CARDIFF: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed credited his players, the team staff and the selection committee back home for their surprise qualification for the final of the Champions Trophy, after beating England by eight wickets in the semi-final on Wednesday.
“After the first loss, we were very down, but all the credit goes to the team management. They boosted up really well for us, and credit goes to the players as well. They were very well motivated. And after that match, everything is on its course to improving — we are bowling well, feeling well, and now today also batting as well. So that’s why credit goes to the bowlers and team management.”
👏#ENGvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/0FvKivirvm
— ICC (@ICC) June 14, 2017
Sarfraz said his team played well on a pitch used for second match in a row.
“I think the pitch was very good. It was good for both the teams. I think we played very good. That’s why we won today.”
Pakistan bowled England out for a paltry 211, which Sarfraz admitted wasn’t expected.
“Actually, I’was not expecting we will bowl them out for 210. Yesterday we came here, we had a meeting, and we thought, if we won the toss, we will elect to bowl first. And if we restricted them at 260, 270 it would be good. That’s why this target was easy for us.
Read More: Pakistan thrash England to reach Champions Trophy final
“Credit goes to the bowlers. They bowled really well, especially in the middle part, starting with Shadab. They bowled really well. They took Joe Root scalp. Then Hassan came in, and he took one wicket. Then Junaid Khan, Rumman Raees contributed.”
Sarfraz praised the players for lifting their game after a morale-sapping defeat against India.
“I think, we just talked about — after the India match, we just motivated the guys. Don’t worry about the India match. This is gone. We have two matches. If we played good cricket, definitely we will win this tournament. Now we are in the finals.”
Sarfraz praised his young players.
“I’m very happy about my youngsters performing, especially Hassan day by day improving, Shadab day by day improving, and now today Fakhar Zaman, he’s playing in third match, and now he’s batting just like a champion batsman. So I’m really happy about his performance. Hopefully, he will do well In Sha Allah in futures as well.”
Pakistan beat England by 8 wickets to reach the final of the Champions Trophy! #CT17 pic.twitter.com/ngzkxmJpDs
— ICC (@ICC) June 14, 2017
