Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed led from the front as he smashed an unbeaten half-century to guide Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their do-or-die Champions Trophy fixture and eventually to the semi-finals here at the Sophia Gardens on Monday.

Chasing a target of 237 runs to win in the virtual quarterfinal clash, Pakistan held their nerve to come out victorious in this knockout encounter.

Pakistan made a great start to their innings with openers Azhar Ali (34) and Fakhar Zaman (50) stitching a crucial 75-run stand to provide their side to laid the platform.

However, Pakistan lost their next three batsmen in quick successions-Babar Azam (10), Mohammad Hafeez (one) and Shoaib Malik (11), who was playing his 250th ODI game.

Imad Wasim and Fahim Ashraf also got out cheaply for four and 15 runs respectively and it looked unlikely for Pakistan to cross the line after being reduced to 162-7.

But Sri Lanka&#39;s disintegrated fielding in the last 45 minutes with couple of dropped catches and Sarfraz subsequent half-century saw Pakistan book their place in the semi-finals.

Sarfraz struck an unbeaten 61-run knock off 79 balls besides sharing a pivotal partnership of 75 runs with fast bowler Mohammad Amir (unbeaten at 28) to help Pakistan chase down the target with 31 balls to spare.

Nuwan Pradeep was the pick of the bowlers for Lanka as he finished with the figures of three for 60 while Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal and Thisara Perera all chipped in with a wicket each.

Earlier, put in to bat first, the Angelo Mathews-led sidthey rope chugged and spluttered to a total of 236 after reducing to 167-7 at one point.

Lanka were cruising at 162 for three as Niroshan Dickwella (73) and Mathews (39) took the Pakistan bowlers to the cleaners by sharing a crucial 78-run stand for the fourth wicket.

However, Pakistan bowlers hit back and triggered a middle-order collapse before Asela Gunaratne (27) and Suranga Lakmal (26) tried to save the blushes for their side and guide them past 200-run mark.

Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali were the most economical bowlers for Pakistan as they bagged three wickets each. Mohamad Amir and Fahim Ashraf also contributed with two wickets.

Sarfraz was adjudged `Man of the Match` for his match-winning performance.

Pakistan will now take on hosts England in the first semi-finals at the same venue on Wednesday while the other last-four contest will see defending champions India taking on Bangladesh at Edgbaston a day after.

(ANI)

Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed smashed an unbeaten half-century to guide Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka

Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed led from the front as he smashed an unbeaten half-century to guide Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their do-or-die Champions Trophy fixture and eventually to the semi-finals here at the Sophia Gardens on Monday. Chasing a target of 237 runs to win in the virtual quarterfinal clash, Pakistan held their nerve to come out victorious in this knockout encounter. Pakistan made a great start to their innings with openers Azhar Ali (34) and Fakhar Zaman (50) stitching a crucial 75-run stand to provide their side to laid the platform. However, Pakistan lost their next three batsmen in quick successions-Babar Azam (10), Mohammad Hafeez (one) and Shoaib Malik (11), who was playing his 250th ODI game. Imad Wasim and Fahim Ashraf also got out cheaply for four and 15 runs respectively and it looked unlikely for Pakistan to cross the line after being reduced to 162-7. But Sri Lanka's disintegrated fielding in the last 45 minutes with couple of dropped catches and Sarfraz subsequent half-century saw Pakistan book their place in the semi-finals. Sarfraz struck an unbeaten 61-run knock off 79 balls besides sharing a pivotal partnership of 75 runs with fast bowler Mohammad Amir (unbeaten at 28) to help Pakistan chase down the target with 31 balls to spare. Nuwan Pradeep was the pick of the bowlers for Lanka as he finished with the figures of three for 60 while Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal and Thisara Perera all chipped in with a wicket each. Earlier, put in to bat first, the Angelo Mathews-led sidthey rope chugged and spluttered to a total of 236 after reducing to 167-7 at one point. Lanka were cruising at 162 for three as Niroshan Dickwella (73) and Mathews (39) took the Pakistan bowlers to the cleaners by sharing a crucial 78-run stand for the fourth wicket. However, Pakistan bowlers hit back and triggered a middle-order collapse before Asela Gunaratne (27) and Suranga Lakmal (26) tried to save the blushes for their side and guide them past 200-run mark. Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali were the most economical bowlers for Pakistan as they bagged three wickets each. Mohamad Amir and Fahim Ashraf also contributed with two wickets. Sarfraz was adjudged `Man of the Match` for his match-winning performance. Pakistan will now take on hosts England in the first semi-finals at the same venue on Wednesday while the other last-four contest will see defending champions India taking on Bangladesh at Edgbaston a day after. (ANI)

Champions Trophy: Captain Sarfraz powers Pakistan into semis

India is set to take on arch rival&nbsp;Pakistan in the Champions Trophy one-day cricket tournament on Sunday. The two are in a tough group with South Africa and Sri Lanka, so winning the ODI encounter will be crucial to qualify for the semi-finals. Captain Virat Kohli will no doubt feel the pressure on Sunday, so what can the history of&nbsp;India and Pakistan cricket rivalry tell us about who will win this weekend? WION uncovers the facts.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/infamous-odi-encounter-when-indian-skipper-bishen-bedi-conceded-a-match-to-pakistan-15954">India first played Pakistan in a one-day international on October 1</a>, 1978 in Quetta, Pakistan. India may have won that match by four runs, but Pakistan has&nbsp;been dominant since, winning 55% of the matches between the two sides.

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/dyWml1u.png" style="margin:0 auto;width: 350px;height:auto;" />

A lot of India-Pakistan matches have been very close, one of the closest being the recent clash&nbsp;on March 2, 2014 in the Asia Cup. India scored 245/8 but Pakistan scored 249/9 to win by one wicket with two balls to spare.

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/sPDsIKC.png" style="margin:0 auto;width: 350px;height:auto;" />

If we look at past matches, the team batting first has historically won more times.

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/buZfjQX.png" style="margin:0 auto;width: 350px;height:auto;" />

This will be the first India-Pakistan one-day match in two years, but there was a time in the late &#39;90s when India and Pakistan played each other at least seven times a year. We also see from the chart below how India has slowly started dominating Pakistan since the mid-2000s.

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/bYO0Ggm.png" style="margin:0 auto;width: 350px;height:auto;" />

India and Pakistan have played<a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/infamous-cricket-matches-between-india-and-pakistan-india-plays-in-virtual-darkness-at-sharjah-15900"> each other a lot outside the subcontinent, especially in the UAE.</a> Interestingly, they&#39;ve also played each other in Canada 16 times. This happened over a three-year period from 1996 to 1998 when the Canadian city Toronto was hosting an annual one-day series between the two countries.

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/YKzjrVm.png" style="margin:0 auto;width: 350px;height:auto;" />

(WION)

India will be playing Pakistan this weekend in a one-day match for the first time in two years. Here are some graphics to help you understand the history of this encounter.

India is set to take on arch rival Pakistan in the Champions Trophy one-day cricket tournament on Sunday. The two are in a tough group with South Africa and Sri Lanka, so winning the ODI encounter will be crucial to qualify for the semi-finals. Captain Virat Kohli will no doubt feel the pressure on Sunday, so what can the history of India and Pakistan cricket rivalry tell us about who will win this weekend? WION uncovers the facts. India first played Pakistan in a one-day international on October 1, 1978 in Quetta, Pakistan. India may have won that match by four runs, but Pakistan has been dominant since, winning 55% of the matches between the two sides. A lot of India-Pakistan matches have been very close, one of the closest being the recent clash on March 2, 2014 in the Asia Cup. India scored 245/8 but Pakistan scored 249/9 to win by one wicket with two balls to spare. If we look at past matches, the team batting first has historically won more times. This will be the first India-Pakistan one-day match in two years, but there was a time in the late '90s when India and Pakistan played each other at least seven times a year. We also see from the chart below how India has slowly started dominating Pakistan since the mid-2000s. India and Pakistan have played each other a lot outside the subcontinent, especially in the UAE. Interestingly, they've also played each other in Canada 16 times. This happened over a three-year period from 1996 to 1998 when the Canadian city Toronto was hosting an annual one-day series between the two countries. (WION)

Infographic: India-Pakistan ODIs since 1978

Pakistan test captain Misbah-ul-Haq will quit international cricket after the three-test series in West Indies beginning later this month, the veteran batsman announced on Thursday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) put Misbah in charge of the test team for the three matches in West Indies on Wednesday with chairman Shaharyar Khan making it clear that it would be the last series for the player, who turns 43 next month.

&quot;It will be my last series and I had conveyed this to the chairman (Pakistan Cricket Board) quite some time ago,&quot; Misbah told reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

&quot;I will try to finish it on a high note...There was no pressure on me,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s most successful test captain said, adding he initially wanted to quit after the 2015 series against England in the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan won 24 of its 53 test matches under Misbah and, for the first time, occupied the top test rankings last year before a dip in form set in.

Pakistan suffered six consecutive test defeats and lost series in New Zealand and Australia, which triggered speculation about Misbah&#39;s future as the test captain.

Admired for his unflappable temperament in a Pakistan dressing room teeming with mercurial talents, Misbah was handed the test captaincy after a 2010 spot-fixing scandal in England which led to a ban on, among others, predecessor Salman Butt.

Since his 2001 test debut in New Zealand, Misbah has gone on to make 4951 runs from 72 matches at a 45-plus average.

The top order batsman also played 162 one-dayers before quitting the format after the 2015 World Cup.

(Reuters)

Pakistan won 24 of its 53 test matches under Misbah-ul-Haqand and, for the first time, occupied the top test rankings last year for a period

Pakistan test captain Misbah-ul-Haq will quit international cricket after the three-test series in West Indies beginning later this month, the veteran batsman announced on Thursday. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) put Misbah in charge of the test team for the three matches in West Indies on Wednesday with chairman Shaharyar Khan making it clear that it would be the last series for the player, who turns 43 next month. "It will be my last series and I had conveyed this to the chairman (Pakistan Cricket Board) quite some time ago," Misbah told reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. "I will try to finish it on a high note...There was no pressure on me," Pakistan's most successful test captain said, adding he initially wanted to quit after the 2015 series against England in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan won 24 of its 53 test matches under Misbah and, for the first time, occupied the top test rankings last year before a dip in form set in. Pakistan suffered six consecutive test defeats and lost series in New Zealand and Australia, which triggered speculation about Misbah's future as the test captain. Admired for his unflappable temperament in a Pakistan dressing room teeming with mercurial talents, Misbah was handed the test captaincy after a 2010 spot-fixing scandal in England which led to a ban on, among others, predecessor Salman Butt. Since his 2001 test debut in New Zealand, Misbah has gone on to make 4951 runs from 72 matches at a 45-plus average. The top order batsman also played 162 one-dayers before quitting the format after the 2015 World Cup. (Reuters)

Pakistan captain Misbah to retire after West Indies series

Pakistan has always been known for producing aggressive and talented cricketers, and Shahid Afridi is perhaps the most popular and one of the best all-rounders in world cricket. Afridi - also known as &#39;Boom Boom&#39; for his instinctive&nbsp;big&nbsp;hitting - has been a nightmare for bowlers in the last two decades. &nbsp;

The Pakistani all-rounder has hit 476 sixes in all formats, most till now, leaving behind the likes of Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Yuvraj Singh.&nbsp;

And wait, it&#39;s not just&nbsp;the maximum number of sixes, Shahid Afridi also holds the record for the longest six in international cricket.&nbsp;

Here&#39;s how he did it: &nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-qt3XhL9x-Q" width="854"></iframe>

(WION)

One of the best all-rounders that Pakistan has ever produced, Shahid Afridi quit international cricket today

Pakistan has always been known for producing aggressive and talented cricketers, and Shahid Afridi is perhaps the most popular and one of the best all-rounders in world cricket. Afridi - also known as 'Boom Boom' for his instinctive big hitting - has been a nightmare for bowlers in the last two decades. The Pakistani all-rounder has hit 476 sixes in all formats, most till now, leaving behind the likes of Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Yuvraj Singh. And wait, it's not just the maximum number of sixes, Shahid Afridi also holds the record for the longest six in international cricket. Here's how he did it: (WION)

WATCH: 'Boom Boom' Afridi's longest SIXER

Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir, who spent time in jail and served a five-year ban for spot-fixing, will be able to handle the pressure of returning to England if he is granted a visa for their upcoming tour, said team mate Azhar Ali.

Amir was considered one of the most exciting fast bowlers in the world before a 2010 spot-fixing scandal that resulted in bans and jail sentences for him, former test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif.

The trio were cleared to return to the sport by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last September after serving suspensions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has requested a visa for Amir, who has already toured New Zealand for a limited over series, played in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh and featured in the World Twenty20 in India since serving his ban.

Azhar had offered his resignation as one-day captain when Amir was brought back into the Pakistan fold but is now keen to move on and says the team will support the 24-year-old quick if he needs it in England.

&quot;(What happened in) 2010 is in the past and now we need to look forward,&quot; Azhar told reporters on Tuesday.

&quot;It has been a while now since he has been with us. It could have been tough, had he come in straight on such a tour, but now, after playing with us for a long time, things have settled.

&quot;Even he isn&#39;t under pressure because he has already made his comeback a few months ago and the toughest phase is over for him,&quot; Azhar said.

&quot;I know England was the place where the incident happened but hopefully he can handle the pressure like he did on his comeback. But still if anything happens, we, as a team, will handle it.&quot;

Pakistan will play four tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 International in England between July 14 and September 7.

Azhar Ali gives his vote of confidence to Mohammad Amir ahead of the England tour

Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir, who spent time in jail and served a five-year ban for spot-fixing, will be able to handle the pressure of returning to England if he is granted a visa for their upcoming tour, said team mate Azhar Ali. Amir was considered one of the most exciting fast bowlers in the world before a 2010 spot-fixing scandal that resulted in bans and jail sentences for him, former test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif. The trio were cleared to return to the sport by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last September after serving suspensions. The Pakistan Cricket Board has requested a visa for Amir, who has already toured New Zealand for a limited over series, played in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh and featured in the World Twenty20 in India since serving his ban. Azhar had offered his resignation as one-day captain when Amir was brought back into the Pakistan fold but is now keen to move on and says the team will support the 24-year-old quick if he needs it in England. "(What happened in) 2010 is in the past and now we need to look forward," Azhar told reporters on Tuesday. "It has been a while now since he has been with us. It could have been tough, had he come in straight on such a tour, but now, after playing with us for a long time, things have settled. "Even he isn't under pressure because he has already made his comeback a few months ago and the toughest phase is over for him," Azhar said. "I know England was the place where the incident happened but hopefully he can handle the pressure like he did on his comeback. But still if anything happens, we, as a team, will handle it." Pakistan will play four tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 International in England between July 14 and September 7.

Pakistan's ODI skipper backs Amir in England return