Pakistan took on Sri Lanka today in a virtual quarter final to make it to the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Pakistan won the toss and opted to field. Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start as they lost Gunathilaka got out for 13. That is when when Mendis and Dickwella got the innings back on track with a partnership of 56 before Mendis departed for 28. Chandimal did not put on any runs on the board as he left without scoring in the second ball. Angelo Matthews then joined a well set Dickwella, they played well and took Sri Lanka to a good position where they could eye 300, but that is when disaster hit them. Once Matthews departed for 37, wickets fell in quick succession, Silva was out, Dickwella also got out and suddenly the Lankans looked like a sinking ship. Dickwella scored 73. Mohammad Amir and Hassan Ali bagged 3 wickets a piece to dent them back. Sri Lanka finally folded for 236 which never looked enough but knowing Pakistan and their different colours, no one ever counted out the other result.
Sri Lanka’s middle order collapse means they reach only 236 v Pakistan – will they be able to defend it for a semi-final spot? #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/s4db3lMc0q
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
The Pakistan chase started and young Fakhar got them off to a flyer, he scored a breathtaking 50 off 36 balls.
FIFTY! Fakhar Zaman brings up his maiden international half-century off just 34 balls! #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/yAPtvUsIfQ
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
He was the first to depart when the score was 74, Babar Azam followed suite as he departed for 10.
WICKET! Pakistan lose their second, Babar Azam going for just 10, caught by Dhananjaya off Pradeep! Pakistan 92/2 #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/8cxVV7jHuw
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
But Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez came together to get their chase on track but Hafeez departed for 1 and left Pakistan wandering. Azhar Ali too lost his footing and wicket on 34.
WICKET! Another setback, Azhar Ali goes for 34! Edged and caught at slip by Kusal Mendis! Who’s on top now? Pakistan 110/4 #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/01ZxOSOo7V
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
WICKET! This is starting to look tougher! Hafeez lofts to mid-on for 1! Pakistan lose 3 wickets for 21 runs! Pakistan 95/3 #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/RfMhmuguNL
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
Experienced Shoaib Malik too could not make a significant contribution, a lot was expected from him but he got out for 10. Sarfaraz Ahmed kept fighting and got support from Fahim Ashraf but young Ashraf got runout for 15.
WICKET! DRAMA! RUN OUT! Thisara gets a touch as the ball is hit back past him and the ball hits the stumps, and Fahim is ran out! #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/aRtSj7wSA3
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
10 overs to go, 39 required for Pakistan, 3 wickets remaining….
This is going to be TENSE! #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/XChDLPuD60
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
It was Sarfaraz the captain then who survived two dropped chances to get to a fighting 50, he will remember all his life. Amir too batted like a top order batsman to give support to his captain.
fans go wild after @SarfarazA_54 brings up his 50! #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/ARCte63XB8
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
A game of millimetres! #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/ROwiZIhgxN
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
Apart from Nuwan Pradeep who took three wickets in the middle, no other Lankan bowler looked the part. Sarfaraz and Amir’s 75 see Pakistan home, Pakistan win by three wickets.
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