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Champions Trophy: Pakistan enter semi-finals after tense win over Sri Lanka

Pakistan became the final team to enter the last-four stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 after beating Sri Lanka in a close contest.

By PTI

Cardiff, June 12: Pakistan rode on skipper Sarfraz Ahmed's unconquered 61 to recover from a middle-order collapse and pull off a 3-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a virtual quarter-final Group B ICC Champions Trophy clash at Sophia Gardens here on Monday (June 12) to qualify for the semi-finals. (Match scorecard)

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Chasing 237 for a triumph, fast bowler Mohammad Amir (28 not out) showed great resolve to stitch together an unbeaten 75-run stand with Sarfraz for the eighth wicket to help his side register the win in a see-saw battle.

Pakistan's Hasan Ali celebrates dismissing Kusal Mendis

At one point, Sri Lanka had their rivals on the mat at 162/7 but had poor fielding and dropped chances to blame for their loss.

Pakistan, which chased the target in 44.5 overs, got off to a rollicking start riding young southpaw Fakhar Zaman's quickfire 36-ball 50 but Nuwam Pradeep (3/60) put a spanner on his works by getting him out just when he was looking very good.

The opening pair between Zaman and Azhar Ali stitched together a 74-run partnership.

Ali's dogged (34; 50b; 2x4 1x6) innings came to a premature end also after Babar Azam (10; 18b; 1x4) and Mohammad Hafeez (1) failed to contribute.

Pakistan lost the middle order in a hurry with seasoned campaigner Shoaib Malik (11; 20b 1x4 0x6), Imad Wasim (4) and Fahim Ashraf (15; 15b; 1x4, 1x6) not lasting long.

It was down to Sarfraz to lead from the front and the 30-year old made the most of two reprieves to steer Pakistan over the line alongwith important contribution from Amir.

Sarfraz was dropped twice by Thisara Perera and substitute Seekkuge Prasanna on 38 and 40 respectively, both times off Lasith Malinga's bowling.

Sarfraz Ahmed plays a shot on way to 61 not out. Photo: ICC

Earlier, Pakistan pacers put up a stunning display to dismiss Sri Lanka for 236 runs in 49.2 overs.

Fast bowlers Junaid Khan (3/40), Hasan Ali (3/43), Mohammad Amir (2/53) and debutant Fahim Ashraf (2/37) ran through the deep Lankan batting line-up which stood firm against favourites India the other day.

For Sri Lanka, Niroshan Dickwella (73; 86b; 4x4) was the top-scorer who alongwith skipper Angelo Mathews (39; 54b; 2x4; 1x6) stitched together the highest partnership of the innings of 78 runs for the 4th wicket.

Towards the end, Suranga Lakmal (26) and Asela Gunaratne (27) joined hands for a vital 46-run partnership for the eighth wicket which helped their side cross the 200-mark.

At the start, Junaid sent back Danushka Gunathilaka (13; 20b; 2x4) early with the latter finding Malik at mid-off for an easy catch.

Kusal Mendis (27; 29b; 4x4) and Dickwella were looking good for a 56-run second-wicket stand when a Hasan Ali ripper went through the former's defence as he was trying to whip the ball on the leg side.

Sri Lankan players celebrate a Pakistan wicket

In the previous delivery, an inside edge had saved Mendis his wicket off Ali's bowling.

Debutant Fahim Ashraf further shaved off the Lankans' top order by bagging his first ODi scalp, sending Dinesh Chandimal back in the hut for a duck. Chandimal dragged the ball onto his stumps, trying to slap it through covers and finding a thick edge back onto his stumps.

Amir got his first wicket in the tournament as he removed rival skipper Angelo Mathews (39; 54b; 2x4; 1x6) with a angling delivery that got a thin inside edge off the bat and onto the stumps. Mathews and Dickwella stitched together the highest partnership of the innings of 78 runs for the fourth wicket.

Dhananjaya De Silva (1) did not last long handing Junaid Khan his second wicket as Sri Lanka had half their side down for just 162 in 33 overs.

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Junaid's delivery to get De Silva out was brilliant, nipping away off the seam with the batsman staying on his crease and trying to defend. The ball kissed the outside edge of the bat for an easy catch to wicket-keeper Sarfraz.

In the next over, skipper Sarfraz took a brilliant catch diving to his right to dismiss the dangerous Dickwella off Amir's bowling.

Thisara Perera could manage just 1 as Junaid picked up his third wicket and Pakistan bowlers made the most of swing on offer to outfox the Lankan batsmen.

Lakmal and Gunaratne batted well towards the end to propel Sri Lanka to a decent total before removed the pair. Malinga remained not out on 9 as Ashraf got the better of Nuwan Pradeep (1).

IANS

Story first published: Thursday, August 3, 2017, 7:52 [IST]
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