CARDIFF: Skipper Sarfraz Ahmad and his men are aiming to qualify for the semi-finals and silence their detractors when Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in their last group match of the ICC Champions Trophy here on Monday (today). Pakistan are fully aware that the game against the men from Pearl Island is a virtual ‘quarter-final’ after scoring a shocking victory over South Africa. Whichever team win will advance into the semi-finals with the losers eliminated from the ‘Mini’ World Cup’. Pakistan suffered a 124-run thrashing by arch-rivals and title-holders India in their opening Group B match. Having conceded 319 for three against India, Pakistan restricted South Africa to 219 for eight. After the spinners did the initial damage, paceman Hasan Ali took three for 24 in eight overs. Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik then got Pakistan ahead of their required run-rate to secure a 19-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method when rain stopped play with their side 119 for three off 27 overs.
There is now a far more upbeat mood in the Pakistan camp and they know a position in the semi-finals is not far away if they give an exceptional performance against Sri Lanka, who, after losing against South Africa, stunned India by seven wickets in their second match. There will also be two more experienced foes up against each other in the Group B match in Cardiff with Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur pitted against Sri Lanka’s South African-born coach Graham Ford. Pakistan skipper Sarfarz told reporters yesterday that Sri Lanka were very dangerous. “They played exceptionally well against India. “It’s fearless cricket. They hit the ball hard, play outrageous shots. They will be a tough side to beat. We’ll have to be on our game,” he added.
Trying to explain the turnaround in his team’s fortunes against Proteas, Sarfraz said: “We had a good bowling meeting. We took wickets. If you take wickets, every good team feels under pressure.” Pakistan were also inspired by playing in front of a partisan crowd, something they have rarely enjoyed since a 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore led to them playing most of their major matches overseas. “That is a feeling we miss, not playing in Pakistan. Maybe that was a difference, the crowd was supporting us and that’s why the players were boosted.”
Sri Lanka too did not lack for support at the Oval when they turned the tables on India in dramatic fashion. Set 322 to win, Sri Lanka knocked off the runs with eight balls to spare thanks to contributions from Kusal Mendis (89), Danushka Gunathilaka (76) and all-rounder Mathews (52). “It’s one of the top wins, to beat India,” said captain Angelo Mathews. “The bowlers did brilliantly to restrict India to 321. It was a very chaseable target. Not many people expected us to win and that took a lot of pressure off us.” Mondays match is the only Group B fixture taking place in Cardiff.
Pakistan do have some recent knowledge of the ground beaten England there by four wickets in a one-day international last year. Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim starred with both bat and ball in that Cardiff clash and he will hope for more success upon on his return ‘home’ – he was born in the nearby town of Swansea. Coach Arthur is all praise for his young guns. “Hasan Ali is one of those. If you saw him now and remember him a year ago he’s developed, he’s stronger and fitter, his skills are developing and he will be a fine all-round cricketer.
He can field, he can bat, he can bowl. He’s in great shape so I’m very proud of his development. He stands out as one of the beacons; him Babar Azam, Imad Wasim – we have some good young players coming through and we have to keep them believing,” Arthur added. Arthur said he wanted Pakistan to keep improving all the time, playing with intensity, keep the freshness so they can grab coveted titles.