Pakistan overwhelm England in semifinal

PAKISTAN booked their place in the Champions Trophy final with a crushing eight-wicket win over England in Cardiff yesterday.

Set just 212 to win, Pakistan finished on 215 for two.

Pakistan will now face title-holders India in Sunday’s final at the Oval if their archrivals beat Bangladesh in today’s second semifinal at Edgbaston.

Azhar Ali (76) and Fakhar Zaman (57) all but ended previously unbeaten tournament hosts England’s slim hopes of victory with an opening stand of 118.

But the real damage was done when England collapsed to 211 all out after Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed sent them in to bat on a used pitch.

Paceman Hasan Ali led a disciplined attack, with a superb return of three for 35.

Pakistan’s openers then compounded England’s misery to the delight of their supporters at a sundrenched Cardiff.

Left-hander Fakhar hit a six – something England did not manage in their entire innings – when a top-edge off fast bowler Mark Wood flew safe.

The dashing Fakhar completed a 49-ball 50 to follow his half-century against Sri Lanka.

Azhar, who pulled allrounder Ben Stokes for six, followed him to the landmark in 68 balls.

On a Cardiff ground, where they chased more than 300 to beat England in a one-day international last year, Pakistan completed their pursuit with a mammoth 77 balls to spare, when Mohammad Hafeez pulled Ben Stokes for four.

England did avoid a 10-wicket defeat when Jos Buttler stumped Fakhar off leg-spinner Adil Rashid and Azhar too fell before the finish, pulling Jake Ball into his stumps.

But Pakistan had the game all but won at 173 for two.

England did not manage a single individual 50 in their innings.

Joe Root top-scored with 46 and Yorkshire teammate Jonny Bairstow managed 43. – AFP