Semi-finalists 👊#SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/X7TXAeWa6l
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
Especial knock from Captain Sarfraz Ahmed adjoined by Muhammad Amir’s mature innings led Pakistan to the first Semi Final of ICC Champions Trophy 2017, surviving a collapse of fragile batting lineup.
Earlier brilliant performance by Pakistani bowlers and later dropped Catches by Sri Lankan fielders helped greens shirts to qualify for the next round by beating Sri Lanka by 3 wickets at Cardiff on Monday.
Pakistan have beaten Sri Lanka in 10 out of 11 games in ICC ODI tournaments. Seven out of seven in WCs. Three out of four in CTs. #CT17
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 12, 2017
While batting first, Sri Lanka had lost three wickets for just 83 runs but the subsequent 78-run partnership by Niroshan Dickwella and Angelo Mathews for 4th wicket stabilized the team’s position.
However as Mathews fell for 39 at 161 runs, Sri Lankan batting started crumbling. Though Asela Gunaratne and Suranga Lakmal exercised some restrain and took the score to 236 runs before the whole team was bowled out in 49.2 overs.
From Pakistan, Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali bagged 3 wickets each while 2 wickets were taken each by Muhammad Amir and debutant Fahim Ashraf.
Pakistan had an excellent 74-run opening partnership with Fakhar Zaman’s more contribution as he scored 50 off 36 balls. Then huge collapse began and Pakistan’s next six batsmen got out for just 70 runs.
Eventually, Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Muhammad Amir established a 75-run partnership, the highest for 8th wicket in the history of ICC Champions Trophy, driving Pakistan to 3 wickets victory.
The Player of the Match award deservedly goes to Pakistan captain @SarfarazA_54! #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/NERfRzl4Ng
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
This is the 4th time since the ICC Champions Trophy was held for the first time back in 1998, Pakistan has reached the Semi Final Stage.
Pakistan will play the first Semi Final against England at Cardiff on June 14 followed by the second Semi Final between India and Bangladesh at Edgbaston on June 15.
So here are your #CT17 semi-finals!
Wednesday – #ENGvPAK in Cardiff
Thursday – #BANvIND at Edgbaston! pic.twitter.com/0FKGNOtiUU— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
