CARDIFF: Sarfraz Ahmed produced a superb captain’s innings following a top-order collapse to see Pakistan into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy with a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka at Cardiff on Monday.
🎥🇵🇰 Top shots from @TheRealPCB innings, including a game-winning 75 run partnership between @SarfarazA_54 and @iamamirofficial #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/iC0WZBchSQ
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
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Pakistan, chasing a seemingly modest 237 to win, collapsed to 162 for seven.
But an unbroken stand of 75 between Sarfraz, dropped twice on his way to 61 not out, and Mohammad Amir (28 not out) saw Pakistan complete a thrilling win.
Other than the opener Fakhar Zaman, none of Pakistan’s middle-order batsman could perform to capitalise on the strong opening stand provided by Zaman.
He’s Zaman!
Fakhar hit the second fastest CT 50 for Pakistan – what a start to his ODI career! #CT17
🎥 WATCH: https://t.co/dokQIAtFOg pic.twitter.com/4goh8zxfEA
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
Babar Azam, Hafeez and Azhar disappointed Pakistani fans while all-rounders Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim too could not stay on the pitch for long.
Here is the video
🎥🇱🇰 At one stage it looked as if @OfficialSLC might tear through Pakistan, but it wasn’t to be. Watch the wickets fall here! #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/0ldKZmNI2P
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
It was the 75 run invincible partnership between bowler Mohammad Amir and captain Sarfraz which saw Pakistan home.
Pakistan will return to Sophia Gardens for a last-four clash with tournament hosts England in Cardiff on Wednesday.
India will play Bangladesh in Thursday’s second semi-final at Edgbaston, with the final at the Oval on Sunday.
Earlier, Pakistan induced a middle-order collapse as Sri Lanka slumped to 236 all out.
HERE IS THE VIDEO OF THE FALL OF ALL 10 WICKETS
🎥🇵🇰 Watch all 10 wickets with @JunaidkhanREAL and @realha55an each taking three as @TheRealPCB dismissed Sri Lanka for 236 #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/TbS6h476Bo
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
Sri Lanka were making steady progress at 161 for three while opener Niroshan Dickwella (73) and skipper Angelo Mathews (39) were at the crease.
But the loss of Mathews sparked a middle-order collapse that saw four wickets lost for just six runs as Sri Lanka slumped to 167 for seven.
Only same late tail-order hitting, with the last three wickets adding 69 runs, got Sri Lanka past 200 in an innings where Pakistan pacemen Hasan Ali and Junaid Khan took three wickets apiece.
Pakistan started their group campaign with a woeful 124-run defeat by arch-rivals India but bounced back to defeat top-ranked South Africa before this success against Sri Lanka.
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTIONS
What a partnership under pressure from Sarfaraz & Amir👌Congrats Pakistan on the win👍 #CT17
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 12, 2017
Come on boys brilliant effort what an innings from the captain. Leading from the front .it appears boys are peaking at the right time.
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) June 12, 2017
Congratulations Team Pakistan, well played boys.
— Saqlain Mushtaq (@Saqlain_Mushtaq) June 12, 2017
Never underestimate Pakistan. I repeat … Never Underestimate Pakistan! 🙂 #SLvPAK #CT17
— Mohammad Irfan (@M_IrfanOfficial) June 12, 2017
Who would have thought they had a chance after the India game! But there’s never a “The End” to Pakistan.Can win anything,can lose anything!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 12, 2017
CONGRATS PAKISTAN!!
Retweet if u had any mini heart attacks whilst watching Pak today!!! #PAKvSL
— Maz Bonafide (@MazBONAFIDE) June 12, 2017
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SOME UPDATES FROM SRI LANKA’S INNINGS
WICKET! Mohammad Amir gets another break through after dismissing N Dickwella. Sri Lanka 162/6
WICKET! Junaid Khan gets the fifth wicket after sending DM de Silva back to pavilion. Sri Lanka 162/5
WICKET! Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir bowled AD Mathews. Sri Lanka 161/4
WICKET! The debutant Fahim Ashraf gets Chandimal for a second ball duck! Bowled him! Sri Lanka 83/3
WICKET! The debutant Fahim gets Chandimal for a second ball duck! Bowled him! Pakistan on top now? Sri Lanka 83/3 #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/oiw2Wpkb0n
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
WICKET! Speedster Hassan Ali gets the second wicket for his team. Sri Lanka 82/2
WICKET! Hassan Ali gets the second! Bowled Kusal Mendis for 27, the ball nipping back in to take middle stump! Sri Lanka 82/2! #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/vKvdVLFRPh
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
WICKET! Gunathilaka, the first Sri Lankan wicket, falls to Junaid for 13. Sri Lanka 26/1
The first wicket to fall went to @JunaidkhanREAL, and a simple catch for @realshoaibmalik #SLvPAK #CT17
🎥 WATCH: https://t.co/mg1scZU3m3 pic.twitter.com/YXU57zShHg
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
Playing-XI: Pakistan
Playing-XI: Sri Lanka
Here’s how Pakistan can play Bangladesh in the semi-final
Following are the calculated targets, if Pakistan chase them down in the specified overs, they will top their group and face ‘Bengal Tigers’ in the semi:
Target 350, chase it in 15 overs
Target 300, chase it in 13 overs
Target 250, chase it in 10.4 overs
Target 200, chase it in 8.1 overs.
Stat courtesy: Espn Cricinfo
Pakistan’s national anthem at Cardiff before the match kicks off
National Anthem
#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/nu7d9oaEls— Atiq Flamboyant (@etza07) June 12, 2017
Congratulations, Shoaib Malik on this milestone
Congratulations to @realshoaibmalik, who makes his 250th ODI appearance today! 👏🇵🇰#SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/LD6iqrBGbo
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
Faheem Ashraf makes a debut in the big match!
Congratulations Fahim Ashraf on ODI debut pic.twitter.com/PEf2bHyO8E
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) June 12, 2017
Will the selfie ‘curse’ favour Pakistan today? 😛
Predict the winner.
RT for Pakistan. Like for Sri Lanka.
Credits: @ZAbbasOfficial & her Magic *sharamz* #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/7CPsWqY5Ti
— Patari (@patarimusic) June 12, 2017
