Pakistan win toss, lose Amir

England have axed opener Jason Roy for Jonny Bairstow and will bat first after Pakistan won the toss in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Cardiff tonight.

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed dropped a bombshell at the coin toss, with star fast bowler Mohammad Amir ruled out of the match with back spasms. Rumman Raees comes into the XI to be Pakistan's third debutant of the tournament.

Roy had endured a wretched tournament, and was restricted to a minor role at the team's training session on match eve, deep in conversation with coach Trevor Bayliss on the boundary line while Bairstow had a long hit in the nets.

It is the first and only change for the tournament hosts, who are so far unbeaten in the tournament, as they chase their first-ever piece of silverware at a major 50-over tournament.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will have to overcome the loss of Amir from the side that defeated Sri Lanka at this same venue two days ago to secure their spot in this semi-final.

Amir had not only been a dangerous pace bowler - despite having just the one wicket for the tournament he had been economical - but was also involved in the match-winning innings with Sarfraz that saw them overcome Sri Lanka to reach the semi-final.

Head coach Mickey Arthur, who has been very publicly riding the team's fluctuations from the dressing room, indicated on match eve there was likely to be change in Pakistan's batting order for this match.

"I am going to have a meeting with Sarfraz. Whether him and (Shoaib) Malik need to bat higher up is something we will discuss. I have concerns about the middle order," said Arthur.

"We do sometimes make it difficult for ourselves. We were probably soft at times (Monday, against Sri Lanka).

"But the guys are working very hard. We are evolving as a team.

"Sometimes, that's our strength ... our unpredictability."

However, the official team sheet for Pakistan continued to list Hafeez at No.4 ahead of Malik and Sarfraz.

Pakistan have history at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens – they last year chase down a target of 303 to beat England and captain Sarfraz, hero against Sri Lanka, was again the star hitting 90.

England, the only team yet to be beaten in this tournament, are seeking to continue their remarkably one-day transformation since exiting the 2015 World Cup at the group stage.

When batting first, they have won 11 of their past 12 ODIs, and scored more than 300 five times in their past six. In the 47 ODIs since their World Cup exit, England have posted 25 centuries, compared to 22 from 88 matches during the previous four years.

"I think it's been reassuring that we've got to the semi-final by playing in our own way," said Morgan.

"The game here against New Zealand wasn't exactly crash, bang, wallop. Looking back on it, we probably did get to a par score and felt as if we fell short, and beating a strong side like New Zealand with a par score is a huge strength.

"So I think part of playing positive cricket, we've adapted well and played a lot smarter cricket in this tournament.

"So I think just continuing to play our own game and reinforcing that our own game works."

Road to the semi-final

ENGLAND

1 June – Beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

6 June – Beat New Zealand by 87 runs

10 June – Beat Australia by 40 runs (DLS method)

PAKISTAN

4 June – Lost to India by 124 runs

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

12 June – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets

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 – First semi-final (England v Pakistan), Cardiff (D)

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

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)