Cardiff: After a lacklustre performance against India in the first game, Pakistan team were dubbed as one of the weakest team in the recent times. But, they proved all critics as well as cricket pundits wrong by winning three matches in a row and booking a berth in the finale.
Pakistan had no difficulty to overcome the challenge from mighty England, which remained unbeaten in the tournament till date. The eight-wicket win showed how ruthless Pakistanis were in today’s semifinal.
Earlier, Pakistan won a crucial toss and elected to field first. England bowled out for 211 in 49.5 overs. Bairstow (43), Root (46), Morgan (33) and Stokes (34) were the top scorers. Hasan Ali (3/35), Junaid Khan (2/42) and Rumman Raees (2/44) were the top wicket-takers.
Pakistani openers Azhar Ali (76) and Fakhar Zaman (57) made a mockery of England’s bowling attack by adding 118 runs for the first wicket. Babar Azam (38*) and Mohammad Hafeez (31*) did the rest, as Pakistan reached 215/2 in 37.1 overs.
Hasan Ali was declared ‘Player of the Match’. Pakistan will take. The winner of tomorrow’s second semifinal between India and Bangladesh.
Kalinga AI