After 12 matches in the league stage, the semi-finals line up are decided with Pakistan taking on England in the first semi-finals at Cardiff today and India taking on Bangladesh on 15th June at Edgbaston.
In Group A hosts England defeated Bangladesh, New Zealand and knocked out Australia in the final league game to finish top of the pool stage.
England have been playing excellent cricket in the tournament. In the first match against Bangladesh the hosts chased down the target of 306 with ease. Against, England scored 310 while the bowlers did a great job by winning the match by 87 runs. In the final group match, Australia scored 277 for 9, at one stage England were struggling at 35 for 3 but Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes partnership of 159 helped them to win the match by 40 runs via D/L method.
On the other hand Pakistan lost their first match against India by 124 and then came strongly to defeat South Africa. They defeated Sri Lanka by 3 wickets in yesterday’s match at Cardiff. During the tournament, 2 matches were abonded due to rain while 3 matches were curtailed because of rain.
England will take on Pakistan at Cardiff tomorrow. The hosts are strong favorites to qualify for the finals of the Champions Trophy 2017. The weather forecast for tomorrow’s game is pleasant and sunshine with a maximum of 22 and minimum of 12. If tommrow’s match is called off, England will qualify for the finals because they have top group A. In the 3 matches they played, England scored 6 points. The semi-finals stage does not have a reserve day. If games are washed out, then the team which tops their group qualifies for the finals.
India takes on Bangladesh in the second semi-final of Champions Trophy 2017 at Edgbaston on 15th June. From Group B, India started campaign with a massive 124 run win over Pakistan, lost the second league match by 7 wickets and outplayed South Africa by 8 wickets to progress into the semi-finals. With four points from 3 games, they have finished top of Pool B. Their opponents, Bangladesh reached the semi-finals of Champions Trophy 2017 for the first time. They lost their first match to England by 8 wickets, was saved by the rain against Australia and cameback from a hopeless situation against New Zealand to win the match by 5 wickets to register a memorable win.
The weather forecast for 15th June at Edgaston is for periods of clouds and sun. The match between Australia and New Zealand was called off due to rain, Australia and England match was also called off due to rain with hosts winning the match, India and Pakistan match was curtailed due to rain at the same. If the same thing happens on 15th June, then India will qualify for the finals because they finish top of Pool B and also if the weather intervenes then Super Over cant take place.
If the matches are tied, the decision will be taken via Super Over. It will be the first time that a Super over will take place in ODI cricket