CT 2017, Match 12, SL v PAK Preview: Less fancied teams fight for a semi-final spot

It might be the last group game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 but it is a critical clash which will decide the fourth semi-finalist. Before the start of the tournament, nobody would have bet on this group game to carry so much essence. Both sides are ranked No. 7 and No. 8 in the ICC ODI rankings.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan caused massive upsets when they beat India and South Africa respectively to bring this otherwise sedate and rain hit Champions Trophy alive. Due to their victory, it has put India and South Africa under immense pressure and both sides will now play against each other in a virtual knockout game on Sunday. Sri Lanka were clinical against defending champions India. Chasing a colossal target of 322, the Islanders never looked in any sort of trouble as they raced through to the target with 7 wickets in hand and 8 balls to spare. They now need to repeat the same performance against their sub-continent rivals, Pakistan.

After a rather harebrained performance against long time rivals India, Pakistan shocked everyone by defeating South Africa in the next game to throw the group wide open. Their bowlers stuck to the task and the chase was right up to the mark until the rain arrived. They were later awarded the game as they were 19 runs ahead of the D/L target at that point in the game. Sarfaraz needs to motivate his boys because a game against an in-form Sri Lankans won’t be easy. They have perennially done well in ICC events post 2007 but nobody thought that they could do well this time. They were like cornered tigers who raised to the occasion at The Oval against a much-fancied side India. Pakistan has to get their A game to the Sophia Gardens in order to get a berth in the semifinals.

Toss: Pakistan won the toss and opted to field

Sarfraz Ahmed: We will bowl first today. There is some moisture on the pitch. Because of the pitch Fahim Ashraf is playing and Shadab Khan is not playing. The small boundaries is also one of the reasons to play four seamers. It is an important game for and hopefully we will win and qualify for the semifinal.

Angelo Mathews: I would have definitely had a bowl first as well. Overcast conditions, little bit of grass and we are also playing four seamers. We have got a few injury concerns, but we have managed to get everyone else on the park, apart from the Kusal Perera, who has gone back home. He’s (Thisara Perera) fine. I am fine. It was a brilliant performance and a collective effort, but it is done and dusted, it is history now and we have to look forward to this game.

Playing XI

Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella(w), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews(c), Asela Gunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w/c), Fahim Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali

Focus will be on

Angelo Mathews

Mathews played his first international game after a gap of 10 months. Injuries haven’t been kind on the Sri Lankan skipper. He did make a brief appearance in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils but his stint was construed to just three games. After missing the first group game, where Sri Lanka suffered a huge loss, Mathews was back in action in the significant clash against India. His neat, calm and composed unbeaten 52 was the perfect innings his side needed at that point in time. He brought experience and calmness to the proceedings at a time Sri Lanka needed it the most. Mathews brings a lot to the middle order of his side. He is one of the better-limited overs middle order batsman going around in world cricket. His proficiency of nudging the ball in the gas for the ones and twos is excellent. The 30-year old uses his bottom hand to good effect for smashing bowlers over midwicket and long-on for sixes. Mathews will again hold the key to this crunch game.

Babar Azam

A lot has been spoken about Azam ever since he equalled the record of the fastest player to reach 1,000 runs in ODI cricket. Azam has a staunch defence and a lot of enterprising strokes which has brought him success in this format. After failing to get going in the marquee clash against India, Babar did a fantastic job of remaining unbeaten on 31 against South Africa before the rain intervened. The 22-year old held one end up and batted with a lot of assurance against a quality pace attack of the Proteas. The No. 3 will be the key batsman in the Pakistan side for this game and will hold the responsibility of anchoring the innings. Babar is someone who can play the long innings whilst the rest bat around him. Big stage calls for big performances from players of substance and this is Babar’s chance to shine in a mega event.

Team Combinations:

Sri Lanka

Injury to Kusal Perera is a big blow for Sri Lanka but they have enough players in their squad to replace the left-hander. Dhananjaya de Silva or Seekkuge Prasanna might replace him in the XI. The rest of the line-up will be the same. Last match’s hero Gunathilaka along with Dickwella will open the innings Mendis will follow at one drop. Chandimal and Mathews will take care of the middle order. All-rounder Thisara Perera, Gunaratne and Dhananjaya will have to throw their bats in order to get quick runs. Malinga, Pradeep and Lakmal will lead the pace bowling attack.

Pakistan

Pakistan is expected to retain their XI of the South Africa game. Fakhar Zaman, who did well on his debut, will open the innings alongside Azhar Ali. Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik have crucial roles to play in the middle order and will have to bat according to the situation of the game. All are good players of spin and can manoeuvre the ball in the gaps to pick the ones and the twos. Sarfaraz and Imad Wasim bring power to the batting order and can make an impact with their lusty hits at the end of an innings. The bowlers, who did exceeding well in the last game, will be the same: Junaid Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali.

Stat Attack:

55 – runs required by Hafeez to go past Rameez Raja’s tally of ODI runs of 5841 runs. Hafeez will burst into the top ten run-getters in ODI cricket from Pakistan.

250 – Shoaib Malik will become the 10th cricketer from Pakistan to play 250 ODI games.

55 – runs required by Kusal Mendis to complete 1,000 ODI runs He will be the 30th Sri Lankan to do that.