Champions Trophy: Pakistan opt to bowl, India leave out Ashwin

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and chose to field first in the all important Champions Trophy encounter against India in Brimingham, England. 

With forecast of rain, the decision to send the opposition in was a no brainer keeping in mind the distinctive advantage a chasing side gets from the Duckworth-Lewis system.

India decided to leave out their most experienced spinner Racichandran Ashwin to strengthen their fast bowling department. Hardik Pandya will play the role of a fourth seamer.  

Interestingly, the two teams met on the same ground four years ago in the Champions Trophy, 2013. India overwhelmed their neighbors by 8 wickets on that match and later on lifted the title by beating Engla.

India XI: S Dhawan, R Sharma, Virat Kohli, Y Singh, MS Dhoni, K Jadhav, H Pandya, R Jadeja, B Kumar, J Bumrah, U 

Pakistan XI: Azhar Ali, A Shehzad, B Azam, M Hafeez, S Malik, S Ahmed, I Wasim, S Khan, M Amir, Wahab Riaz, H Ali