Dropped catch costs Sri Lanka semi-final spot

Sport

Pakistan overcame a familiar attack of batting nerves to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in a see-saw Group B game at Sophia Gardens to set up a Champions Trophy semi-final with hosts England.

Pakistan looked to have thrown away their victory chance at several points on Monday as their batsmen's fallibility before the short-pitched ball prompted an astonishing collapse from 0-74 to 7-162, AAP reported.

But captain Sarfraz Ahmed steadied the innings, steering them home to 7-237 in the 45th over with a match-winning innings of 61 from 79 balls.

However Sri Lanka had a golden opportunity to seal victory when Sarfraz was on 38.

The wicketkeeper chipped a Lasith Malinga delivery straight to mid-on, but the fielder put down one of the simplest catches you're ever likely to see.

Sarfraz made Sri Lanka pay with his match-winning effort, and Pakistan will rue the drop for a long time.