CARDIFF: Pakistan bowlers continued to dismantle England batting as Adil Rashid was run out by substitute fielder Ahmed Shahzad in the Champions Trophy semi-final match on Wednesday at Cardiff.
Junaid Khan struck again to dismiss Moeen Ali off a brilliant catch by Fakhar Zama. England were seven down for 181 in the 44th over.
Rumman Raees earlier picked up the wicket of opener Alex Hales (13) in the sixth over of the innings. The wicket came after both England openers had survived early LBW scares by the Pakistani pace attack.
For the second time in three days in Cardiff, Sarfraz won the toss and elected to field on what was now a used pitch.
“We would have batted first anyway,” said England captain Eoin Morgan at the toss. “Throughout the competition, this pitch has shown to be better to set a target than chase one.
“Pakistan can beat any team in the competition on their day so we´re preparing for their best,” the top-order batsman added.
Meanwhile Sarfraz said: “England are a good team so we have to play positive cricket against them.”
Pakistan suffered a blow as Mohammad Amir was ruled out of the Champions Trophy semi-final against England at Cardiff.
Amir was sidelined with a back spasm, having been a key figure in Pakistan´s virtual quarter-final win against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Monday.
The left-arm quick took two for 53 and also starred with the bat, making an unbeaten 28 in a match-clinching unbroken stand of 75 with Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (61 not out) that clinched a three-wicket win.
Amir was replaced by fellow left-arm seamer Rumman Raes, making his ODI debut.
The 25-year-old Rumman, originally summoned as an injury replacement for Wahab Riaz after the fast bowler suffered a tournament-ending ankle injury against India, has represented Pakistan in two Twenty20 Internationals to date. He has also taken 123 wickets in 42 first-class matches.
Pakistan made another change bringing in leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan in place of Fahim Ashraf, a pace-bowling all-rounder.
England’s Jonny Bairstow is in for out-of-form opener Jason Roy.
Tournament hosts England are the only unbeaten side left in an event featuring the world´s top eight ODI sides, having won all three of their group games.
Pakistan are playing their fourth semi-final of the tournament, having made past appearances in 2000, 2004 and 2009. England, on the other hand, have made it to the finals of the tournament in 2004 and 2013.
