ICC Champions Trophy 2017

[CerealKiller]

Sarfaraz got the MOM ahead of Amir? What a joke!

A joint award would have been fitting.

Is @CerealKiller in the ground? I think I just saw him.

Nah, i came back after the India match.

 

[SixerBoy11]

I wanted to see Haris Sohail in place of Hafeez against England

 

[Umair7]

If Pakistan play like they did today then England is going to destory them !!![DOUBLEPOST=1497289245][/DOUBLEPOST]

I wanted to see Haris Sohail in place of Hafeez against England

G.O.A.T WONT BE DROPPED [DOUBLEPOST=1497289297][/DOUBLEPOST]

Pakistan v Bangladesh final, it is going to be.

No Thank You !!

 

[CerealKiller]

 

[swacker]

From the internet :
View attachment 190761

Well, that was funny, until they qualified for semis

 

[Till Valhalla]

Seeing the performance of other Pakistani Batsmen, Azhar Ali's innings doesn't look bad.

 

[CerealKiller]

 

[asprin]

I've a feeling Sarfaraz-Amir pair are going to do it for Pakistan. The partnership is already 26 runs.

Ahem!

 

[cerande]

How well will you rate yesterday's batting from South Africa?

Well they were on course for a competitive total, before those 15 mins of Hara kiri in which those run outs happened. Then they just.. um melted. South Africa are a weird team that way.

Today's match was better from a neutral's standpoint though, teams trying to one up the other in terms of intent to lose.
I actually think somehow England are going to bungle up the semifinal.

 

[SaiSrini]

Pakistan must get ready to be eaten up by England. They won today, but they tried their very best to lose it from every single position. England won't be as forgiving as Sri Lanka (England is right now probably the most strongest ODI side in the world - what a terrific turnaround for them). And playing at their home ground, Pakistan should be ready for a mauling.

As for India-Bangladesh, India need to be anxious. Bangladesh faced us in the QF in 2015 WC and played competitive cricket. On a good batting surface, they can definitely take advantage of our bowling attack which is good but can wilt on a flat surface (as we showed against Sri Lanka). I am going to call this game a lottery. Anybody's game, which is a compliment and advantage for Bangladesh. I won't be surprised if Bangladesh reach the final. But my heart says an India-England final again, a repeat of 2013.

 

[thetruespiderman493]

Pakistan must get ready to be eaten up by England. They won today, but they tried their very best to lose it from every single position. England won't be as forgiving as Sri Lanka (England is right now probably the most strongest ODI side in the world - what a terrific turnaround for them). And playing at their home ground, Pakistan should be ready for a mauling.

Honestly, as long as Pakistan give England a fight till the last ball I would be happy. If Pakistan replace Hafeez with Harris Sohail I think Pakistan can give a good performance. But I also I'm guessing Eng vs Ind final.

 

[Velocity]

Even though that was an excellent comeback by Pakistan with both bat and ball, Sri Lanka have to only blame themselves for this defeat. At 161/3, 280 or 290 was certainly on the cards. They fell 50 runs short definitely. But Junaid Khan bowled superbly today. Pakistan were shaky in that run chase, and if one of those catches of Malinga were taken, SL would've won. Batting and fielding errors caused this defeat. Pakistan will have to do something special to defeat England. Their batting order is weak, changes need to be made. I think there are some positives SL can take from this competition. They've got the batsmen, bowlers. They need to find a setitled combination which is what they've struggled with since Sanga and Mahela went. Apart from that, I fancy a India/England final. But who will win the trophy is too close to call.

 

[Perfect Square]

Right now England is clearly no 1 side of ODI on home conditions. I'm sure if Pakistani bowlers bowled the way they bowled against South Africa and Sri Lanka today. Pakistan have really good chance to restrict them around 250 if Pak bowl first. But, there batting is big concern. Pakistan really would need to play their best out of best to win the match. If one of top 3 batsmen of Pakistan score a century and Sarfraz and Malik click with the bat. I'm sure Pakistan has chance to score or chase 300.

The last ODI that Pakistan played against England was in Cardiff in which Pakistan chased 300+ In that match Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed putted up 150+ partnership I think and won the game for Pakistan. Like I said for Pakistan Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed will be the key players with the bat. If they click we can score big.

 

[Rehan_24]

Congratulations Team Pakistan! A Fighting knock by Sarfraz Ahmed and Aamir. Captains Inning by far, Took the pressure on him and delivered a classy inning. SL ground fielding was miserable but it is as they say fortune favors the brave so it favored Sarfraz. So, Pakistan through to Semi-Finals. First and foremost, Its a huge credit to the side who was searching for his World Cup Qualification a few months back and infact CT qualification too. Beating down the No. 1 side in the word SA with the classy bowling shows the bowling shades of the golden era in the form of Junaid and Aamir, So does it in this game as well.

I don't think so anyone should have doubt now that who's bowling skills and level is more potent, Its just a matter of utilization of bowlers and picking the right talent. Junaid and Aamir combo is lethal and it is a warning to the international sides in matches to come Insha'ALLAH

Junaid though after knee injury got his pace cut out from 145 avg to 133, but his yorkers, commitment and line length is still exceptional. He would run through any international side on a swing supportive wicket. Love this guy. But the one bowler who is coming out as leader in Pak bowling lineup is Hasan Ali. Watch out for him, He is ever improving, I would love to see Kholi facing him soon if we Qualify to Finals.

As for the match, Sarfraz ground captaincy has some serious question marks, His bowling changes are not good and he doesn't go for the kill, The sad part is that senior players are kind of forbidden by the management not to give much suggestions/advice. He will learn by experience but it is hurting the side in the tournament. Same mistakes have been repeated in all three matches Ind/SA/SL. Anyway, He compensated that with his brilliant batting under pressure and his aggression was worth the watch at the climax of match.

Azhar Ali as told always, is the huge burden on the side. The opening pair makes or breaks the innings, I believe seriously that today collapse blame goes to Azhar Ali more because of his very slow test match like innings of the 90's era. He build pressure on Babar Azam, Fakhar and Hafeez due to his sluggish batting. He was simply plain sluggish ODI batsmen.

In the semis, I don't think so we got much to loose as we are already come a good way through fighting hard post the India match. I'd suggest bring Shehzad back in place of Azhar and induct Shadab Khan in place of Hafeez. Go the aggressive way, England always face difficulties with quality leg spinners and Shadab can do damage, plus he can bat, Hafeez is useless and out of form.[DOUBLEPOST=1497300169][/DOUBLEPOST]

Step by step. Sri Lanka first!

So Srilanka down and out, Who's Next mate?

 

[AliB]

So Srilanka down and out, Who's Next mate?

England, and that'll be it.