So proud and happy to see this Pakistan team go to the final: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan stormed to the finals of the Champions Trophy 2017. After being humiliated by India in their opening game of the tournament, there was no looking back for the Sarfraz Ahmed side. They got the better of all the mighty powers to become the first finalists and will wait until tonight to know who they face off on Sunday at The Oval – whether India or Bangladesh.

Fans and former cricketers are elated after Pakistan eliminated the strongest side of the tournament. In the face of Pakistan’s pace attack, England’s famed batting line-up dwindled like a house of cards. Players like Ben Stokes could not hit a single boundary on the day. The men in green outplayed 2013 finalists in all departments to deserve a place in the finals. Former Pakistan batsman and captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who bid goodbye to cricket only a few days earlier, is elated after the win.

“I can’t explain my feelings, it feels so good. So proud and happy to see this Pakistan team go to the final. They played a perfect game today. Last two games were rollercoasters. For such an important, pressure game, they gave such a performance and it was wonderful to watch.” Misbah told a Pakistani channel after the win over England.

Sarfraz was spot on with his decisions 

Amidst all the excitement, it is captain Sarfraz Ahmed’s leadership in the tournament that stood out. Very rarely has he come across as a nervous, under-pressure captain. While one could make out from Eoin Morgan’s body language that he was a bit tensed, his Pakistani counterpart, though aggressive, seldom looked under pressure. Besides, he was clear in his thinking. He chose to bowl first and they executed their bowling plans brilliantly, which is why Misbah has compared him to MS Dhoni.

“Every decision Sarfraz took today was spot on. One thing is very important for Sarfraz. He’s like MS Dhoni. He’s not temperament wise like him, he’s aggressive – but he keeps his plans very simple like him. He sticks to the plans and the plus points. It’s easy for the other players to understand.”

Today’s game between India and Bangladesh will decide if it will be an all-green finale or otherwise.