Pakistan are taking on Sri Lanka in a riveting all-Asian quarter final. Pakistan won the toss and judiciously chose to bowl first. Sri Lanka got off to a steady start but soon lost Gunathilaka for 13 runs. It was Dickwella’s knock with Kusal Mendis and Angelo Matthews that got the Lankans on track. Dickwella scored 73 and Matthews scored 39. But what caught our attention was a moment when Sarfaraz Ahmed the captain of Pakistan gathered and edge of Gunaratne, which was not out as he has not caught the ball cleanly. He had dropped it and the first video did not spot that, but the other angle from the other end showed that it was not out.
As we speak, Lankans are reeling at 184 for 7 at the 40th over mark. Junaid Khan and Mohammad Amir were the pick of the bowlers, Amir picked 2 and Junaid bagged 3 along with Hassan Ali to restrict Sri Lanka to 236 in 50 overs. They will need 237 to win the match. Twitter has already hailed Sarfaraz Ahmed as a cheat for his action on the field. He should not have claimed the catch if he had not taken it cleanly or should have asked the umpire to ask for the third umpire to confirm.
Sri Lanka’s middle order collapse means they reach only 236 v Pakistan – will they be able to defend it for a semi-final spot? #SLvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/s4db3lMc0q
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2017
Dickwella, meanwhile was the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka, he scored 73 runs and Angelo Matthews scored 39 and fell when he was looking all set and ready to accelerate.
Whoever wins this game they sail through to the semis where they play England. India will be playing their semis against neighbors Bangladesh.
