ICC Champions Trophy: Semi-final 1: Disciplined Pakistan bundle England out for 211

Cardiff, June 14: Pakistan bowlers put up a quality display and restricted England to 211 runs in 49.5 overs in the first semi-final match of the Champions Trophy cricket tournament at the Sophia Gardens here on Wednesday (June 14).

Pacer Hasan Ali scalped three wickets for 35 runs while Juniad Khan and debutant Rumman Raees chipped in with two wickets each.

For England, Joe Root (46), Jonny Bairstow (43) and Ben Stokes (34) were the major contributors to the cause.

England, who were brilliant in the group stages, wasted a steady start, thanks to Pakistani bowlers, who were right on the coin throughout the match. England's ploy to bring back Bairstow in place of Jason Roy clicked but some poor middle-order batting saw Pakistani players dominating the hosts.

World No.8 Pakistan, however, were seen struggling in the fielding initially but soon fielders



pulled up their socks and took some good catches in the middle to deny England scope to post a challenging total.

Jonny Bairstow has come in for England in place of out-of-form Jason Roy. While in-form pacer Mohammed Amir is out of Pakistan's squad today at the Cardiff Wales Stadium.

Amir has suffered a back spasm and is replaced by Rumman Raees, while legspinner Shadab Khan comes in for Faheem Ashraf.

England would now hope to restrict a spirited Pakistan to as low as possible to win the match.

Playing XIs:

England: Jonny Bairstow, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Jos Buttler(WK), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood, Jake Ball.

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (C & WK), Imad Wasim, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan