Published: Jun 12, 2017, 09:14 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 12, 2017, 03:24 PM (IST)
What goes around comes around. India beat Pakistan. Pakistan beat South Africa. South Africa beat Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka beat India. That was the scenario of Group B in ICC Champions Trophy 2017, before India locked horns with South Africa at The Oval. In a do-or-die contest, India emerged triumphant by 8 wickets and became the first team from the group to qualify for the semi-finals. Same will be the case for Pakistan and Sri Lanka when they face off at Cardiff, on Monday. Both teams, however, registered a win after tasting a defeat in their respective series openers, and will give their all to put the final nail in the coffin. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Match 12
Game plan
Pakistan were a different side altogether when they beat South Africa. They were uncharacteristically magnificent in the field. Their bowlers were unbelievably disciplined. And their batters were lucky that rain came to their rescue and reduced the target by DLS method. Nonetheless, they were at the doorstep of victory.
Above all, they got an opener they were perennially looking for. Fakhar Zaman, replacing Ahmed Shehzad, blasted 31 off 30 and set the chase ablaze. It was his brisk innings that instilled confidence in the fallible Pakistan side and that too against a formidable South Africa attack.
No doubt that hopes will be pinned on him yet again, but Pakistan middle order, comprising of Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfraz Ahmed, will have to collectively click. For that matter, they had added 63 runs combined against India in a colossal 319-run attack. However, they made amends in the next game, keeping a cool head in a modest chase.
After going for plenty against India, Hasan Ali ended with figures of 3 for 24 against South Africa. Imad Wasim, who had gone wicketless against India, ended with figures of 2 for 20. If anything, it was a contrasting performance. It also becomes discernible that you cannot predict the result of a match that features Pakistan in it. Having said that, Pakistan are unlikely to alter their winning combination.
Likely XI for Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Imad Wasim, Mohammad Aamer, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan
Sri Lanka managed only 203 in the pursuit of 300 against South Africa. They turned the tables in the next game, chasing down 322 against India. Again, a contrasting performance…
Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, and captain Angelo Mathews scored a fifty each. Against an attack who dismantled Pakistan and South Africa, Sri Lanka pulled off the unlikely. Nonetheless, injuries continue bothering them. Kusal Perera, who had retired hurt on 47 against India, has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, announcing Dhananjaya de Silva as his replacement. Though Dhananjaya is a handy all-rounder, Sri Lanka may pick Seekkuge Prasanna ahead of him.
Likely XI for Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews (c), Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Seekkuge Prasanna/Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep
Quote unquote
“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 opposition always think about. They never take us lightly.” – Mohammad Hafeez
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Haris Sohail, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Fahim Ashraf, Rumman Raees, Mohammad Aamer, Junaid Khan, Shadab Khan
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Asela Gunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Upul Tharanga
TIME: 10.30 Local time | 15.00 IST
