Pakistan delivered an inspired all-round performance to rout a ragged England team by eight wickets in a one-sided Champions Trophy semifinal yesterday.
Pakistan bowled and fielded tightly to restrict the hosts to a paltry 211 all out and the lowest-ranked team in the tournament knocked off the runs in style with a massive 12.5 overs to spare.
It was a major disappointment for England, who won all three group matches in their bid to claim a first global 50-over title and had beaten Pakistan in 12 of their last 14 ODIs.
They collapsed, however, on a sluggish pitch from 128 for two and the bowlers failed to repair the damage as Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali shared a stand of 118 to lead Pakistan to their target.
"One thing we didn't do was adapt to conditions, which I thought Pakistan did well," England captain Eoin Morgan said.
"Full credit to them, they outplayed us on this wicket."
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and England openers Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow, in for Jason Roy, made a solid enough start.
Hitting boundaries proved difficult, however, and a frustrated Hales, on 13, spooned Rumman Raees to cover with a loose drive.
Fakhar hit Mark Wood for the first six of the match in the opening over of Pakistan's innings and he and Azhar played some delightful strokes in a fluent partnership.
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