CT 2017, Match 12, Pakistan v Sri Lanka: CT Player of the Match - Sarfraz Ahmed

The shocking blunders were only surpassed by the telling emotions in the second virtual quarter-final of Group B between Asian giants Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Amidst the erroneous cricket being played at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, one man kept his nerve, huffed and puffed and pushed and fought, but eventually dragged Pakistan into the semi-final.

In all its glorious years of existence, the game of cricket perhaps hasn’t seen a captain’s innings as vital as Sarfraz Ahmed’s. Arms outstretched and letting out a scream of relief, Sarfraz dashed towards his partner Mohammad Amir at the other end – emotions which summed up the struggle Pakistan underwent to seal their spot in the semi-final.

Pakistan get off to a flyer

Although it was a pressure game for both the teams, 237 wasn’t supposed to be a challenging target for the Green Shirts. Moreover, Pakistan looked like they were going to cruise home, given that debutant Fakhar Zaman smashed a disdainful 36-ball 50. With Pakistan however, a blotched chase is often on the cards. Their sparkling start soon turned into a gloomy phase of 8 overs with Pakistan crumbling from 74 for no loss to 110/4. Azhar Ali had to make the long walk back to the dressing room after a patient 34, leaving the experienced Shoaib Malik at the crease. The man who marched out though was the skipper Sarfraz Ahmed.

The picture did not get any prettier for Pakistan. Mix-ups, probable direct hits missed by inches, and balls nearly chipping to short-midwicket – it was all happening in Cardiff. In a matter of another 10 overs, they slumped to 162/7. Sarfraz watched in dismay as batsmen came and went, while he stood helplessly at the non-striker’s end. Pakistan predictably collapsed, but an unpredictable passage of play followed, led by unpredictable batting by Mohammad Amir and equally unpredictable fielding by the Sri Lankans.

Sarfraz Ahmed lives to tell the tale, twice

Following Fahim Ashraf’s dismissal, the fours had dried up for a span of 7 overs, until Sarfraz timed one perfectly to the third man boundary. It was even-stevens at that stage with Pakistan needing 44 off 12 overs, and Sri Lanka 3 wickets away from a spot in the semis. The defining moment of Sri Lanka’s exhibition of fielding lapses came in the 39th over. Malinga outfoxed Sarfraz with a slower one, and the batsman generously chipped it to mid-on.

Thisara Perera positioned exactly where the ball travelled, almost chested it like a footballer would, thus making a mess of the easiest of catches. Lanka’s champion bowler, who is usually all smiles in the toughest of moments, was rightfully livid.

The scenario repeated itself in Malinga’s very next over, Seekkuge Prasanna, the substitute fielder being the culprit this time. Indeed it was a tough chance, but Sri Lanka couldn’t afford to drop Pakistan’s last recognised batsman when the equation didn’t side them. Having survived two scares, Sarfraz must have thought that he is certainly destined to take Pakistan home this evening.

Thus, he broke the shackles, punishing Lakmal for two boundaries in the same over. The skipper brought up a valuable fifty with the second of the two fours, and Pakistan were 20 away from a historic victory.

Scampers for singles pushes for twos and a couple of extras were all that Pakistan needed to get the handful of runs left. Sarfraz fittingly hit the winning runs, and it was that man Lasith Malinga who was at the receiving end of a heart-breaking moment for Sri Lanka.

The skipper was visibly exhausted, more so because he had to shoulder the entire responsibility of the team’s batting after they were reduced to 162/7. Mohammad Amir deserved credit as well, for sensibly standing his ground and supporting his captain from the other end.

The winner was essentially the team which played the less bad cricket. There were errors, plenty of them, from both teams. Sarfraz, however, grabbed the opportunities he was offered and made Sri Lanka pay for their mistakes. Sarfraz showed how well he can handle such situations, which perhaps explains why he bats so low. All said and done, he played a knock that exuded patience, resilience, and calm. His willingness to endure at the crease took Pakistan to an unpredictable victory.

Sarfraz is thus CricTracker player of the match.