London : Sarfraz Ahmed played a captain’s knock of 61 not out as Pakistan registered a come from behind win over Sri Lanka to make it to the semifinals of ICC Champions Trophy on Monday. Chasing a modest target of 237, Pakistan at one point were reeling at 137 for 6 in 25.4 overs, but Sarfraz stitched a 75-run stand with Mohammad Amir (28*) to help his team beat Sri Lanka by three wickets.
Pakistan started off well with opener Fakhar Zaman scoring a maiden fifty and at the end of 15 overs they were well in control of the chase at 90 for 1. But Sri Lanka did well to claw back into the game with quick wickets, leaving Pakistan in a spot of bother.
Moreover, the sloppy fielding also has to be blamed when Lasith Malinga was twice denied the wicket of Sarfraz after fielders put him down. After those two reprieves, Sarfraz kept a calm head and took Pakistan over the line in 44.5 overs.
With this win, Pakistan have eased into the semis and play England in the last four on June 14.
Earlier, Pakistan seamers put up a splendid show with the ball as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 236 in 49.2 overs. Junaid Khan (3-40), Hasan Ali (3-43), Amir (2-53) and debutant Fahim Ashraf (2-37) ran through a formidable batting line-up to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total.
For Sri Lanka, Niroshan Dickwella (73) top-scored and along with skipper Angelo Mathews (39) stitched a 78-run partnership before the collapse was triggered by Junaid and Amir.
After the dismissals of Dickwella and Mathews, Sri Lanka looked getting bundled out under 200 but Suranga Lakmal (26) and Asela Gunaratne (27) put up a crucial 46-run stand for the eighth wicket which helped them to post 236 on the board.