Alex Hales hit just 13 runs as England were thrashed by Pakistan in Cardiff at the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final.

The 28-year-old started the innings positively for the hosts hitting two early boundaries before being caught by Babar Azam off the bowling of Rumman Raees early on.

The England battling line-up never really caught fire on a slow surface in the Welsh capital, with Joe Root top scoring with 46 and Jonny Bairstow 43 as the hosts scored a below-par 211 all out with one ball remaining.

The visitors then started aggressively as Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman both scored quick 50s to make their target look very easy.

Azam and Mohammed Hafeez then smashed a quick-fire partnership to ease Pakistan over the line with 13 overs to spare and give them a place in Sunday’s final at the Oval.

They will face either India or Bangladesh as the sub continent teams dominate this year’s Champions Trophy.