Top 5 ODIs of 2017

#4 Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Champions Trophy (Cardiff)

Skipper Sarfraz batted superbly to take Pakistan into the semi-final.

The last game of the Champions Trophy was to decide the last semi-finalist (with England, India and Bangladesh already qualified). Surprisingly, it was the underdog teams – Sri Lanka and Pakistan battling it out for the final spot.

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start as they suffered heavy losses against India and South Africa respectively. However, a win for both teams in their next game (Sri Lanka against India and Pakistan against South Africa) gave them hope.

Pakistan continued the trend of bowling first after winning the toss. However, Sri Lanka got off to a good start and were well placed at 161/3 in the 32nd over before the Pakistani pacers brought the latter back in the game. The Lankans slipped from 161/3 to 167/7 before ending up with 236.

Given Pakistan’s history with chases, Sri Lanka would’ve believed there was a big chance. And they truly were right in the game, and in fact, ahead at one point in time. Pakistan wasted a brilliant start as they slipped from 74/0 to 137/6. The run-rate wasn’t much of an issue as 100 runs were required with about 24 overs to go.

This 137/6 soon became 162/7 and Sri Lankan hopes grew. With 75 to get and 3 wickets in hand, The Lankans were favourites. However, aided by some poor and sloppy fielding by Sri Lanka, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed took Pakistan over the finish line. He scored a well-timed and a patient 61 to help his team qualify for the semis.

Sri Lanka would rue the fact that they dropped two catches and both times Sarfraz was the batsman. Thisara Perera dropped a sitter at mid-on in the 39th over with 43 runs still required. And another one went down in the 41st over and this time it was the substitute fielder Seekkuge Prasanna giving Sarfraz another life.

However, the way momentum of the game swung, it brought life to a rather sedate Champions Trophy. Pakistan then went onto to defy odds and win the Champions Trophy and if you look back it was this game that gave them the required momentum.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 236 (Dickwella 73, Junaid 3-40, Hasan 3-43, Amir 2-53) lost to Pakistan 237 for 7 (Sarfraz 61*, Zaman 50, Pradeep 3-60, Lakmal 1/48)