CT 2017: Match 12, PAK v SL – 5 Game Changing Moments

It was the final match of the league stage where Pakistan took on Sri Lanka in Cardiff. England, Bangladesh and India were awaiting the fourth semi-finalist of the ICC Champions Trophy. Before the match, there was very little to choose between the two sides and as the game panned out, it turned out to be the most thrilling contest of the tournament. Pakistan prevailed in a tight run-chase and made their way to the semis.

Pakistan opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Niroshan Dickwella scored a wonderful 73 and shared a couple of decent partnerships. At one stage, Sri Lanka looked like getting to a big score but Pakistani bowlers made a terrific comeback and restricted them to a mediocre 236/10 in 49.2 overs.

In reply, the Pakistani openers made a great start and added 74 runs with Fakhar Zaman scoring a fifty. They were in a decent position to cruise to the target until a collapse hit them. They were 7 down for 162 and it seemed as if they are going to crash out. But the skipper Sarfaraz Khan along with Mohammad Amir scripted a remarkable comeback and took the side past the line with 3 wickets in hand.

Here are the 5 game-changing moments from the game:

#1 Hasan getting Mendis out

After the early departure of Danushka Gunathilaka; the other opener Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis got together and steadied the ship for Sri Lanka. The duo kept scoring at a rate of knots which brought back the memories of India-Sri Lanka game where another Sri Lankan pair did the same.

But in the 15th over, Hasan Ali bowled Mendis courtesy a peach of a delivery. The batsmen had to walk back after scoring 27 and a partnership of 56 was broken. Dinesh Chandimal was removed two balls later and as a result, the brakes on the scoring were applied otherwise Sri Lanka would have cruised to a huge score.

#2 Amir-Junaid’s destructive spell

Even after being 3 down in the 16th over, the skipper Angelo Mathews joined Dickwella at the crease and brought back solidity to the innings. They added 78 runs for the 4th wicket and the side reached 160 after 31 overs. But once again Pakistan took control and this time, it was the pace bowling pair of Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan that did the damage.

Amir first accounted for the wicket of Mathews which was a body blow for the batting side. Junaid, in the next over, removed Dhananjaya De Silva followed by Amir sending back Dickwella in the next. The pattern continued as Junaid dismissed Thisara Perera in the next over. From 161/3, Sri Lanka were reduced to 167/7 which halted the progress and ultimately they could utter a paltry score.

#3 Fakhar Zaman’s blitz

After an impressive debut innings against South Africa, Fakhar once again impressed with a quickfire knock. The left-hander came out all guns blazing which was the order of the day while chasing a moderate total and given the lesser aggressive Azhar Ali at the other end.

Fakhar scored 50 off 36 balls with 2 fours and a six and got the score up and running. Pakistan’s score was boosted to 74 after 11 overs. He was dismissed in the 12th over courtesy Nuwan Pradeep. His wicket triggered a collapse in the line-up that was left reeling 162/7 in the 30th over.

#4 Two dropped catches of Sarfaraz

The skipper Sarfaraz Khan and Mohammad Amir began to script a comeback but their brilliance was equally contributed Sri Lanka’s lapses in the field. In the 39th over, Lasith Malinga deceived Sarfaraz with a slower delivery and the batsman ended up lobbing it to the mid-on fielder. But Thisara Perera did a shocker and dropped a sitter and the batsman was left to live another day.

Malinga’s next over arrived and he witnessed a Deja Vu moment. The same batsman was dropped off his bowling once more. The only difference was in the manner he was given a reprieve. This time, it was a bouncer that was hit to the square-leg fielder Prassana who dived forward and failed to pouch it. Malinga was distraught as he couldn’t believe what was transpiring to his fortunes.

#5 Sarfaraz-Amir partnership

At 162/7, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Amir got together. 75 runs were still required with 121 balls remaining. The number of balls left wasn’t an issue and it was the matter of sticking to the crease and refusing to give up. The duo was adamant and kept inching closer by rotating the strike and finding the odd boundary.

They were aided by Sri Lanka’s lackluster in the outfield but they need to be commended for the fight they showed. They got the side past the line in the 45th over with 31 balls in hand. Sarfaraz scored 61 not out off 79 balls with 5 fours while Amir hit a solitary boundary to stay unbeaten at 28 off 43 balls.