CT 2017: Pakistan bowlers restrict England to 211

Cardiff, June 14 (IANS) Pakistan bowlers put up a quality display to restrict England to 211 runs all out in 49.5 overs in the first semi-final match of the Champions Trophy cricket tournament at the Sophia Gardens here on Wednesday.
Pacer Hasan Ali scalped three wickets for 35 runs while Juniad Khan and debutant Rumman Raees chipped in with two wickets each. For England, Joe Root (46), Jonny Bairstow (43) and Ben Stokes (34) were the major contributors to the cause. England, who were brilliant in the group stages, wasted a steady start, thanks to Pakistani bowlers, who were right on the coin throughout the match. England's ploy to bring back Bairstow in place of Jason Roy clicked but some poor middle-order batting saw Pakistan dominating the hosts. World No.8 Pakistan were seen struggling in the fielding initially but soon their fielders pulled up their socks and took some good catches in the middle to deny England scope to post a challenging total. England started off on a steady note but soon English openers Alex Hales (13) and Bairstow started struggling as Pakistani pacers were bowling some strict line without giving any room. The first to go was opener Hales in the sixth over. Babar Azam took a brilliant catch off Rumman Raees. Incoming batsman Root then joined Bairstow but, after adding another 46 runs for the second wicket, the latter was sent packing by Hasan Ali in the 17th over. Root, along with middle-order batsmen Eoin Morgan (33) and Stokes, however, managed to steady the sinking ship but just when it seemed good in the middle, Pakistani pacers stood up to their reputation and started creating havoc in the English batting lineup. Inside six overs, all three set batsmen were sent back to the pavilion. Root was taken by leggie Shadab Khan while Morgan and Stokes were dismissed by pacer Ali. Unlike other matches, the lower-order drastically failed to step up to the pressure as Jos Buttler (4), Moeen Ali (11), Adil Rashid (7), Liam Plunkett (9) and Mark Wood (3) only managed to add 30 runs for the cause. Brief Scores: England 211/10 (Root 46, Bairstow 43, Hassan Ali 3/10 Junaid Khan 2/42) against England.
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