Pakistan will meet England in the first semi‑final at Cardiff on Wednesday
Pakistan cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in a nail-biting contest after Sarfraz produced a captain’s innings of 61 not out in ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan completed their three-wicket victory with 31 balls to spare, Pakistan to face England in first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy.
In yesterday match at Cardiff, Pakistani Captain Sarfaraz Ahmad Won the toss and decided to bowl first, Sri Lanka started impressively but brilliant spell middle through from Amir and Junaid Khan saw them restricted to 236.
Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman N Dickwella (73) and skipper AD Mathews (39) and DAS Gunaratne (27) remained top scorers at from Sri Lankan side. Junaid Khan (3-40) and Hasan Ali (3-43) helped Pakistan to bowl out Sri Lanka for 236.
Chasing a seemingly modest 237 to win, left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman played a breezy innings of 50 in 36 balls with eight fours and a six.
Azhar´s (34) Babar Azam (10), Mohammad Hafeez (1), Shoaib Malik (11), Imad Wasim (4) and Fahim Ashraf (15) no batsman could bat with responsibility as they were losing their wickets cheaply.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed, following a top-order collapse, led his side from the front to see Pakistan into the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy
Pakistani Captain Sarfraz was well supported by Mohammad Amir who made an unbeaten 28 while the brave captain remained not out on 61.
“I can’t believe it,” Man-of-the-match Sarfaraz said at the presentation, lumping ample praise on his big quick Mohammad Amir who showed poise and class being number eight batsmen.
After the remarkable victory, Pakistan has to stay in Cardiff to play England in the first semi-final of Champions Trophy 2017 on Wednesday.