Twitter explodes as Pakistan bowlers eclipse English batsmen in Champions Trophy

The surprise package of the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket team, are yet again on their way to cause an upset in the Champions Trophy as they humbled the star-studded batting line-up of England with the help of a brilliant bowling performance. England took on Pakistan in the semi-finals of ICC Champions Trophy and no one expected the men in green to come this far in the tournament.

Pakistan freshly came off a nail-biting thriller against Sri Lanka which was viewed as a virtual quarter-final of the tournament. Sarfraz Ahmed’s day went off to a perfect start as he won the toss and elected to bowl first. Many questioned the young captain’s decision to chase, given the frail batting line-up of the side and semi-final pressure factor.

However, Sarfraz’s decision came out to be perfect as Pakistan bowlers dominated the batting heavy line up of England. Buttler, Hales, Morgan, Stokes and Co. failed to deliver on the big stage as they were bundled out for a mediocre target of 211. Only Bairstow, who came in place of Roy, and Root were able to provide some resistance to the Pakistani bowlers who continued their form from the match against South Africa.

Hasan Ali, with his spell today, became the highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy as he took three important wickets followed by his trademark celebrations. He only conceded 35 runs in his ten overs as his spell contained zeal and enthusiasm which eclipsed the might of English batsmen in the tournament.

Rumman Raees and Junaid Khan too chipped in with a couple of wickets each as the pace trio hunted in a pack. Shadab Khan was economical but also picked up a wicket. It is now up to the Pakistan batsman to complete the job almost done by the bowlers. That said, it is only Pakistan who can lose from here.

Let us look at how Twitter reacted to this performance from Pakistan

Brilliant performance from Pakistan with the ball…can they chase these down now?

— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) June 14, 2017

Excellent Bowling effort from @TheRealPCB, @JunaidkhanREAL Hassan Ali & R Raees were amazing #ct17 #pakvseng #underdogs #unpredictable

— Fawad Ahmed (@bachaji23) June 14, 2017

Ooops @michaelvaughan face but @waqyounis99 is loving it. #engvspak #osnct17 pic.twitter.com/XBnKJu2nTL

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 14, 2017

Last time I saw the England ODI team Bat like this was against Bangladesh in Adelaide at the 2015 WC …. !!!! #ENGvPAK #CT17

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 14, 2017

Brilliant bowling performance from @TheRealPCB used conditions well. Can their batting adapt & absorb the pressure of the chase? #CT17

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) June 14, 2017

Great spell of bowling by @RealHa55an 10/3/35 and he's given Pakistan a great chance of winning. #ENGvPAK #CT17 #OSNCT17

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 14, 2017

These lower scoring games are definitely more exciting when the bowlers are in the game. England still in this game. Tough pitch to bat on

— Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) June 14, 2017

The Pakistani fans will have @waqyounis99 feeling atm…??? #ENGvPAK #OSNCT17 #CT17 pic.twitter.com/UfOh54Pjcj

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 14, 2017

Dear England , Today wasn't the right time to go back to playing like the Old England of my time !!!!! #ENGvPAK

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 14, 2017

Pakistan are giving an exhibition on how to bowl on a slow wicket … when they are hot they are bloody boiling … #ENGvPAK #CT17

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 14, 2017

Shouts of Pakistan Zindabad around the stadium. It sounds like the match is being played in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar not Cardiff #ENGvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 14, 2017

You'd be forgiven for mistaking Cardiff for CARACHI. Massive crowd support for Pakistan once again. Amazing vibe outside. #EngvPak #CT17 pic.twitter.com/4AYVpllcPr

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 14, 2017

?? These guys are loving Pakistan's efforts with the ball! #ENGvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/KHv4mwUY5V

— ICC (@ICC) June 14, 2017

WHO has confirmed that each Pakistani player has been paid 10 Pounds and England is going to win this match to meet India in final #ENGvPAK

— Ra_Bies (@Ra_Bies) June 14, 2017

Hasan Ali is now the leading wicket-taker at the Champions Trophy with 10 wickets #CT17 #ENGvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 14, 2017

Pakistan taking brilliant catches
Pakistan hitting stumps with direct throws
Pakistan with excellent stops
Is this really Pakistan#ENGvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 14, 2017

* batsman hits the ball in the air *
Sarfraz * screams * roti hai bhai.
* fielder takes the catch *#ENGvPAK

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) June 14, 2017

He is a Warrior , He is a Beast , His name is Hassan Ali the Future of Pakistan's Cricket pic.twitter.com/5oTOvT0HML

— Basit (@Holaitsbasit) June 14, 2017

HASSAN ALI Appreciation tweet. ?#PakvEng pic.twitter.com/rgc22ziFIR

— صبا ? (@Saba_Sayss) June 14, 2017

Found a new favourite in Hassan Ali.. Please Pakistan, make sure he has a long fruitful career .. #PakVEng

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) June 14, 2017

Three wickets of Hassan:
Morgan
Root
Stokes
My mann, you're a Champion#ENGvPAK

— Malangg (@named_Raza) June 14, 2017

#ENGvPAK
Pretty cunning of England to put off partition in 1947 so that they can play India, Pakistan & Bangladesh separately.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) June 14, 2017

#ENGvPAK Bowlers have done their job. Up to the batsmen now

— kuzzi (@kuzzi) June 14, 2017

Excellent execution of game plan by Pakistan. Now go kill it in the chase. #GoGreen #teampak #ENGvPAK

— ZaK (@djzikria) June 14, 2017

And england innings wrapped now its time to some batting performencw by pak #ENGvPAK

— shahab mirza (@mirzashahab960) June 14, 2017

England all out. Take a bow Pakistani bowlers! #ENGvPAK Now it is our weakness to be tested again today.

— seema ajaz (@ajaz_seema) June 14, 2017

Tremendous improvement in ground fielding, amazing death bowling..One can never write off Pakistan !! #ENGvPAK #ChampionsTrophy2017

— Bhavnesh_Vijigishu (@bhavnesh123) June 14, 2017

Departing without hitting a boundary, this would sure go into facts book. #ENGvPAK

— Arslan Ch (@Arslan3023) June 14, 2017

That's it for England. Mark Wood run out for 3. England all out for 211, well short of a decent score here #ENGvPAK #CT17

— Alun Rhys Chivers (@alun_rhys) June 14, 2017

Sarfraz has come out a mature captain! #Respect #PAKvENG #ENGvPAK

— ? Bhushan S ?? (@bhushanshende) June 14, 2017