CARDIFF – Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to field first against England in the first semi-final of Champions Trophy 2017 match here on Wednesday.
Sarfraz’s men, after beating South Africa and Sri Lanka, are hoping to continue their winning momentum against unbeaten hosts England.
Fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who played a crucial role in Pakistan’s sensational victory against Sri Lanka, is out with a back injury. PSL star Rumman Raees is playing in his place.
Young spinner Shadab Khan is in for all-rounder Fahim Ashraf.
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.
England Team
JM Bairstow, AD Hales, JE Root, EJG Morgan*, JC Buttler†, BA Stokes, MM Ali, AU Rashid, LE Plunkett, MA Wood, JT Ball
Pakistan Team
Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed*†, Imad Wasim, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan
