Pakistan thrash England in Champions Trophy semi-final
Cardiff : Pakistan booked their place in the Champions Trophy final with a crushing eight-wicket win over England in Cardiff on Wednesday.
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 arch-rivals beat Bangladesh in Thursday's second semi-final 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 won the toss on a used pitch that played more like a sub-continental surface than a British one.
Paceman Hasan Ali led a disciplined attack with a man-of-the-match return of three for 35 from his maximum 10 overs.
"Credit goes to the bowlers and the batters who finished it very well," said Sarfraz at the presentation ceremony.
"We adapted to conditions, we knew if we restrict them we could easily chase it down," he added.
"Every game is a knockout game and I told my boys to play their game and not worry about the result.
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