Sarfraz puts England in to bat

June 14, 2017 14:36

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed calls correctly, wins toss and elects to bowl first.

Pakistan will be without paceman Mohd Amir who has been laid low by back spasm and has been replaced by Rumman Raees.

England will fancy their chances of extending the search for an elusive major global ODI silverware despite drawing a mercurial Pakistan in the first semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy in Cardiff on Wednesday.

In Eoin Morgan's well-balanced unit, the world sees a chance for England to realise their dream.

Notwithstanding Pakistan's remarkable turnaround after a embarrassing loss to arch-rivals India in their tournament opener in Birmingham, hosts England will take to the field at Sophia Gardens with their nose ahead.

In Ben Stokes, they have one of the world's best all-rounder, who can inflict damage on the opposition with both bat and ball.

Joe Root is a world-class batsman and is the fulcrum around whom the England batting revolves.

Morgan and Jos Buttler complete the middle order, while openers Alex Hales and Jason Roy have the ability to be devastating at the top. Roy, though, has not been in the best of form and could be replaced by Jonny Bairstow for the last-four clash.

They also have a handy bowling attack to challenge any opposition.

Pakistan will be boosted by Sarfraz's match-winning knock in the team's three-wicket win over Sri Lanka, which put them into the semis.

That they managed to hold their own in a match where there was quite a few twists and turns, should boost Pakistan's morale.

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