Pakistan call on spirit of ’92

OUTSIDERS Pakistan are banking on their unpredictability playing its part as they vie for the right to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals.

In a competition that has made a mockery of the existing world order, either Pakistan or Sri Lanka will feature in Wednesday’s last-four contest in Cardiff.

And the two Asian rivals square up today in the Welsh capital for that right, with the Pakistanis looking to emulate their predecessors of a quarter of a century ago by winning a global trophy against the odds.

‘I have always been a fan of that tag of an ‘‘unpredictable team’’,’ said Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez.

‘I think that the first time it was given to the Pakistan team was when we won the 1992 World Cup.’

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have overcome setbacks to find themselves in a shoot-out for the last four. Upul Tharanga remains banned for a slow overrate as stand-in captain, and Kusal Perera was injured in the stunning win over India and is set to be replaced by Dhananjaya de Silva.