Karachi-born former England batsman Owais Shah believes hosts have a good combination to rely on Eoin Morgan while predicting the limited-overs skipper has brought stability to the team, adding the skipper is capable of leading the unit, as they have a chance to lift their maiden 2017 ICC Champions Trophy title.
“I’m excited by this group of guys who are playing one-day cricket for England at the moment, I think they can go all the way, and even win the trophy,” Shah was quoted as saying by Ealing Times.
The 38-year-old right-handed batsman has hailed Morgan for his positive approach towards the game before tipping the left-hander would give his best to claim the title.
“Since Eoin [Morgan] has taken over the captaincy, the guys have gone from strength-to-strength. They’re not scared of expressing themselves, even if they are in a bit of trouble during a game,” Shah said on Morgan.
England will play their first match in a Group A on June 1 at The Oval against Bangladesh which is currently placed at the number seventh position in One-day International cricket in ICC’s rankings.
“That is a very good trait to have as a captain because when the chips are down, he puts his hand up and I think that is something the team can bounce off,” Shah said on Morgan.
England which has been termed as favourites for the coveted title has gained a confidence by winning three-match ODI series 2-0 this month against Ireland.
“I think Eoin has brought that to the team, that fearless brand of cricket which is what the team are playing at the moment,” Shah added.
Interestingly, the 30-year-old Dublin-born Morgan was also the part of Ireland cricket team.
“I think Eoin is a very, very good player, and I don’t think people give him enough credit. He is a class act,” Shah further added.
In 2013, it was India’s skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led the visitors to an emphatic title win over hosts by five runs after a closely-fought encounter which was marred by rain and just twenty overs were bowled in both the innings at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.
“I’m very excited for the Champions Trophy. Last time England played in the tournament, we were unfortunately beaten by an Indian side who probably felt more at home than the England team because of the conditions,” Shah remarked.
Shah, who has shown the satisfaction over the 15-member squad of England, recounted the hosts have regrouped in white-ball cricket as a unit while giving their best on the field.
“I have seen him [Eoin Morgan] grow up. We were both at Middlesex and I saw his development right from a young age. He’s mentally strong, and when he is under pressure, he produces,” Shah recollected.
Shah made a statement while saying the hosts have been playing fearless cricket, as this year has witnessed good all-round cricket from the boys in general.
Earlier, England qualified for the final of mega event twice which saw them losing against the West Indies by two wickets in 2004 before 2013 final against defending champions India as both fixtures were at home.
“It’s more of case of going and winning the game for England which is the correct mindset for a sportsman, to be able to go on and do well in a competition,” Shah concluded.
As England is scheduled to hosts the ICC Champions Trophy for a record third time, it would be an exciting phase that how a team would fair in this edition which further witnessed the hike in the prize amounts from the world cricket governing body itself.
Morgan played 178 ODIs in which he has scored 5,404 runs at an average of 37.79 which included 10 hundred and 32 fifties.