Pakistan have won the toss and chosen to bowl first in Lahore, with a Razaullah debut confirming one of two changes to the home side as they chase a result that would lock in a place in the final. Captain Shaheen Afridi put England in on a flat wicket under sunny skies. England will bat first three days after failing to defend 429 against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, and have handed fast bowler Henry Crocombe his first international cap.
Toss call and what is at stake
Shaheen Afridi’s decision gives Pakistan’s attack the first use of the new ball while England set a target. Victory for the hosts would secure safe passage to the final. The surface was described as flat, with bright conditions overhead at the start of play.
Razaullah debut and other team changes
Pakistan have made two changes. Shadab Khan comes in as an extra spin option, a move framed around Gaddafi Stadium’s more spin-friendly nature. The Razaullah debut fills a bowling place as Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah sit out. Naseem Shah dislocated his finger during the warm-ups.
England’s most debated selection call had centred on leaving Adil Rashid out of the XI, and that stance has not changed. Instead, Henry Crocombe receives his international debut, with Josh Tongue sitting out.
The XIs in Lahore
Pakistan’s side is Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi (captain), Razaullah and Haris Rauf.
England’s XI is Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jordan Cox (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson and Henry Crocombe.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Three days before Lahore: England were unable to defend 429 against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
- Match day, Lahore: Pakistan win the toss and field first; Shadab Khan returns; Razaullah is named for his ODI debut; Naseem Shah is ruled out after dislocating a finger in the warm-ups; England again leave out Adil Rashid and give Henry Crocombe his international debut, with Josh Tongue sitting out.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ne Lahore mein toss jeet kar pehle fielding ka faisla kiya hai. Razaullah aaj pehli baar ODI khelne utrega, aur England ka Henry Crocombe bhi pehli baar international khelega. Naseem Shah warm-up mein ungli lux kar baithne ke bawajood team se bahar hai. Agar Pakistan yeh match jeet jaye to final tak ka rasta safe ho jata hai.
