Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, England, ICC Champions Trophy 2017, semifinals
Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler celebrate after beating Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, June 10, 2017Reuters

The hosts and three teams from South Asia – the semifinal lineup of the ICC Champions Trophy isn't one most would have predicted. While England and India qualifying for the final four isn't a surprise, the fact that they are joined by Bangladesh and Pakistan is.

Bangladesh and Pakistan came back from the dead to qualify for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy, finding form at just the right time and holding their nerve in key moments to put themselves two wins away from the title.

Pakistan were the last team to qualify for the semifinals, beating Sri Lanka in a thrilling contest on Monday to set up a clash against England.

Here is a look at the two semifinals, with the schedule, time, date, venue and TV listings of both the matches.

England vs Pakistan:

Date: Wednesday, June 14.

 

Time: 10.30am BST, 2.30pm PST, 5.30am ET, 3pm IST.

 

Venue: Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff.

Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, CT 2017
Sarfraz Ahmed goes on a run after guiding Pakistan past Sri Lanka and into the semifinals, June 12, 2017Reuters

While Pakistan had to go through a lot of drama to seal their place in the semifinals, England took the calm route. Justifying their tag as the pre-tournament favourites, England won every single one of their group matches, beating Australia in their last game to knock their rivals out of the competition.

Right now, England look the most dangerous side in this ICC Champions Trophy 2017, with the team packed with match-winners everywhere you look.

Pakistan, if they are to reach the final, are going to have to muster up a better batting effort than they have done so far in this competition, because against this England side, playing at a 100% in one discipline won't do – it's going to have to be all systems go.

TV listings: India: Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD1. UK: Sky Sports 2. Pakistan: PTV and Star Sports. USA: Willow TV. New Zealand: Sky Sport. Australia: Fox Sports. Middle East: OSN Sports Cricket. South Africa: SuperSport 2. Singapore: Star Cricket.

Virat Kohli, India, Bangladesh, semifinals, ICC CT
Virat Kohli and India cannot afford to be complacent against BangladeshGlyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

India vs Bangladesh:

Date: Thursday, June 15.

 

Time: 10.30am BST, 3pm IST, 3.30pm Bangladesh time, 5.30am ET.

 

Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham.

The last time these two teams met in an ICC tournament, we saw one of the most exciting and improbable finishes to a game. Bangladesh, needing just two runs from the last three balls, somehow managed to bungle it up, allowing India to pick up an amazing victory in Bengaluru.

These two sides also played a close game in the ICC World Cup 2015 quarterfinal, where a decision here or there might have turned the game around.

Mahmudullah, Mosaddek, Bangladesh, New Zealand, semifinals
As New Zealand found out, Bangladesh are a dangerous side in limited-overs cricketStu Forster/Getty Images

So, this won't be an easy game for India. Yes, they might have thumped Bangladesh in the warm-up game prior to the start of the tournament, but this side, as they showed against New Zealand, are a real force in coloured clothing, and India are going to have to be at their absolute best to get through to the final.

TV listings: India: DD National, Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD1. Bangladesh: GTV and Star Sports. UK: Sky Sports 2. South Africa: SuperSport 2. New Zealand: Sky Sport. Australia: Fox Sports. USA: Willow TV. Middle East: OSN Sports Cricket. Singapore: Star Cricket.