The final group match between
Pakistan and Sri Lanka was done and dusted with Pakistan coming out triumphant
after a topsy-turvy run chase.
Pakistan once again lived up to
its reputation of a predictably unpredictable side, when chasing rather a par
target of under 250 runs. Cruising at one stage with a first-wicket stand of 74
runs, Sarfraz’s side started losing control over the game and gifted their
wickets rather cheaply. Soon the green shirts were reduced to 137/6, needing
exactly one-hundred more runs to cross the finish line.
Sri Lanka only have themselves to
blame, especially when they induced a mini-collapse in Pakistan’s batting
line-up, by letting loose the things and fielding miserably when pressure was
on Pakistan; a couple of missed catches and fumbles saw Pakistan build a record
match-winning eighth wicket partnership in the history of the ICC Champions
Trophy.
The pair of Sarfraz and Mohammad
Amir soaked up the pressure steadily and started scoring freely, as they got the
better of the Sri Lankan team. Pakistan eventually registered victory over Sri
Lanka in the virtual quarter-final to book a berth in the semi-finals to compete
against one of the pre-tournament favorites: England.
Though winning it by 3 wickets and
31 balls to spare, Pakistan’s fragile batting line once again exposed, which is
an area of concern for the head coach Mickey Arthur ahead of the semi-final match.
The English team is undefeated in
the tourney so far and with Pakistan’s flaky batting, the English seam bowlers
will fancy making early inroads into the Pakistani batting line-up no matter
bowling first or second.
It is high time Pakistan turned
as a unit and played their A game to challenge the stronger English pace attack
and caused yet another upset, such is the trend in the ongoing ICC Champions
Trophy 2017.
