England skipper Eoin Morgan revealed that a 250-plus would have been a good total to compete with, but Pakistan played quite well on the day while adding Three Lions were not used to the conditions in Cardiff as he felt the visitors had an advantage of playing at the same ground in the virtual quarter-final against Sri Lanka on Monday (June 12).
“We did not manage to adjust with the bat. 200 was not a good score. 250-60 would have been competitive,” Eoin Morgan said at the post-match presentation.
Pakistan has steamrolled hosts England by eight wickets at Walles’ capital Cardiff, in the first semi-final of the ongoing edition – to qualify for their first ever final of the ICC Champions Trophy after chasing down the target of 212 in 37.1 overs with 77 balls to spare.
Babar Azam (38 off 45) and Mohammad Hafeez (31 off 21) saw Pakistan authoritatively home while rotating the strike.
“One thing which we did not do well today was to adapt to conditions, coming from Edgbaston,” Morgan revealed following team’s loss after coming through an unbeaten run in the Group stage game.
Morgan, who scored 33 off 53 deliveries stated Pakistan has played quality cricket while bowling well.
“One thing which we did not do well today was to adapt to conditions, coming from Edgbaston. Full credit to Pakistan. I don’t think we were used to it. Pakistan bowled well,” Morgan maintained.
From Pakistan, 118-run stand for the first wicket made things quite easier at the top which further saw Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman registering their respective half-centuries before both returned to the pavilion.
While speaking at the presentation, Morgan admitted the fact that there’s no home advantage when it comes to the big event like ICC Champions Trophy while maintaining one has to be prepared for such results.
“It’s the way tournament is. We knew that coming into the tournament. It’s the test of the Champions Trophy and you have to be prepared for it. There is no home advantage for any side,” Morgan revealed.
While speaking at the presentation, Morgan admitted the fact that there’s no home advantage when it comes to the big event like ICC Champions Trophy while maintaining one has to be prepared for such results.
“It’s the way tournament is. We knew that coming into the tournament. It’s the test of the Champions Trophy and you have to be prepared for it. There is no home advantage for any side,” Morgan added.
Talking about the bowling front, Morgan has expressed satisfaction with the bowling while reiterating they would learn from their mistakes, before stating such games help to make improvements as early as possible.
“We bowled okay. I think we will continue to learn that. I don’t think we played anything rash today.With the World Cup coming up, it’s important for us to go through games like today,” Morgan further added.
After England were undefeated many had termed the hosts favourites for the title, but it was Pakistan which had pulled a remarkable performance to come good against the Morgan-led side.
“One of the things about knockout cricket is that you have to adjust to conditions as you go from venue to venue,” Morgan concluded.
he left-handed Zaman was stumped by Jos Buttler on the bowling off leg-spinner Adil Rashid before Azhar Ali dragged short-ball of Jake Ball onto the stump when Pakistan was 173 in 32.2 overs.
Earlier, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed found coin falling in his favour, before opting to field first on a surface which seemed all different for England while batting first.