Pakistan sweat on pacemen's fitness

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has revealed man-of-the-match Hasan Ali played through the discomfort of a shin injury to inspire his side to victory over England in Cardiff.

And the skipper is hopeful injured left-armer Mohammad Amir will be fit to play the Champions Trophy final on Sunday, setting up an intriguing selection conundrum for Mickey Arthur's side.

Quick Single: Pakistan thrash England to advance to Champions Trophy final

Hasan picked up his third consecutive three-wicket haul to stun England in their semi-final on Wednesday and move to the top of the tournament's wicket-taking list with 10 wickets at 17.

The right-armer, who appeared troubled by a leg injury throughout the day, picked up the key wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes as Pakistan's quicks choked England's star-studded batting line-up on a used surface at Sophia Gardens.

The touring side bowled the hosts out for just 211 inside 50 overs without the help of Amir, who was ruled out on the morning of the match due to back spasms.

But a superb debut from fellow left-armer Rumman Raees, who was a late replacement in the 15-man squad for Wahab Riaz, meant Sarfraz's side never relented during a stunning bowling performance.

"I think (Hasan) had a little bit shin problem, but he's okay and bowling extremely well for us," the skipper said.

"I think (Amir) has a little bit of back spasm. Hopefully, he will recover for the finals.

"Obviously, he's our main bowler. He's our best strike bowler. Hopefully he will recover."

Despite Rumman’s impressive debut, star quick Amir would be expected to return for the final if he regains full fitness.

Sarfraz also confirmed spinner Imad Wasim is expected to be fit for the final at The Oval despite picking up a calf injury during the first innings.

The inclusion of Rumman was one of two changes to Pakistan's XI following their win over Sri Lanka, with 18-year-old leg-spinner Shadab Khan also coming in for medium-pace allrounder Faheem Ashraf, despite the latter's impressive debut on Monday.

And Pakistan's gamble on youth and inexperience during this tournament was again vindicated by both Shadab (1-40) and dashing opener Fakhar Zaman, who clobbered a run-a-ball half-century less than a week after making his ODI debut.

While veterans Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali add significant experience to the side, it's been inexperienced players like Fakhar and Hasan who have inspired Pakistan to their first major ODI final since the 1999 World Cup.

"I'm very happy about my youngsters performing," Sarfraz said.

"Especially Hasan, who day by day is improving (and) Shadab is day by day improving.

"And now today Fakhar Zaman, he's playing in his third match, and now he's batting just like a champion batsman.

"So I'm really happy about his performance. Hopefully, he will do well in future as well."

And Sarfraz also credited coach Mickey Arthur and his team for lifting the players again following the shattering low of their thumping loss to fierce rivals India 10 days ago.

"After the India match, we just motivated the guys," he said. "(We said) don't worry about the India match, this is gone.

"After the first loss, we were very down, but credit goes to the team management.

"They boosted up really well for us, and credit goes to the players as well. They motivated very well.

"And after that match, everything -- we bowling well, feeling well, and now today also batting clicking as well. So that's why credit goes to the bowlers and team management."

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

Squads: Every Champions Trophy nation

Schedule

1 June – England beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

2 June – New Zealand v Australia, No Result

3 June – Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by 96 runs

4 June – India beat Pakistan by 124 runs

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, No Result

6 June – England beat New Zealand by 87 runs

7 June – Pakistan beat South Africa by 19 runs (DLS method)

8 June – Sri Lanka beat India by seven wickets

9 June – Bangladesh beat New Zealand by five wickets

10 June – England beat Australia by 40 runs (DLS method)

11 June – India beat South Africa by eight wickets

12 June – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets

14 June – England lose to Pakistan by eight wickets

15 June – Second semi-final (Bangladesh v India), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)