CT 2017: England v Pakistan, Semi-Final 1 – Match Result Predictions

After 12 intense league matches, it all boils down to the final 4 teams in the ICC Champions Trophy. England will face Pakistan in the first semi-final at Cardiff. This has been the trickiest of the venues so far in the tournament. Only England had got a score of over 300 whereas two other teams managed paltry scores. It will be an interesting battle between the bowling of Pakistan versus the batting of England.

The hosts have been the most consistent side in the tournament and also the only undefeated so far. They displayed clinical performances against Bangladesh and England. Then they took huge pride in the defeating the arch-rivals Australia that knocked them out. The batting and bowling have clicked in each of the games and still, they stand the firm favorites to lift the trophy.

On the contrary, Pakistan have lived up to their tag of being the unpredictables. First, they were outclassed by India and looked down and out. When everyone wrote them off, they pulled off a stunning victory against South Africa. Then, in a virtual quarter-final against Sri Lanka, they just managed to get past the line and booked a semi-final berth.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: England wins the toss

Toss prediction: England will choose to bat first

First innings score prediction: 325-335

Result prediction: England will win the match by more than 60 runs

Scenario 2: Pakistan wins the toss

Toss prediction: Pakistan will choose to bat first

First innings score prediction: 260-270

Result prediction: England will win the match by 6 wickets

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 81, England Won – 49, Pakistan Won – 30, No Result – 2

Matches in England: Total Matches – 41, England Won – 26, Pakistan Won – 14, No Result – 1

England have had an edge over Pakistan in the ODI history. When we look at the recent rivalry between the two, it’s even more in the favor of the Englishmen. In the previous 20 ODIs between them, England have won 16 as compared to 4 of Pakistan. Now, they will be playing under the familiar home conditions and hold far too much advantage over Pakistan.

Playing Combinations

England:

Jason Roy has been in an awful form in the tournament and chances are that he might be dropped for Jonny Bairstow. Jos Buttler might open alongside Alex Hales that would mean Bairstow would bat in the middle order. Joe Root and Eoin Morgan have been the pillars of the batting line-up and once again will be crucial. Ben Stokes scored a tremendous century in the last game against Australia and with Moeen Ali batting at number 7, this line-up is capable of achieving any score.

The bowlers have been equally impressive as the batsmen. Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, Jake Ball and Ben Stokes form a formidable pace battery. Each one is equally capable of bowling with the new as well as the old ball. Adil Rashid played a vital role in the last game against Australia where he bagged 4 wickets. When you think of the English side, it’s the might of their batting that comes to the mind first but the bowlers have played an equally important role.

Predicted XI: Alex Hales, Jos Buttler(wk), Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood

Pakistan:

The inclusion of Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order has helped the side immensely. He has played 2 quickfire innings in the last 2 games. Azhar Ali did well against India but he can’t continue the slow approach against England. The form of the middle-order is a big cause for concern and they need to raise their games a few notches in the semi-final. One bright spot that stood out from the last game was the responsible innings played by the skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed who’ll have huge responsibilities on his shoulders.

The bowlers have been the major destructors in their previous 2 victories. Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan came amongst the wickets in the last game and the onus will on the duo to halt the strong English line-up. Hasan Ali has come in during the middle stages and triggered collapses in on 2 previous occasions. Shadab Khan might come back and Imad Wasim had a pleasant outing earlier. Bowling is the strength of Pakistan and they’ll hope that it clicks in the crucial game.

Predicted XI: Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed(c & wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir

England are perhaps the most balanced side in the tournament whereas Pakistan have had their fair share of issues. Playing at home, England hold a far greater advantage and will be the favorites to come out victorious.

Unless Pakistan pull off something extraordinary, England should go through to their second Champions Trophy final in a row.

You can follow the live scores of the match here

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.