Former English cricketer Kevin Pietersen have expressed his dissatisfaction over England’s loss to Pakistan in the first semifinal of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.
The hosts were considered an overwhelming favorites to win the coveted trophy but were tamed by an inspired Pakistan team on Wednesday as the latter won the crucial game comprehensively with eight wickets in hand and 12.5 overs to spare.
Kevin Pietersen, who has last represented England in 2014, has tweeted: “Gutted for England. They should have won this tournament! Too good a team to mess it up! More experience for 2019 though! On on!”
Gutted for England. They should have won this tournament! Too good a team to mess it up!
More experience for 2019 though! On on!— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) June 14, 2017
England were considered as one of the top teams in the world in ODI format as they are playing aggressive brand of cricket since their group stage exit in 2015 World Cup. The team’s fearlessness led by Eoin Morgan has made England a formidable side in the limited overs formats.
They had lived up to their expectations in the tournament as they won all their three games in the group stages and were the first team to qualify for the semifinals. But the English batsmen had let the team down as they collapsed from 128/2 to 211/10 by the end of their innings.
The total did not seem enough to defend as Pakistan openers made mockery over new ball bowlers as both Azhar Ali and newcomer Fakhar Zaman managed to score half centuries during the chase. Exciting youngster Babr Azam and Mohammed Hafeez saw Pakistan home in one of their most dominating displays in recent years.
The result means Pakistan will be playing their first ever Champions Trophy final on Sunday and await their opponents for the crucial game. India are set to lock horns with Bangladesh on Thursday in the second semifinal of the tournament.
There are very good chances of seeing an India vs Pakistan final on Sunday. England, meanwhile, would be looking into what went wrong in the game against Pakistan as they will now build their squad for 2019 World Cup which will also be played in England & Wales.