removed danger man Angelo Mathews for 39 and opener Niroshan Dickwella, whose 73 had provided the base to Sri Lanka's innings.
Junaid (3-40) added to the mid-order carnage as Sri Lanka, who had begun breezily to reach 82-1 from 14 overs, could do little more than see out their overs to post a disappointing 236 all out, with Hasan Ali also weighing in with 3-43.
Sri Lanka's total always looked below par, particularly after Pakistan pinch-hitter Fakhar Zaman smashed a quickfire 50 in 11 overs. But his departure without adding another run set the nerves jangling and by the end Pakistan were limping home.
Pakistan's semi-final will be their first meeting with England in a 50-over tournament since 2003 and their first knockout clash since they won the 1992 World Cup final.
(Inputs from Reuters)