CT 2017, Match 12, PAK v SL – Pakistan Player Ratings

Pakistan have turned their Champions Trophy campaign around to reach the semi-finals of the tournament through a thrilling 3-wicket win against Sri Lanka. It was a typical nineties game where a total of 235 proved to be a fighting one. Sri Lanka rallied but fell short at the end as Pakistan’s skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was magnificent on the day, remaining unbeaten on 61.

Sri Lanka did not react well to the pressure. They had a tight grip on the game as their seamers brought them back in it after a brisk start provided by Fakhar Zaman. They had Pakistan tottering at 137 for 6 but could not close out the game courtesy a frenzy 20-minute fielding performance which included dropping Sarfaraz twice. Sarfaraz and Amir’s 8th wicket stand of 75 turned the game on its head.

The Islanders would have been disappointed to get just 236 runs on the board after being in a commanding position of 161/3 after 31 overs. A score of 290 looked on the cards which would have been too much to chase in a virtual knockout clash. The Pakistan bowlers fought back and got 4 wickets in the next 22 balls to peg the Sri Lankans back. Sarfaraz rung in the right changes and had the right fields set and his bowlers responded to the challenge.

Let us have a look at the Pakistan players rating for this game:

Azhar Ali – 7/10

Azhar Ali has the right technique to counter the English conditions, a country where he has done exceptionally well in Test cricket. He was responsible for providing Pakistan with a solid start in chase of 237. He would be disappointed to not kick on after getting to 34 but he ensured that his team did not lose any wickets to the new ball.

Fakhar Zaman – 8.5/10

Watching Zaman bat, not many can tell that this youngster was playing just his 2nd One-Day international game for Pakistan. He took on the new ball bowlers to make an early headway into the chase. Zaman recorded his maiden ODI fifty off just 35 balls to set up the chase for his side. He will be gutted to not convert this knock into a big innings.

Babar Azam – 2/10

All eyes were on Babar to shine in this crucial game for his country. He had an ideal platform to work on as he walked out when Pakistan had already reached 74 in the 12th over. After hitting a boundary, Babar was dismissed trying to whip one towards midwicket. He made the error of playing the shot too early and not allowing the ball to come to him.

Mohammad Hafeez – 4/10

Hafeez bowled a tidy spell of 0/24 from 5 overs but his quintessential job was to get runs at No. 4. Hafeez was very tentative the moment he took guard and was walking back to the pavilion on the 5th ball of his innings trying to flick it on the onside. Hafeez has to step up in big games for he is added to the side for his experience.

Shoaib Malik – 2/10

Malik had an off day with the bat. At 100 odd for 4, the stage was set for a Malik master class but he was hurried by a Malinga bouncer which the 35-year old wanted to pull but could only manage to glove it to the keeper for 11.

Sarfaraz Ahmed – 9.5/10

When Malik was exiting from the field, the focus shifted on skipper Sarfaraz. His style of play was ideally suited to bail Pakistan out of this rut which was self-inflicted. Sarfaraz weathered the storm and fought it out for his country to remain unbeaten on 61. His 79-ball innings won him the game as well as the Man of the Match award. He marshalled his troops brilliantly in the middle overs to make sure that his side doesn’t chase too much in this virtual quarter-final.

Imad Wasim – 4.5/10

Playing in Wales is a familiar territory for Imad Wasim since he was born in this country. He bowled well to concede just 33 runs from 8 overs but had to do a job with the bat which he failed to do on the big day. After hitting a cracking boundary, Wasim handed a simple catch to the keeper to a harmless delivery outside the off stump.

Fahim Ashraf – 7/10

Making his debut in this all-important game for his country did not deter this 23-year old. First, with the ball, he got the big wicket of Chandimal and then wrapped up the Sri Lanka innings after picking the last wicket. 2/37 in your first game is not bad at all. Fahim Ashraf started well with the bat hitting a four and a six but was unfortunately run out after carelessly backing up too much at the non-striker’s end for a run-a-ball 15.

Mohammad Amir – 9.5/10

Amir had a perfect game proving his all-around ability. He got his team back in the game when he castled Mathews which started the slide for the Islanders. He then picked the significant wicket of Dickwella, who was going great guns, to further press Pakistan into the game. His knock of 28* stunned everyone as Amir was very composed during his innings.

Hasan Ali – 8.5/10

Hasan Ali is having a great tournament. After winning the Man of the Match award in the last game, Hasan again was amongst the wickets returning with 3/43 which included the important wickets of Kusal Mendis and Asela Gunaratne.

Junaid Khan – 8.5/10

Junaid was splendid on the day as well as he returned with marvellous figures of 3/40. His second spell was magnificent where he sent Dhananjaya de Silva back to a peach of a delivery and then followed it up by picking Thisara Perera’s wicket.