Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 12th Match, Group B - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: ICC Champions Trophy, 2017 Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Date & Time: Jun 12, 10:30 AM LOCAL

Sarfraz Ahmed remained unbeaten on 61 and hit the winning runs. © Getty

So that brings us to the end of the most dramatic of games. It swung one way, then another. Sri Lanka looked set for victory when Pakistan lost their seventh wicket in the 30th over with the scoreboard reading 162 for 7. Mathews attacked all the way through. Bowling his three frontline seamers. He knew this game wouldn't go 50 overs, so there was absolutely no point in waiting and watching. It was a strategy that nearly paid off until Md. Amir joined Sarfraz in the middle. Amir was, in fact calmer than his captain, as he nurdled the ball and scampered for singles. Sarfraz hit the timely boundaries and once he received the two reprieves from Thisara Perera and Seekugge Prasanna - completed his half-century and led his team to victory.

Who would have thought Pakistan would make semis when they were thrashed by India and faced the No. 1 ranked South Africa after that. But they've turned it around like only they can and are now two games away from a maiden CT title. They'll have to win the semi against England on 14th. They've never gone past the semifinal stage before. But that's a story for another day. Today we shall celebrate the flaws and celebrate the enigma that is Pakistan. Thanks for tuning in. Stick around for all the post-match copies. There should be a lot of interesting stuff there. Until next time, good bye and good night!

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Junaid Khan earned Pakistan their first breakthrough ©

WICKET - Sri Lanka 26/1 in 5.1 overs

Junaid Khan persists with his back-of-length deliveries and strikes gold. Gunathilaka was perhaps looking to get on top of the bowler and ended up hitting to the mid-off fielder. The uppish drive was perhaps intended to carry the ball over Shoaib Malik at mid-off but that didn't happen as the timing on the shot was rather ordinary. Malik collected a simple catch to send Gunathilaka back.

Fast start for Sri Lanka

Yes, there is swing, but Dickwella and Gunathilaka are looking to make a bright start here. Good use of the early field restrictions too. We're only four overs into the game, and we've already seen a scoop shot for four off Junaid.

Niroshan walked slightly across to get in line with Junaid's length ball and watched it till the end, even as he got down on one knee to lift it over the keeper's head. That was very well done.

Was that swing, there?

Don't say it out too loud... just whisper it .. Mohammad Amir swung the ball first up! It's something that the bowlers have hardly done all tournament but under in overcast conditions in Cardiff, Amir has got a bit of movement. He still offers width later in the over and Niroshan Dickwella completes the formality of sending the ball to the fence through covers. Junaid Khan has a better start from the other end, he bowls a maiden over to Sri Lanka's hero of the win against India - Danushka Gunathilaka.

So that's that then. Pakistan have, in a way, drawn first blood by winning the toss and asking Sri Lanka to bat. Angelo Mathews's team did well on a flat surface against India a few days ago, but how will they fare on a slightly tougher track?

CAPTAINS' OPINION

Sarfraz Ahmed: There is some moisture on the pitch and we like this. Because of the pitch Faheem Ashraf is playing and Shadab Khan is not. The small straight boundaries is also one of the reasons to play four seamers. We are hoping the same performance like the one against South Africa.

Angelo Mathews: I would have definitely had a bowl first as well. Overcast conditions, little bit of grass and we are also playing four seamers.

Line-ups

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w/c), Fahim Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali

Toss - Pakistan opt to field

On a fresh surface in Cardiff, which is expected to suit the faster bowlers, Pakistan have opted to bowl. The Sarfraz Ahmed-led side has drafted in the exciting youngster Faheem Ashraf in place of leggie Shadab Khan. Sri Lanka have one change too, with Dhananjaya de Silva coming in for Kusal Perera, who has flown back home.

The pre-game chatter

Each time Pakistan have turned a corner, and they do that too often these days, the first thought and adjective that comes up is 'unpredictability'. The tag has stayed with them since 1992 when Imran Khan's 'cornered tigers' won the World Cup. However, the teams of recent times haven't looked like pulling of feats of the old. Yet a surprising victory (against SA) after an absolutely abject performance (against India) warrants the term. And senior pro Mohammad Hafeez isn't complaining.

"I've been a fan of that tag, given by many - unpredictable team. I'm very happy with that, and that's what you can see. As a team, we're always been very aggressive. The first time it was given to the Pakistan team was when we won the World Cup 1992. If you see the history of Pakistan cricket, from there till now, we're always unpredictable. We have the talent, but still you never know when it comes. That's something the always opposition thinks about. They never take us lightly."

Pakistan tend to take turns to blow hot and cold. That's what makes them

Flawed teams square off

Good morning and afternoon to all! Pakistan and Sri Lanka, two teams that have enjoyed the chance of making mockery of common wisdom, will square off for the last available semifinal spot. Less than 24 hours after India dumped out South Africa to make the semis, here we are for yet another knockout fixture - a virtual quarterfinal, if you will.

At the start of the tournament, if someone told you Pakistan and Sri Lanka will not just beat stronger, much fancied sides in the tournament but also put themselves in line for a last-four spot, you'd be rather dismissive. In the lead up to the tournament of the 'top eight sides' in the world, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have perhaps looked the weakest. You'd also want to bring up Bangladesh, but they've forever been in the shadows of their Asian 'big brothers'(all of them) and are only now showing the legs to emerge out of it. So they're ruled out of that argument. But come back to Pakistan and Sri Lanka - two teams that look woefully out of pace and out of place in the current ODI format that calls for a more aggressive, T20-like approach to it at different times. But here they are, still alive and fighting. These are two flawed teams, but perhaps the fact that they're both flawed will make for a compelling fight today. We'd genuinely hope so.

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