India’s domination in the ongoing Cricket World Cup has disheartened after their latest defeat against the host side England. Meanwhile, India’s loss has made a tougher job for Pakistan to qualify in the semi-finals of the ongoing Cricket World Cup. Recently, the former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has given a controversial statement on India’s recent defeat.
In the ongoing 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the Indian team is playing as one of the favourite sides. Before their match against England, India was unbeaten in this tournament. With the time progress, India has played dominant cricket in this CWC. After beating South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Windies, India has almost secured their spot for the semi-finals.
India needs one more point to book their spot for the semi-finals. Observing this domination, many believed that India would beat England and secure their semi-finals spot. As Pakistan beat England earlier in this tournament, many Pakistan fans had the great faith on the Indian players.
However, India suffered a 31-run defeat in that high-scoring match. After England managed the first innings total of 337/7 (50 overs), India replied with 306/5 (50 overs). Many Pakistan supporters didn’t like the Indian players’ attitude towards that match.
Abdul Razzaq gave a religious angle
After this match, Abdul Razzaq has given a religious angle on India’s defeat. He feels that Mohammed Shami was the only player to give his full effort due to his religion. Notably, the Indian pacer Mohammed Shami was one of the standout performers for India in that match as he had the bowling figures of 10-0-69-5.
In a local televison channel, Razzq told, “Shami to hai bhi Musalman, Wo pura jor laga raha tha match main unlike other team members, (Translation- Since Shami is a Muslim, he was trying his best in the match unlike other team members) ”
Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli also played well in that match
Though many Indian players failed to play to their full potential in that match, most of them tried their best. Apart from Mohammed Shami, another Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah bowled brilliantly in that match. In that entire match, Bumrah was the most economical bowler as he had the bowling figures of 10-1-44-1.
Later, the vice-captain Rohit Sharma and the captain Virat Kohli both played crucial innings after the opener KL Rahul‘s (0) early dismissal. While Sharma (102 runs) scored a century, Kohli (66 runs) scored his fifth consecutive 50+ score. Indian batsmen tried hard in that second innings to chase that large target, but they closely failed to reach that target.
Pakistan still have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals of this tournament. However, at first, they have to look at England’s last round-robin stage match result which will be against New Zealand on 3rd July. If England suffers a defeat in that match, it will open Pakistan chance to qualify for the semi-finals.