Twitter reacts to Pakistan pacers dominating against Sri Lankan batsmen

After 11 exciting group stage matches, the last one finally took place at Cardiff, between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The level of competition and uncertainty in the ICC Champions Trophy this year can be made out knowing the fact that the four semi-finalists are not yet decided till the very last match of the group stages.

After winning the toss, looking at the overcast condition, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed had no hesitation opting to bowl first. What one saw at Cardiff today seemed analogous to the Pakistani attack in the 90s, starring the likes of Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram.

The trio of Pakistan pace attack had a field day, as they claimed most of the Sri Lankan wicket with ball nipping around as well as swing. Junaid Khan, Hassan Ali and Mohammad Amir all bowled an unplayable spell as they clinched as many as eight wickets in total. Even the rookie debutant Fahim Ashraf joined the party by picking up two important wickets of the Sri Lankan batsman.

When a partnership between Angelo Matthews and top scorer Niroshan Dickwella started to bloom, Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan displayed an incredible exhibition of swing bowling as Sri Lanka lost four wickets by adding just six runs to the total. The only moment of madness from Pakistan was when the captain advised the umpires to go upstairs when he clearly knew that he grassed a catch of Gunaratne.

Thanks to the contribution from Gunaratne and Suranga Lakmal, Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 236 to make a match out of it. Dickwella looked a class apart with his 73 off just 86 balls at a strike rate of almost 85. The usually explosive batsman only managed to score four boundaries in his innings as he played the role of the sheath anchor in the innings.

Let us look at how Twitter reacted to the performance of Pakistan bowlers

Well I must say that it's really exciting to watch Amir and Junaid in this second spell together even though the result hurts #ct17 #SLvPAK

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 12, 2017

You just never know which Pakistan team will show up … One thing for sure is they are always worth watching … #PAKvSL #CT17

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 12, 2017

Wow …. This Pakistan bowling attack is so dangerous …. great to watch …. #SLvPAK #CT17

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 12, 2017

The crowds in Cardiff for the Champions trophy .. A major tournament .. have been nothing short of pathetic .. #CT17 #JustSaying

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 12, 2017

Junaid Khan absolutely brilliant today:
10-3-40-3
The best he has bowled for Pakistan for a long time.#CT17 #PAKvSL

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 12, 2017

Few things haven't changed in Pakistan cricket…great reverse swing bowling and ordinary fielding. #CT17 #PakvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 12, 2017

I Know They'll Lose, Still I'm Supporting #Pakistan Today, So That We Can Beat The Hell Out Of Them Again. ???#PAKvSL #SLvPAK #CT17 ????

— Sir Jadeja (@SirJadeja) June 12, 2017

@TheRealPCB #PAKvSL awwww if i had any hair… i'd be pulling it out ??? Green Machine predictably unpredictable…in the field again! ?

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) June 12, 2017

Pak team like PIA plane. Take long time to leave runway but once in the air, then very dangerous. #PAKvSL #CT17

— Big Nas (@NasirJamshed_) June 12, 2017

Indians : pakistan will never qualify for semi finals.

Pakistani Bowlers:#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/YbwlzZf7jm

— Mussab Bin Tariq (@mussab_tariq) June 12, 2017

Indians right now#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/MsCfyiqc5T

— ZOHAIB ?? (@lemezohaib) June 12, 2017

Cardiff has come alive with the dholwala's in the stands! #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/zFUIQer3hX

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 12, 2017

Here's to hoping our batsmen don't screw this up! #PAKvSL #CT17

— Ahmad Babarاحمد بابر (@ahmadbabar) June 12, 2017

#PAKvSL And that's a rap Ladies and Gentlemen. pakistan team bowled well #CT17 pic.twitter.com/OLfzrUQvUl

— Mr.Tee (@Teymurich) June 12, 2017

Revived memories of 90's with Pak pacers takng all wckts in a odi. This was missing in pak bowling performance in rcnt yrs #PAKvSL #CT17

— Umair Lakhany (@UmairLakhany) June 12, 2017

Chinese hardik pandya = fahim ashraf #PAKvSL

— Mohammed Armaan (@md__007) June 12, 2017

Junaid, Amir, Hasan Ali…..no doubt at all about their ability, but can Pakistan pick them consistently enough?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 12, 2017

HASAN ALI STRIKES!

Mood right now:#CT17 #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/PKMI4LGrwr

— Parhlo (@parhlo) June 12, 2017

Make hay while the sun is shining…Make runs while the ball isn't reversing. Pakistan fast bowlers putting an exhibition. #CT17 #PakvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 12, 2017

Can't miss the current #PAKvSL match on @OSNSports it's tilting Pakistan's way and @waqyounis99 it super excited #OSNCT17 ?? pic.twitter.com/n9H4QatsId

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 12, 2017

Condition of Indians

161/3 – felt pain
162/4 – attack
162/5 – mini attack
162/6 – gone faint
167/7 – Coma state

RIP in advance #PAKvSL

— شمائل مغل (@SM_Invincible) June 12, 2017

#PAKvSL #SLvPAK who did this ? pic.twitter.com/mHdvFkGH9Y

— gameplayer (@play_with_ind) June 12, 2017

When you rock the stage like a rockstar!
Has to be done! #HassanAli #PAKvSL #CT17 pic.twitter.com/VL8Fa90hNP

— Naushayy (@nosh_i) June 12, 2017

#PAKvSL Sri Lankans: We are missing our brother Wahab very much pic.twitter.com/2NtYraQLgt

— Maaz Ul Haq ?? (@Maazulhaq17) June 12, 2017

Gunaratne has to drag the tail with him to about 250. If he can do that, we might still have a good game ahead of us #PAKvSL

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 12, 2017

Pure class by Amir & Junaid. Beautiful bowling spell #PAKvSL #CT17

— Rida (@RidaHijab) June 12, 2017