Fakhar batted like a champion, gushes Sarfraz
Pakistan barely made it to the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. It qualified as the last team, and the expectations from it were so negligible that Sarfraz Ahmed, the captain, own admitted that it had nothing to lose as it was ranked so low anyway.
The expectations hit an all-time low after Pakistan lost its first match to India without much of a fight.
Since then, Pakistan has managed to stun the world’s No. 1-ranked side and the tournament favourite. Between the two big wins, it also sneaked past Sri Lanka.
Now, Pakistan is in the final, waiting for either India or Bangladesh to join it.
SF1 - ENG vs PAK - Sarfraz Press Conference
“Nobody recognised us, nobody thought we'll qualify for the final,” said Sarfraz Ahmed on Wednesday after defeating England in the first semi-final in Cardiff. “Credit to the team and the team management for how we came back after the loss to India.
“After the first loss, we were very down. But the team management boosted us really well. After the India match, we just motivated the guys. We told them ‘don't worry about the India match – this is gone, we have two matches; if we play good cricket, definitely we will win this tournament’. Now we are in the final. I’m very happy as a captain.”
The crucial aspect of Pakistan’s rise is that the victories have been scripted, in the main, by the newcomers. Pakistan has handed debuts to three players in the tournament: Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf and Rumman Raees, and each one of them have performed. Apart from the trio, the likes of Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan too have been impressive, pleasing their captain.
FIFTY: Fakhar Zaman brings up his half-century for Pakistan
“I'm very happy about my youngsters performing,” said Sarfraz. “How much ever I praise them, it won't do justice. Credit to the selectors for picking them after seeing them in domestic cricket and PSL. But more importantly credit to the players because they played under pressure in such a big event. Shadab, Fakhar ... Hasan is improving day by day. Rumman played because Amir was unfit and did well. Today Fakhar Zaman, he played his third match but is batting just like a champion batsman. So I'm really happy about his performance.
“Credit to the youngsters for performing on their first big tournament. It's a good sign for Pakistan's future that whichever youngster is coming in, he's performing well.”
Sarfraz said the pitch was good for both teams and added that Pakistan didn’t expect England to fold for 210.
“Actually, I didn’t expect that we’ll bowl them out 210,” he said. “Yesterday we came here, and we saw the wicket. We had a meeting and we thought if we won the toss we will elect to bowl first and restrict them 260 or 270. That's why the target was easy for us.
#CT17 SF1 - Eng v Pak: Openers give Pakistan a steady start
“Credit goes to the bowlers. They bowled really well especially in the middle part, starting with Shadab. He took Joe Root and then Hasan came in and he took wickets. Then Junaid Khan, Rumman Raees … all credit goes to the bowlers.”
Pakistan, though, might have some injury concerns, especially to the bowlers. It was already without Mohammad Amir for Wednesday’s game, and afterwards, there were worries over Hasan Ali and Imad Wasim too.
Sarfraz hoped all of them would be fit for the final on June 18.
“I think Hasan had a little bit of a shin problem, but he's okay and bowling extremely well for us. Imad Wasim has (struggled) a little bit with a calf injury but I think he was okay. Amir obviously is our best strike bowler and hopefully he will recover.”