The perennially unpredictable Pakistani cricket team were seen to cock a snook at the opposition yesterday; putting up a masterful performance against the fancied, in form English team to pull off a comprehensive win in the first semi final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The drubbing means that England are out of the competition and Pakistan will now meet the winner of the second semi final at the Oval. Here are some of the match highlights and an a preview of the second semi final between India and Bangladesh:
Winning the toss, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed put the England team in to bat first. Opener Jonny Bairstow made 43 off 57 and Alex Hales made 13 off 13.
England last their first wicket at the score of 34 and the Pakistani bowlers kept troubling the English batsmen; taking regular wickets and not letting the batsmen settle. Hasan Ali once again was the pick of the Pak bowlers with 3 wickets. ODI debutant Rumman Raees and Junaid Khan took two wickets each.
In spite of Joe Root making 46 off 56, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes chipping in with 33 and 34 respectively, the English total remained modest. The 211 they made always looked gettable and seemed to in no way intimidate the Pakistanis.
Openers Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman seemed to have a good grip on the situation, making 76 off 100 and 57 off 58 respectively. The score was 118 before the English managed to get their first wicket; by that time it already seemed too late.
Pakistan won easily in the end, losing just 2 wickets and with 77 balls to spare.
For yet another terrific spell with the ball, Hasan Ali was awarded the Player of the Match trophy.
Today is the day for the second semi final of the tournament where India and Bangladesh go head to head in a bid to decide who proceeds to the final at the Oval on Sunday. Bangladesh is a vastly improved side in recent times, having beaten New Zealand, and India would do well not to underestimate them in the slightest.
India are playing their sixth semi final in the last 7 ICC championships and are certainly favourites to win today. Bangladesh have not beaten India in a global tournament since 2007. One wonders if that works in our favour or whether the law of averages is set to catch up with us?
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