MOSTLY our dreams turn to dust. Sometimes, in periods of intoxicating magic, dust is transformed into the stuff of dreams.

Such is the inexplicable appearance of Pakistan in the semi-finals of this year’s Champions Trophy. England, their next opponents in Cardiff, will be shaking in their boots, for how do you stop a team that offers itself to lose yet still keeps winning?

Well placed to saunter into the semi-final chasing a modest total of 237 on a benign track, first Pakistan’s middle-order succumbed to nerves by slipping inexplicably to 137 for 6, and then Sarfraz Ahmed did his best to end his own captain’s innings by lobbing a gentle chance to Thisara Perera at mid-on. Sri Lanka’s hefty paceman fumbled the ball like a piping hot paratha.

Sarfraz was on 38, Pakistan still 43 runs short of victory. With two more to his name, Sarfraz half-pulled a greasier laddoo to backward square-leg where it was grassed again. Sri Lanka were now fielding abysmally, like men on full stomachs, creating moments of comedy that befit a nation with such a jolly national anthem.

Importantly, they declined Pakistan’s free ticket to the next round, much to the delight of Pakistan’s players and the greater merriment of many thousands of supporters in the stands.

Of course, this is only half the truth. Amid the buffoonery, Pakistan produced some surprisingly wonderful cricket, not least the penetration of their pace bowlers and the panache of Fakhar Zaman at the top of the batting order.

It was the first significant victory of Sarfraz’s forming captaincy, and he played his part with a strong personal performance, including a brilliant one-handed catch off Amir. Sarfraz himself guided the winning runs to third man and set off on a victory run around the square, arms outstretched, and a smile presumably visible from the moon.

Pakistan’s middle order fell away after some early firecrackers from Fakhar, scoring a fifty off only 34 balls. He was sensibly supported by Azhar Ali, who did his best to urge a lengthy innings from his junior partner. This new opening partnership is full of promise, the stylish aggression of Fakhar combined with Azhar’s steadier and improving one-day game.

But Pakistan will be concerned that as one problem finds an end, another brings them to their knees. The middle-order looks light, failing twice in three outings. A third embarrassment might have come too had rain not intervened against South Africa. A middle order of Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik. Sarfraz Ahmed, and Imad Wasim is as low on genuine quality as Pakistan has fielded.

It is a bigger problem still since Babar Azam is learning his trade at number three, and all these batsman are less adept at modern one-day batting than their international counterparts.

Take Sri Lanka, for example. Faced with a dangerous bowling attack, far more so than their own, Sri Lanka’s batsmen built their total with expert placement and quicksilver running. Pakistan’s bowlers offered impressive control but the Sri Lankans nudged and nurdled their way to a solid base from which to reach three hundred.

Pakistan’s bowlers, however, were determined not to let Sri Lanka off the leash as they had done with India. This attack is a happy mix of frugality and danger, a reflection of the work being done behind the scenes by the bowlers and coaching staff.

Amir, Junaid Khan, and Hasan Ali each play their part. Hasan, albeit the junior partner, is the most energised, fast walking back to his mark, celebrating each wicket with the flourish of a big boss delivering a knockout blow. As things stand, Pakistan’s bowling is a wicket-taking spinner short of being complete.

Improvements have come too in fielding. A general athleticism and willingness to attack the ball are several notches above last year. Individual errors are still too commonplace but the effect of Mickey Arthur is evident in the subtle but significant progress. These advances leave the failing middle-order exposed, and it continues to fall backwards.

Batting is the skill that requires most long-term planning, structure, and a challenging domestic game. It is especially true of limited overs batting, which is a product of intensive training and player development. And here is where Pakistan plod on with players, as earnest as they might be, whose dreams are now dust. The excuse is that there are no alternatives, but it is the plausibility of that excuse that begs a fundamental question of the cricket board.

England are clear favourites for the semi-final but Pakistan may be in one of those rare moments when circumstances and Lady Luck conspire in their favour. Batting frailties will be hard to overcome but with a bowling attack in such a big boss groove, Pakistan will believe that another upset is in their hands.

Tomorrow may bring dreams or dust but it is a relief to see Pakistan challenge again in a major international tournament.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2017