England vs Pakistan, Highlights, Champions Trophy 2017 cricket result: Pak stun England, advance into final

England captain, Eoin Morgan: One thing we didn’t do was adapt to conditions. Pakistan did that well and played better. We did prepare, but Pakistan bowled well and we didn’t adjust and 200 isn’t competitive, 250-270 would have been a good score. We bowled okay but 200 was well under par. We continue to learn, everything we did was calculated, but Pakistan had played on the wicket previously and that helped. You have to adapt in knockout cricket, so it’s an important lesson.

Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed: We bowled very well and after that the batting was good too. Mohammad Amir wasn’t playing but Raees came in and did well. We elected to bowl and chase again. After India, every game was a knockout game, I said to the players to just play your game. (What if they meet India in the final) All the best to both teams, they are playing well, so we will play whoever gets through. (On Hasan Ali’s performance) He’s very impressive, hopefully he will do that in the final. Whenever he comes on he’s getting wickets.

Fair to say Pakistan fans are enjoying this win! #CT17 #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/4sfwiBlEZ6

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 14, 2017

Hasan Ali becomes the first Pakistani player to win two Man of the Match awards in a single edition of ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan’s ICC ODI tournaments finals:

Benson and Hedges World Cup,1992
ICC World Cup,1999
ICC Champions Trophy,2017*

Hasan Ali, Man of the Match: (As said to the translator) First of all, thanks to Allah that we have qualified. I bowled the same way I did against South Africa. I couldn’t finish off my overs against India but Azhar Mehmood told me the plans and those are working today. Morgan’s wicket was my favourite.

This is the first time Pakistan will play in ICC Champions Trophy final match. They lost three semi-finals before today in ICC Champions Trophy.

That’s it, England are out of their own tournament after a fairly abysmal overall performance in this semi-final. Not many would have predicted that at the start of the day. Pakistan bowled brilliantly and batted assuredly – India or Bangladesh await in the final on Sunday.

Is this the most historic turnaround in Pakistan’s cricket history after the 1992 World Cup? Not only were they ranked number 8 out of 8, they also looked completely off colour in that opening game against India. There was talk in the innings break about why ICC was using an old pitch for this game. Pakistan’s batting hasn’t made this pitch look like the minefield that England thought it was. Give credit where it’s due: Pakistan were beyond exceptional with the ball, the captaincy was absolutely on point and Pakistan looked like a side wanting to win today. 

This is Pakistan cricket. Make of it what you want to. Being a Pakistani supporter is fun and you won’t trade it for anything in the world.

Pakistan stun England in the first semi-final, win by eight wickets, and qualify for the final of Champions Trophy 2017. The winning runs come off Mohammad Hafeez’s blade as he pulls it to the square leg fence for a boundary.

After 37 overs,Pakistan 211/2 ( Babar Azam 38 , Mohammad Hafeez 27)

FOUR! FOUR! off the first and the fourth delivery. Hafeez scores both of them. He takes a single off the fifth ball. Pakistan need 1 run.

After 36 overs,Pakistan 202/2 ( Babar Azam 38 , Mohammad Hafeez 18)

15 off Ben Stokes’ 3rd over! Pakistan 10 runs away from the final berth.

FOUR! Half volley from Stokes. Babar Azam creams it through covers for a boundary. Pakistan need 12

SIX! Morgan makes a mistake in setting the field and Ben Stokes pays for it. He concedes a Free Hit and Mohammad Hafeez flat-pulls him over long on for a maximum.

After 35 overs,Pakistan 187/2 ( Babar Azam 33 , Mohammad Hafeez 10)

Pakistan firmly in the driver’s seat. Nothing can take away the spot in the final from them now. 4 runs off Ball’s 8th over.

After 34 overs,Pakistan 183/2 ( Babar Azam 32 , Mohammad Hafeez 7)

A single followed by four dots and missed stumping and a six. On the fifth ball, Hafeez came down the track with no proper intent and missed the ball. However Buttler fails to collect it and misses an opportunity. Wouldn’t have mattered much though. 29 runs needed.

SIX! Hafeez stands tall and slams Adil Rashid over long off for half a dozen.

After 33 overs,Pakistan 176/2 ( Babar Azam 31 , Mohammad Hafeez 1)

Pakistan in no hurry whatsoever. No close-in fielders seemed to have no impact on the Pakistan batsmen. 3 runs off the over.

England have their second scalp but it’s all too late, surely not even Pakistan can mess it up from here. It’s been an uncharacteristically calm and composed performance from Pakistan and England have been completely outplayed.

Just 39 more to go with 8 in hand. History – Pakistani batting history to be specific – will tell us it’s not over till it’s over. But it feels like Pakistan have this in the bag. Who can explain this? No amount of stats, numbers and modern-day cricket lectures can explain this. It is what it is and it happened when it mattered.

OUT! No need for Azhar Ali to do that! He comes down the ground to pull but chops it onto the sticks. He departs for a well-made 76.

After 32 overs,Pakistan 173/1 ( Azhar Ali 76 , Babar Azam 30)

Rashid continues. Four dots, a single and three runs off this over.

After 31 overs,Pakistan 169/1 ( Azhar Ali 73 , Babar Azam 29)

Pakistan need 46 runs off 20 overs and they score three runs off this over.

After 30 overs,Pakistan 166/1 ( Azhar Ali 72 , Babar Azam 27)

Adil Rashid bowls five dot balls in his 8th over. But the only ball off which he concedes runs goes for three runs.

After 29 overs,Pakistan 163/1 ( Azhar Ali 72 , Babar Azam 24)

Sambit Bal, Editor of ESPN Cricinfo, sums it up the best: I think it’s safe to say this now: even Pakistan batting can’t mess this up from here. 2 singles off the first five balls followed by a boundary.

FOUR! You pitch it up and I will punish you. Babar Azam drives an overpitched delivery down the ground for a boundary.

After 28 overs,Pakistan 157/1 ( Azhar Ali 67 , Babar Azam 23)

This is sensible from Babar and Azhar. Respecting good balls and putting away bad ones. Rashid drops one short, Babar pulls it through mid-wicket for four. He is beaten one ball later but blocks the rest two solidly.

After 27 overs, Pakistan 152/1 ( Azhar Ali 67 , Babar Azam 19)

Nothing going England’s way. Babar pulls one but gets a top edge which falls short of the deep square leg. Azhar then steals a couple through deep mid-wicket. Plunkett hits back to bowl four dot balls. 3 runs off the over.

After 26 overs,Pakistan 149/1 ( Azhar Ali 65 , Babar Azam 18)

2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1: Adil Rashid’s 6th over. Pakistan need 63 runs off 24 overs.

After 25 overs,Pakistan 142/1 ( Azhar Ali 63 , Babar Azam 13)

Pakistan’s required run rate has fallen below 3 and they have scored 4 runs in Plunkett’s 4th over. Many predicted a one-sided match today and that is exactly what they are getting.

After 24 overs,Pakistan 138/1 ( Azhar Ali 61 , Babar Azam 11)

Pakistan play sensible cricket after that maximum as they collect four singles to end the over. Pakistan 74 runs away from securing a final berth.

SIX! Azhar Ali wants to finish it so early. Azhar dances down the track and slams Rashid over the bowler’s head for half a dozen.

After 23 overs,Pakistan 128/1 ( Azhar Ali 59 , Babar Azam 3)

Pakistan cruising at the moment. Four singles and a brace off Mark’s 8th over.

What do you reckon?

Is the comeback on?!#ENGvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/rENF47D47M

— ICC (@ICC) June 14, 2017

After 22 overs,Pakistan 122/1 ( Azhar Ali 55 , Babar Azam 1)

Babar Azam arrives at the centre after Fakhar Zaman’s wicket. He gets off the mark with a single to covers. Azhar Ali drills the third ball through covers for a brace. The last ball is short and wide, Azhar cuts it behind point. One run taken.

118 runs for the first wicket and Pakistan’s dream run continues. Fakhar was finally undone by a googly. He did his job and Pakistan should not make a mess of this chase from here on in. ​

A wicket! England finally strike to remove Fakhar Zaman but it seems all rather too late. Pakistan look like being the biggest obstacle to themselves making the final at the moment, but even they will need a meltdown for the ages to blow this position.

OUT! England break the partnership………..finally. Adil Rashid unleashes a vicious googly and Fakhar gets beaten as he looked to loft it over covers. He lost his balance in the process and Buttler whipped the bails off in a flash. No need to go to the third umpire as Fakhar Zaman starts walking. Despite Pakistan’s reputation (or the lack of it) for collapsing, I feel this partnership has laid the foundation for a historic win.

118 by Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali is the second highest opening stand for Pakistan against England in ODIs. The highest is 122 between Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez at Leeds in 2010.

After 21 overs,Pakistan 118/0 ( Azhar Ali 52 , Fakhar Zaman 57)

Wood responds well after conceding a boundary off the first ball. Only two runs and a wide comes off the remainder of his over. Seven runs off the over.

FOUR and FIFTY! Wood bowls a short delivery and Azhar steers it past the first slip for a boundary. Some way to bring up his 11th ODI half-century.

This is the first time both Pakistan openers have scored a fifty in an ICC Champions Trophy match. Overall, this is 13th instance in ICC Champions Trophy.

After 20 overs,Pakistan 111/0 ( Azhar Ali 47 , Fakhar Zaman 56)

Rashid concedes three runs off the first three balls. On the fourth ball, Azhar gets beaten on the outside edge and the ball hits Buttler’s boot and ricochets back onto the stumps. Buttler appeals and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that Azhar was quite in. Three runs off the over.

Century stands for Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy:

Mohammad Yousuf/Shoaib Malik v India,Centurion,2009

Mohammad Yousuf/Saeed Anwar v Sri Lanka,Nairobi,2000

AZHAR ALI/FAKHAR ZAMAN v England,Cardiff,2017

This is dire for England, they’ve bowled with terrible control so far and Pakistan’s openers are running riot. Difficult to see a way back for them in this match, barring the most Pakistan of Pakistan batting collapses.

Pakistani batsmen with consecutive fifties in ICC Champions Trophy:

Saeed Anwar (3)

Misbah-ul-Haq (2)

FAKHAR ZAMAN (2)*

After 19 overs,Pakistan 108/0 ( Azhar Ali 45 , Fakhar Zaman 55)

Mark Wood comes back into the attack. Can he produce something magical? His first four balls are dots, he also whistled past Azhar’s outside edge twice. Azhar pulls the fifth ball through backward square leg for a brace. Azhar ends the over with a single.

After 18 overs,Pakistan 105/0 ( Azhar Ali 42 , Fakhar Zaman 55)

Two singles and a boundary off Moeen Ali’s first over. The 100-run stand also comes up in this over. Time for drinks.

FOUR! This lad is looking dangerous. Fakhar Zaman lunges forward and absolutely hammers Moeen Ali over covers for a boundary.

After 17 overs,Pakistan 99/0 ( Azhar Ali 41 , Fakhar Zaman 50)

Pakistan pinch four singles off the 17th over.

FIFTY! Consecutive half-centuries for Fakhar Zaman. He gets there with a single to square leg. His innings will be of utmost value for Pakistan. If he stays at the crease for another 10 overs, an early exit wouldn’t be too far away from England.

This is now the highest opening stand for Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy. The previous highest was 90 between Imran Nazir and Saeed Anwar against Sri Lanka at Nairobi in 2000.

After 16 overs,Pakistan 95/0 ( Azhar Ali 39 , Fakhar Zaman 48)

Azhar Ali milks a run off the first ball. The fourth and fifth ball too go for singles. However Fakhar spoils the over figures by scoring a boundary.

FOUR! England are learning it the hard way. Plunkett bowls it short and Fakhar Zaman stands tall and pulls it through square leg for a boundary.

After 15 overs,Pakistan 88/0 ( Azhar Ali 37 , Fakhar Zaman 43)

Rashid starts with a short and wide delivery, Azhar cuts it to deep cover. Fakhar Zaman paddle sweeps the third ball to fine leg for a couple. Zaman backs his insticts and scores a boundary. Seven runs off the over.

FOUR! Spin? Okay bring it on! Fakhar Zaman comes down the ground and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.

Time for a change. Adil Rashid comes into the attack.

After 14 overs,Pakistan 81/0 ( Azhar Ali 36 , Fakhar Zaman 37)

A decent over in the context of the game. Three dots and three singles off it.

England need to bring on Rashid and Moeen Ali soon. What are they waiting for? Pakistan’s opening stands since Fakhar’s debut: 40, 74 and 78* at 6.1 rpo. The runs are coming, it doesn’t matter how they come. It’s the middle overs that Pakistan need to work on now. 

After 13 overs,Pakistan 78/0 ( Azhar Ali 34 , Fakhar Zaman 36)

SIX. Dot. Dot. Wide. FOUR. Single. Zero. Pakistan going strong. England need some inspiration to bounce back in this game.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Azhar strides forward and plays the square drive with utmost perfection. The Pakistan fans are loving it in the stands. Morgan needs to take Stokes off the attack.

SIX! Stokes hits the deck and Azhar Ali goes for a pull but only manages a top edge over the fine leg fence.

After 12 overs,Pakistan 66/0 ( Azhar Ali 23 , Fakhar Zaman 36)

Expensive 1st over from Plunkett. The first two balls go for two singles before Fakhar scores a boundary. Fakhar drives the fourth ball to mid off for a single. Beautifully placed! Azhar drills it through covers for 3 runs. 10 runs off the over.

FOUR! Poor ball and duly punished. Fakhar tickles it fine and into the fence.

Pakistan have begun well by not losing a wicket in the first ten overs. They have not played any loose shot so far which let them down. This is the perfect match for Azhar Ali to prove his mettle in this Pakistan ODI team. Fakhar Zaman has been troubled by few short-pitched deliveries here and there but he is still there. We will have a match on our hands if England pick a wicket or two in the next five overs otherwise it’s Pakistan’s match to lose now.

After 11 overs,Pakistan 56/0 ( Azhar Ali 19 , Fakhar Zaman 30)

Three singles and a boundary off Stokes’ first over. England’s search for a breakthrough continues.

FOUR! Stokes drops it short and around leg, Azhar pulls it to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Ben Stokes comes into the attack.

After 10 overs,Pakistan 49/0 ( Azhar Ali 14 , Fakhar Zaman 28)

A single is milked off the first ball. Fakhar continues to attack the short ball and scores a boundary to square leg. On the fourth ball, he charges down the track and inside edges his swat to midwicket for a couple. In the air……..but safe. Fakhar top edges a short ball but it falls in no man’s area. One run taken. At the end of first powerplay, Pakistan have scored 49 runs and lost a wicket.

Pakistani pairs with consecutive 50-plus stands in ICC Champions Trophy:

3 – Imran Nazir/Saeed Anwar 
2 – Mohammad Yousuf/Saeed Anwar
2 – AZHAR ALI/FAKHAR ZAMAN*

Pakistan have almost knocked off 25% of the target. You’ve got to admire Fakhar Zaman’s confidence as a batsman. He doesn’t shy away even when they bowl short to him. More of this attacking, in-your-face attitude needed from Pakistan!

FOUR! Keep them coming, says Fakhar Zaman. Another short ball and the southpaw pulls it powerfully through square leg.

After 9 overs,Pakistan 41/0 ( Azhar Ali 13 , Fakhar Zaman 21)

Fakhar helps the first ball, which is short, on its way to fine leg for a single. Azhar too pulls the third ball behind square leg. Fakhar plays a magnificent pull to fetch is second boundary.

FOUR! Mark Wood persists with the short ball treatment and Fakhar doesn’t shy away from playing a brave pull shot. He pulls it to the vacant square leg region.

After 8 overs,Pakistan 35/0 ( Azhar Ali 12 , Fakhar Zaman 16)

Barring that boundary, only one run single off the over.

Not the start England would have wanted, with Pakistan racing away slightly in the first couple of overs. However England doing slightly better at pulling things back in the last couple, Mark Wood carrying on in the same vein as earlier in the tournament with some important dot balls.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Ball bowls it short and wide and Azhar punches it off the back foot through point. It races away to the fence in no time.

After 7 overs,Pakistan 30/0 ( Azhar Ali 8 , Fakhar Zaman 15)

A maiden over from Mark Wood in which he beat Azhar Ali thrice on the outside edge. On the first ball Fakhar got hit on his helmet and he took a leg bye.

After 6 overs,Pakistan 29/0 ( Azhar Ali 8 , Fakhar Zaman 15)

Pakistan are not taking unnecessary risks. They are aware that having wickets in hand would be key in this match. Fakhar tries to pull the third ball but it goes off his gloves behind square. Azhar cuts the fourth ball through point for a couple.

After 5 overs,Pakistan 26/0 ( Azhar Ali 6 , Fakhar Zaman 14)

Fakhar slashes Wood’s first ball through third man for a run. Azhar fails to get off the strike off the next three balls. Azhar nudges the length ball to mid on. One run added to the total. Smart running. Zaman gets an inside edge onto his pads and sets off for a sharp single. Azhar responds and they complete it easily.

After 4 overs,Pakistan 23/0 ( Azhar Ali 5 , Fakhar Zaman 12)

Fakhar is playing his natural aggressive game. He pulls it to square leg for a boundary on the first ball. He steers the second ball, which is short, towards gully and takes a sharp single. 5 runs off the over.

FOUR! Ball bangs it short and Fakhar swivels across and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. The fine leg gives it a chase but to no avail.

After 3 overs,Pakistan 18/0 ( Azhar Ali 5 , Fakhar Zaman 7)

Azhar Ali fails to get off the strike on the first three balls but drives the fourth delivery to mid off for a single. Fakhar pulls the fifth ball towards long leg and runs one. 2 off the over.

After 2 overs,Pakistan 16/0 ( Azhar Ali 4 , Fakhar Zaman 6)

FIVE WIDES! Poor delivery by Jake Ball as he errs in line and strays it down the leg side. Azhar nurdles the second legal delivery to the on side for a run. Fakhar plays out the rest of the over.

After 1 overs,Pakistan 10/0 ( Azhar Ali 3 , Fakhar Zaman 6)

Wood starts off with a wide to open Pakistan’s account. The first runs off the bat come on the second legal delivery as Azhar pulls it past square leg for three. SIX! Fakhar looks to pull it but top edges it over the keeper for half a dozen.

The players are out in the centre. Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali to open for Pakistan. Mark Wood to begin the proceedings for England.

Three consecutive 3-fors in ICC Champions Trophy:

Muttiah Muralitharan 
Michael Kasprowicz 
Wayne Parnell 
Stuart Broad 
Mitchell McClenaghan 
HASAN ALI*

England were underwhelming with the bat so they need an early strike with the ball to put Pakistan under pressure. They can’t afford any slips in the field either. Crucial to get a good start here.

The lowest total defended by England 

in an ICC ODI tournament match: 165 v Pakistan at Leeds in 1979 
in an ICC ODI event’s knockout match: 221 v New Zealand at Manchester in 1979 

Will England successfully defend 211 runs today? They are up against unpredictable Pakistan. Anything can happen on a funny note.

Pakistan gave England no margin at all. 42 runs in the last 10 and just that one boundary – off an edge – in the 49th over. When was the last time you saw Stokes failing to hit a boundary? He has scored with a Strike Rate of 103.4 in 12 matches this year, 105.6 in 13 last year. Today: 53.12!

The bowlers have done their job. BUT. It’s a chase and it’s Pakistan. So, you never know!

Pakistan were dealt with a huge blow even before the match started as Mohammad Amir was ruled out due to back spasms. Maybe it inspired them to do well as they coupled brilliant bowling with exceptional fielding to skittle out England, the tournament favourites for 211. It is worth mentioning that Sarfraz Ahmed, who was heavily criticised after Pakistan’s dismal show against India has bounced back and been central to his team’s success. His constant bowling changes, aggressive field sets have ensured that Pakistan are only 212 runs away from securing the final berth. The track is not easy to bat on, it is two paced but Sarfraz and co might fancy their chances more. All in all, we have an exciting chase on our hands.

Pakistan bundle England out for 211. OUT! Jake Ball comes down the ground looking to go over mid off but completely misses the ball and Sarfraz underarms a throw to run Ball out. England fail to play out their quota of 50 overs.

Pakistan bundle England out for 211. OUT! Jake Ball comes down the ground looking to go over mid off but completely misses the ball and Sarfraz underarms a throw to run Ball out. England fail to play out their quota of 50 overs.

Most balls faced without hitting a boundary (4/6) in an ICC Champions Trophy match:

64 – BEN STOKES v Pakistan,Cardiff,2017*
59 – Khaled Mashud v West Indies,Jaipur,2006
53 – Elton Chigumbura v Bangladesh,Jaipur,2006

OUT! Rumman Raees collects his second wicket. England may not even play the full quota of 50 overs here. Plunkett holes out at deep square leg. He falls for 9. Jake Ball strolls out at the centre.

Hasan Ali has now taken 10 wickets in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 which is the most by any bowler. The next most is nine by Josh Hazlewood.

After 48 overs,England 201/8 ( Liam Plunkett 5 , Mark Wood 0)

No ball! Hasan oversteps and the umpire has spotted that. Plunkett to face the Free Hit as Stokes took a single off the no ball. and he inside edges his slog towards the keeper. Two runs taken off the second ball. A single is taken off the third ball. The last four balls: 0, W, 0, 0.

He kept waiting till the end to hit out and when the time came, Stokes mistimed one. Hassan Ali is now the leading wicket-taker in this tournament. 10 wickets in four games for him. 

Not just that, third consecutive three-wicket haul. That’s three game-changing performances. 

No boundary since the 38th over, says Mike Atherton. Jeez, Pakistan have been so good today it all seems a little unreal.

Stokes gone now as well and England are really in trouble. This has been a fantastic bowling performance from Pakistan and Hasan Ali has another wicket. He’s the leading wicket taker in the tournament now. Can Pakistan provide another shock win?

OUT! No happy ending for England. Ben Stokes departs for a 64-ball 34 knock. On a slower delivery, Stokes attempts a slog far too early. It catches the leading edge and goes high up in the sky. Mohammad Hafeez gets underneath it and pouches it at covers. England are eight down. Mark Wood saunters out in the middle.

After 47 overs,England 198/7 ( Ben Stokes 34 , Liam Plunkett 2)

Raees delivers a yorker first up, Stokes digs it out through midwicket for a brace. Stokes looks to go over long on but miscues it to the fielder on one bounce. Single taken. The third ball is a full toss and Plunkett fails to punish it. Raees goes over the wicket. A leg bye is taken on the fourth ball. Stokes is getting frustrated as he drives the fifth ball straight to covers. Raees decides to finish the over with a slower bouncer and Stokes fails to play the upper cut. However, the umpire thinks its a a wide. Sarfraz and Raees are disappointed with that call. Stokes once again retains strike on the last ball.

After 46 overs,England 190/7 ( Ben Stokes 29 , Liam Plunkett 2)

Hasan starts his 9th over with a yorker which Stokes jams out to covers. The second ball is slow and Stokes gets it off the toe end of his willow to deep midwicket. He would’ve liked a second but he sliiped at the non-striker’s end. Hasan bowls two consecutive dots to Liam. Plunkett dabs the fifth ball to third man for a single. Stokes retains the strike on the last ball.

Pakistani bowlers are bowling well and their fielders are supporting them which is a rare sight. Ben Stokes has scored just 23 runs from his first 50 balls today which is also a rare sight. England need an aggressive Stokes in the last five overs to post a decent total. If England want to give Pakistan some fight then they have to score at least 225-230 runs today.

After 45 overs,England 187/7 ( Ben Stokes 27 , Liam Plunkett 1)

Stokes has faced 50 balls and only scored 23 runs. Stokes knocks Raees’s first ball to mid off. He flat-pulls the second ball to mid off for a single. Plunkett defends the third delivery before pulling the fourth ball for a single. Stokes clips the penultimate delivery in front of square on the leg side for a couple. The over finishes with a single. 5 off the over.

After 44 overs,England 182/7 ( Ben Stokes 23 , Liam Plunkett 0)

Pakistan are not allowing England to change gears. They have persisted with their disciplined lines and lengths and the result is there to see. Only 2 runs and a wicket off the 44th over.

Another one down for England who are in real trouble here now. Pakistan are a totally different team, fielding brilliantly now as well. England desperately need their lower order to chip in here.

OUT! Would you believe it? Ahmed Shehzad effects a run out. Hasan pings Rashid on the pads and starts appealing but the umpire turned it down. However Stokes was looking for a single and Rashid’s slow reaction allows Shehzad to score a direct hit at the non striker’s end. They go upstairs and replays show that Rashid was well short of his crease. Liam Plunkett is the new man in.

Rumman Raees comes on to bowl. He developed a bit of a reputation in the Pakistan Super League where batsmen found it hard to hit out against him in the end. He should enjoy this. Stokes update: 20 off 44 with no boundaries so far. Am I jinxing it for Pakistan?

After 43 overs,England 180/6 ( Ben Stokes 21 , Adil Rashid 7)

Rumman Raees comes back for his second spell. He beats Raees on the first two balls, make that three in a row. Rashid takes a blow on the fourth ball as the ball hits him on his stomach, but he manages to get off the strike. Three runs off the over as Raees bowls a wide and concedes a run.

Imad Wasim has gone off the field to get some treatment. He fell awkwardly on the ball in the previous ball. Hope, he is fine.

After 42 overs,England 177/6 ( Ben Stokes 20 , Adil Rashid 6)

Stokes clears his front leg and slams the first delivery through mid on for a single. Rashid fails to get off the strike off the second ball. But he calls Stokes across on the third ball. The remainder of the over goes only for a brace.

After 41 overs,England 173/6 ( Ben Stokes 17 , Adil Rashid 5)

Junaid sustains the pressure on England. concedes only four runs off his eighth over. m

After 40 overs,England 169/6 ( Ben Stokes 15 , Adil Rashid 3)

Shadab Khan comes back. Stokes is still batting at the centre. England need to up the ante at some moment. The par score here seems to be 2400-250. With Stokes at the centre, they can get there. Four singles off the leggie’s over.

TAKE A BOW FAKHAR ZAMAN! This catch is a reflection of the mood this Pakistan team is in today. A few words here and there between Imad and Stokes adding some more tension to an already-tense contest. Stokes is going to hit out soon. Has Imad fired him up just yet? 

Pakistan will now be hoping to get England under 220 but we have seen them go loose so many times so let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.

Oh dear. Not going well for England at all now. Pakistan right on top. England have become so used to pushing for scores of 300 plus that they look a little clueless when batting on a pitch that doesn’t allow that. Huge chance for Pakistan now.

After 39 overs,England 165/6 ( Ben Stokes 14 , Adil Rashid 0)

Stokes has a go at Imad Wasim and the umpire has to intervene to calm things down. Two singles, a brace and a wicket off Junaid Khan’s seventh over.

OUT! Moeen Ali and his struggle with the short delivery continues. Junaid bangs it short and Moeen pulls it, albeit half-heartedly, Fakhar Zaman hares to his right from midwicket to take a diving catch. Pakistan’s fielding has improved by leaps and bounds after India clash. Adil Rashid is the new man in.

After 38 overs,England 161/5 ( Ben Stokes 10 , Moeen Ali 11)

Hafeez comes back. He tosses the first ball around off and Moeen uses his feet to bunt the ball back to the bowler. He drives the second ball through covers for another single. Stokes defends the third delivery. He is batting on 9 off 29 balls. Ben comes down the track and mistimes his flick to long on. FOUR! Welcome boundary for England. Moeen slams it over midwicket. Six runs off the over.

After 37 overs,England 155/5 ( Ben Stokes 9 , Moeen Ali 6)

Another tight over from Junaid. Pakistan still not up to the mark in the field. A single was given away when it should have been stopped. Just two runs off the over. Junaid didn’t quite get his lengths right in that over but still, the Pakistan bowlers are building pressure. The crowd is getting right behind their pacers!

After 36 overs,England 153/5 ( Ben Stokes 8 , Moeen Ali 5)

A lovely over from Hasan Ali. He beat Moeen’s outside edge with a couple of outswingers off the first two balls. He is using the angle from around the wicket to good effect, bowling from wide of the crease. Moeen then drives one away from his body through point for four. But Hasan wouldn’t mind that as Moeen played a risky shot. Another tempting delivery outside off is left alone by Moeen. Just the boundary off the over.

After 35 overs,England 149/5 ( Ben Stokes 8 , Moeen Ali 1)

After Buttler’s wicket, Moeen gets off the mark with a single to mid on off the second ball. Stokes plays out the rest of the over.

England are in a bit of bother now. Buttler goes now as another Pakistan bowling change does the trick. The home side really need someone to stick around now to stop this getting out of hand. Pakistan sniffing quite a big chance to seize control of the match at the moment.

OUT! How many times have we seen this? A wicket falls immediately after the drinks back. Junaid angles it on a good length and nips it away a shade, Buttler is caught off guard and nicks it to Sarfraz, who completes his job easily. England have lost half their side and Moeen Ali strides out at the centre.

After 34 overs,England 148/4 ( Ben Stokes 8 , Jos Buttler (W) 4)

England are not looking to play their natural game. It is the 34th over and Sarfraz has still deployed slips. Another quiet over, 2 runs off it. Time for drinks.

After 33 overs,England 146/4 ( Ben Stokes 7 , Jos Buttler (W) 3)

Sarfraz senses an opportunity and brings Junaid Khan back into the attack. Buttler and Stokes realise that and milk four singles off it.

You betcha… 

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! 💪🇵🇰#ENGvPAK #CT17 pic.twitter.com/gzRED9R6p0

— ICC (@ICC) June 14, 2017

Most wickets for Pakistan in a single edition of ICC Champions Trophy:

9 – HASAN ALI, 2017*
8 – Saeed Ajmal, 2009

England labouring a little now as Morgan goes. They need one batsman to anchor this innings, everyone is just getting in and then getting out without capitalising properly. More impressive stuff from Hasan Ali who has another wicket in this tournament.

England’s batting runs deep but this is excellent from Pakistan. They are looking for wickets and they keep getting them just when England look to press on. Hassan Ali picked two left-handers in succession against South Africa and he has come on to bowl at a similar stage here. Dangerous Pakistan out in the field, you can sense it.

After 32 overs,England 142/4 ( Ben Stokes 5 , Jos Buttler (W) 1)

Hasan Ali reintroduced into the attack. Can he strike ? Yes he can. After conceding just two runs off his first three balls, a frustrated Morgan attempts a risky shot and gets caught behind. 3 runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! ‘You need a wicket, you go Hasan Ali,’ quips Nasser Hussain on air. Eoin Morgan comes down the track to drive Hasan but the ball moves away slightly to induce an outside edge. Sarfraz does the rest. Once again, Hasan is bossing it in the middle overs. Captain Morgan walks back to the hut for 33. Jos Buttler comes out in the middle.

After 31 overs,England 139/3 ( Eoin Morgan (C) 32 , Ben Stokes 4)

What happened there? Hafeez bowls a quicker delivery which misses Morgan, the leg stump and hits Sarfraz on his legs and ricochets to short fine leg fielder. Pakistan appeal but there was no bat involved there. The remainder of the over goes for three runs.

After 30 overs,England 136/3 ( Eoin Morgan (C) 30 , Ben Stokes 3)

Stokes flicks the first ball past the diving midwicket fielder. FOUR! Morgan gets into the position early and reverse sweeps the leggie over point for a boundary. Sarfraz urges Imad Wasim to jump on the last ball to save a couple, when Morgan nurdles it towards midwicket. He slides to stop the second run.

After 29 overs,England 130/3 ( Eoin Morgan (C) 25 , Ben Stokes 2)

Hafeez bowls another tidy over. Sarfraz is constantly chirping from behind the wicket and encouraging his bowlers and fielders. On the second ball, he told Shadab to take it easy when the latter tried to hurry onto the ball at covers. 1 run off the over.

A huge wicket from Shadab Khan! Something had to give. They haven’t picked Shadab when he has pitched the ball on good length. Sarfaraz now has a silly mid on in place for Stokes. Intent, anyone? One more wicket and Pakistan will sense a strangle.

Eoin Morgan and Joe Root have added 1729 runs in ODIs for England which is the second most by any pair. The record is held by Ian Bell and Alastair Cook who added 2118 runs for England while playing together.

Blow for England as Root goes now. Batting doesn’t look hugely easy today and England need to realise that perhaps 300 isn’t on and not push too hard and carelessly to try and get there. Chance for Pakistan to get more of a hold in the match.

After 28 overs,England 129/3 ( Eoin Morgan (C) 25 , Ben Stokes 1)

Morgan takes a single off the second ball and Shadab gets rid of Joe Root. A short leg and slip in place for the new man Stokes. Shadab and Sarfraz slowing up the things at the centre which must be frustrating Stokes. Shadab bowls a googly on leg and Stokes defends it. He drives the last ball by clearing his front leg through covers for a single.

OUT! Shadab Khan, you little beauty! He breaks the threatening partnership behind Root and Morgan. He flights the ball outside off and tempts Root to play the cut. And he does only to edge it to Sarfraz who grabs it smartly. It bounced more than Root might have expected. Shadab shouts in joy and Sarfraz hugs him. Root, meanwhile, walks back dejected for 46. Ben Stokes walks out at the centre.

After 27 overs,England 127/2 ( Joe Root 46 , Eoin Morgan (C) 24)

England have realised that this track is not a 320-330 track and are playing according to the situation. Content with four runs off Hafeez’s fifth over.

England certainly making good use of DRS today, now Eoin Morgan is the man to earn a reprieve having been given out. Disappointment for Pakistan who thought they’d got another breakthrough. This used pitch not making life easy for batsmen. Morgan though doesn’t look to affected by that scare though, great shot to thrash Shadab for four from the last ball of the over.

After 26 overs,England 123/2 ( Joe Root 43 , Eoin Morgan (C) 23)

Shadab drives the first ball towards Shadab and he dives to his left to stop a single. ‘Ye beta,’ shout Sarfraz from behind the stumps. Root flicks it to midwicket where Hafeez makes a sharp stop. Root bunts the third ball past the bowler for a single. Morgan is given out caught at slip! But he opts for DRS straightaway. The replays indicate that the ball went off his forearm. The third umpire checks for LBW too but it going over. FOUR! ‘Nahi,’ cries Sarfraz as Shadab bowls a full delivery, outside off, which Morgan creams through covers for a boundary.

England completed their second fifty in 72 balls as compared to their first fifty in 58 balls today because Pakistani bowlers have bowled well especially Hasan Ali after first 10 overs. He has been terrific for Pakistan in middle-overs in this tournament. Mohammad Hafeez is also playing his part from the other hand and putting pressure on England skipper Eoin Morgan. Both have not given boundary balls to England players yet. Eoin Morgan has to mix caution with aggression today because of the nature of the pitch and so far he is playing against his nature by playing cautiously. He will offer chances to Pakistan very soon. Pakistan need to continue doing what they are doing.

After 25 overs,England 118/2 ( Joe Root 42 , Eoin Morgan (C) 19)

FOUR! Hafeez decides to go short on his third delivery and Morgan pulls it to the deep midwicket fence. Hafeez’s 4th over: 1, 0, 4, 0, 1, 1.

After 24 overs,England 111/2 ( Joe Root 40 , Eoin Morgan (C) 14)

Shadab comes back! The second ball goes for a single off Root’s blade. A field change, a slip in place now. Morgan glances the fourth ball to square leg for a run. The fifth ball goes for a single. Sarfraz urges Shadab to end the over nicely and the 18-year old does; concedes no run off it.

After 23 overs,England 108/2 ( Joe Root 38 , Eoin Morgan (C) 13)

Root drives Hasan’s first ball through covers for a single. FOUR! Half chance? Definitely. Hasan goes around the wicket and drops it short, Morgan pulls it with the flow and Sarfraz reacts late to dive to his right. The ball races past him for a boundary. England end the over with two dots and two singles.

After 22 overs,England 101/2 ( Joe Root 36 , Eoin Morgan (C) 8)

Hafeez continues. Morgan and Root take singles to same area (long on) off the first three balls. Morgan then flicks through midwicket for another run. Root gives his captain the strike back on the fifth ball. Morgan checks his drive to point to finish the over.

After 21 overs,England 96/2 ( Joe Root 33 , Eoin Morgan (C) 6)

Three dots and three singles off Hasan Ali’s third over. Pakistan building pressure on England. A false shot is just around the corner.

Eoin Morgan becomes the third England player to score 5000 runs in ODIs. The others are Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood.

After 20 overs,England 93/2 ( Joe Root 31 , Eoin Morgan (C) 5)

Morgan pushes the first ball through covers. The England skipper knocks the second ball through mid on for a single. Root returns the favour on the third ball. Morgan tries to reverse sweep the fourth ball but misses. Hafeez starts appealing but the umpire is unmoved. The offie hurries towards Sarfraz urging him to reivew but Sarfraz might have told him that they don’t have any reviews left. Morgan punches the last ball through covers for a brace. Nice little passage of play this from Pakistan, they have put the brakes on England’s scoring.

After 19 overs,England 89/2 ( Joe Root 30 , Eoin Morgan (C) 2)

Hasan to bowl his second over. Angles in a good length ball and Root drives it through covers for a single. A slip in place for Morgan. The England captain leaves the second ball and cuts it to point. Morgan cuts the fourth ball to third man and takes a single. WIDE! Hasan hits the deck hard and the ball goes over Root. The umpire spreads his arms. A back of a length delivery is blocked by Root. He opens the face of the bat and guides the sixth ball behind point for a couple. Decent over, 5 off it.

After 18 overs,England 84/2 ( Joe Root 27 , Eoin Morgan (C) 1)

As expected Hafeez is introduced into the attack. What is more impressive with respect to Sarfraz’s captaincy is that he has deployed a slip. England take three singles off three consecutive balls and Morgan finishes the over by blocking the remainder of the over.

After 17 overs,England 81/2 ( Joe Root 25 , Eoin Morgan (C) 0)

Top over from Hasan Ali. He really is a quality bowler. He dismissed Bairstow and allows only one run off it.

Excellent set up from Shadab with that conventional leg-spin and ideal loop and another chance goes down. What are Pakistan doing? But don’t worry, Hassan Ali comes in and picks him in the next over. Bairstow rode his luck for far too long.

That’s the end of Bairstow’s luck as Hassan Ali strikes immediately, Pakistan break up what was looking like a handy partnership. They’ve got a foot in the door now.

OUT! Hasan ends Bairstow’s misery! Time and again, Hasan has provided the crucial breakthroughs and he does it again. He bangs it short and Bairstow pulls it to find Mohammad Hafeez at square leg. He falls seven short of a fifty but to be honest he never really belonged at the centre. Eoin Morgan saunters out at the centre.

Shadab Khan has shown glimpses of how lethal he can be when he pitches the ball up. He has dragged it short a little too much for my liking but these are early days and he is, after all, a leg spinner. It will be tough to pick him once he gets his length right consistently.

After 16 overs,England 80/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 43 , Joe Root 24)

Shadab flights the first ball and Bairstow looks to heave it but only gets it to midwicket off the toe end of his bat. One run added to the total. Root drives the second ball to covers for run. Third ball: Root sweeps the third ball over square leg for a single. Bairstow plays the next two balls to point. DROPPED! Bairstow looks to slash the sixth ball but edges it to Babar at first slip. The slip reverse cups it but fails to hold onto it. Babar is disappointed and rightly so.

After 15 overs,England 77/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 41 , Joe Root 23)

Imad continues with his disciplined bowling and all England could manage off it is four singles.

After 14 overs,England 73/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 39 , Joe Root 21)

Shadab loops it up around off and Bairstow absolutely clobbers it over the bowler’s head for a boundary. They are looking to attack the leggie here. Bairstow lofts the seocnd ball through mid on for a single. Root drills the third ball through covers for another single. Good end to the over by Shadab, bowls three dots on the trot.

Youngest players to play in a semi-final of ICC ODI tournament:

17 years and 173 days – Mohammad Amir v New Zealand, 2009 
18 years and 253 days – SHADAB KHAN v England, 2017*
18 years and 300 days – Imran Nazir v New Zealand, 2000

After 13 overs,England 67/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 34 , Joe Root 20)

Imad tosses it on middle, Root punches it to long on for a single. Jonny blocks the second ball. Bairstow looks to drive the third ball but edges it to point. Frustration for Bairstow as he finds the fielder once again on his cut. Another middle stump line delivery and Bairstow can only manage to knockt it back to the bowler. The England opener eases the sixth ball through mid on for a single.

After 12 overs,England 65/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 33 , Joe Root 19)

Shadab comes into the attack and almost gets ir of Root first up. The England No 3 looked to flick one through midwicket but it only manages a leading edge that escapes the cover fielder. Bairstow cuts the second ball through covers for a single. FOUR! A long hop from Shadab and Root rocks back to pull it through midwicket. Root looks to dab the fourth ball but fails to put bat on ball. England’s first drop drives the fifth ball to covers. He retains the strike with a push to covers.

After 11 overs,England 58/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 32 , Joe Root 13)

England doing it in singles now. They pinch six singles all over the ground. Imad Wasim is bowling the stump-to-stump line and now allowing them to free their arms.

After 10 overs,England 52/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 29 , Joe Root 10)

A busy over for England. Root and Bairstow collect 5 singles and a brace. But on the fourth ball, Bairstow pulled one fiercely and Azhar jumped in the air to catch it but the ball pops out of his hands at the last minute. Super effort though.

After 9 overs,England 45/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 26 , Joe Root 6)

Bairstow eases Imad’s third ball through mid on for a single. Root bunts the fourth delivery back to Wasim. A stifled LBW appeal on the fifth ball as Root looks to pull it on the back foot, but the umpire is unmoved. Wasim too realises that it was going down the leg side. Another delivery on the stump and Root’s inside edge off his punch hits him on the boot.

Rumman Raees has been impressive so far. He knows there is no swing – he isn’t the biggest swinger of the ball as it is – and he has kept a tight line on good length. That  Alex Hales dismissal should allow him to settle down a little more. 

Raees is known for his silent celebration style in the PSL and he didn’t quite give Hales the treatment here.

Rumman Raees didn’t have to wait much longer! Important scalp for Pakistan, Hales has been in great touch. Joe Root in now looking to chase down the leaders in the battle for leading run scorer in the tournament.

After 8 overs, England 44/1 (Bairstow 25, Root 6)

Ball three: Raees bowls a back of a length ball and Bairstow cuts it to third man for a couple. Bairstow clips it through midwicket for a single. FOUR! Raees bowls the leg stump line and Root whips it through midwicket for a boundary.

After 7 overs, England 37/1 (Bairstow 22, Root 2)

Time for some spin. Imad Wasim comes into the attack. Four dots, a single and brace off it.

After 6 overs, England 34/1 (Bairstow 21, Root 0)

FOUR! Bairstow strides forward and drives it through mid off. Bairstow gets off the strike off the fourth ball. OUT! Raees gets his maiden ODI wicket. Root leaves the sixth ball.

OUT! Rumman Raees scalps his maiden ODI wicket. He bowls it full and outside off and Hales drives it straight to Babar Azam at covers. He falls for 13. Joe Root is the new man in.

After 5 overs, England 29/0 (Bairstow 16, Hales 13)

A single off the first five balls off Junaid’s 5th over. FOUR! Junaid opts to end the over with a slower ball and Hales slams it through the right of the mid off fielder.

After 4 overs, England 24/0 (Bairstow 15, Hales 9)

Rumman Raees concedes three runs off the first five balls. Raees traps Hales LBW and the umpire raises the finger. However, Hales reviews it. It is pitching outside leg, Mickey Arthur cannot believe Pakistan’s luck! Both openers have managed to survive due to DRS.

England having the rub of the DRS green at the moment, Hales reprieved this time. Rumman Raees will have to wait a bit longer for his first ODI wicket. Long way to go, but feels slightly like Pakistan really needed at least one of those early wickets if they’re going to win this match.

If only Marais Erasmus had raised his finger to that Bairstow LBW shout in the first over! 

Early signs that there is nothing in the pitch – both bowlers not getting any swing and Sarfaraz was overheard on the stump mic saying he can take out a slip. Just the one slip in now. Junaid Khan needs to find his length quickly, he is a touch short and Bairstow does not seem troubled.

Alex Hales has just completed 1000 runs in England in ODIs in his 31st innings in the country. He is the joint fourth slowest to achieve the feat.

After 3 overs, England 20/0 (Bairstow 14, Hales 6)

Junaid continues. Hales cuts the first ball towards point but Shadab dives to his left to make a good stop. Single taken. Bairstow nudges the second ball through fine leg for a brace. FOUR! Bairstow shuffles across and flicks it over square leg for a boundary. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries. Bairstow short-arm jabs it through midwicket and collects a brace off the fifth delivery. He offers front foot defense on the sixth ball.

After 2 overs, England 7/0 (Hales 5, Bairstow 2)

Rumman Raees to bowl from the other end. Bairstow punches the first ball to mid off for a single. Hales finds the fielders on the second and third balls before pinching a single off the fourth. The last two balls are dots.

Early let off for England, Bairstow lucky not to get given LBW there. Even worse luck for Pakistan that they lose their only review in the first over. Could that be crucial? 

After 1 over, England 5/0 (Hales 4, Bairstow 1)

Bairstow takes the strike and Junaid starts with a yorker and Bairstow digs it out. HUGE LBW appeal! Junaid angles in a length ball and Bairstow plays the wrong line to get rapped on the pads. The umpire however turns it down. Sarfraz has a talk with the bowler and takes the review. No bat involved. Pitching in line. Two reds. Oh, it is umpire’s call on clipping. Bairstow survives and the whole of England breathes a sigh of relief. Bairstow tucks the third ball behind square for a single. Hales doesn’t score a single run off the next two balls. FOUR! Beautiful! Hales drives the sixth ball down the ground to score the first boundary of the innings. Eventful over, this. 5 off it.

England have posted 300-plus scores ten times out of 12 while batting first in England in ODIs post ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. That tells us that this England team is fearless and can comeback from any stage of the match and their last match against Australia was the prime of example it as they won the match after losing first three wickets very early while chasing. It will be vital for Pakistan to take wickets consistently today to stop England batsmen scoring freely.

The national anthems have been sung. The players are on the field. Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales are England’s openers. Junaid Khan takes the first new ball. Time to roll……

As expected Jonny Bairstow starts instead of Jason Roy for England and he’ll be thrown in to action straight away with Pakistan choosing to bowl first. He’s been ever-reliable when called upon for England recently, can he adjust to a new role at the top of the order? It will be interesting to see as well how the fact that this is a used pitch affects both sides.

It’s a battle between overwhelming favourites England and underdogs Pakistan. The numbers also support the statement as Pakistan have won only two matches out of their last 14 ODIs against England. However, this will be the first time both teams will play against each other in ICC Champions Trophy. Moreover, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Mohammad Amir is not playing today. Will it put more pressure on Pakistan in a big game like this? Let’s see.

A huge blow for Pakistan as Amir is ruled out by a back spasm. More than his performance, it’s the mental effect that it might end up having on the rest of the team that is more problematic.

The Islamabad United duo of Rumman Raees and Shadab Khan come in to the team. What better stage for them to perform than this. Khan’s inclusion reflects Pakistan’s intent to go for wickets. He is an attacking leggie who didn’t play the last game on this ground because of short boundaries. Raees can be tricky to get away with as the batsmen press on and try to accelerate. Sarfaraz will be hoping Junaid Khan steps up for him today once again. 

A lot of talk about Pakistan’s decision to bowl first but that’s Sarfaraz’s captaincy template. But it’s a knockout game and any runs on the board will add extra pressure. Time for Pakistan to draw inspiration from last year’s successful 300-run chase against England on this ground!

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

Two changes in the Pakistan lineup — Mohammad Amir missing out due to a back spasm and is replaced by Rumman Raees; Shadab Khan returns in place of Fahim Ashraf.

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

Just one change in the England lineup — Jonny Bairstow replaces Jason Roy as Alex Hales’ opening partner.

TOSS: Pakistan win the toss, and captain Sarfraz Ahmed elects to field first. His English counterpart Eoin Morgan says he dosn’t mind batting first either.

“Not a very high-scoring pitch. 250-260 is the par score here” — says Sourav Ganguly ahead of the toss about the Cardiff pitch.

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Sarfraz Ahmed positive about semis despite Pakistan’s weak middle orderhttp://www.firstpost.com

Shahid Afridi column: I Hope Pakistan’s senior batsmen come good against a top-class England sidehttp://www.firstpost.com

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: England captain Eoin Morgan hints at Jonny Bairstow replacing Jason Royhttp://www.firstpost.com

Match day! Picture perfect in Cardiff #EngvPak #CT17 pic.twitter.com/ib4MpYxmep

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 14, 2017

Magnificent sunny day in Cardiff. Already heard "Dil, Dil, Pakistan" as I walked into the ground #ENGvPAK #CT17

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) June 14, 2017

Mohammad Aamir suffering from back pain, got injections, team management waiting on update, if not recovered Rumman will play.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) June 14, 2017

Amir has a back spasm,he is doubtful to play today. Rumman Raees could be his replacement. #PakVEng

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 14, 2017

Meanwhile, Pakistani journalists at Ground Zero are making a big announcement — that of Mohammad Amir suffering from a back spasm, which could potentially rule him out of the upcoming match.

ICC Champions Trophy: Abdul Qadir unhappy with Mickey Arthur’s control over Pakistanhttp://www.firstpost.com