Jos Buttler’s England entered the World Cup 2023 as firm favourites but they are far from anything of that sort. The doors to the semis are almost closed for the defending champions following the fourth consecutive loss, by 100 runs to India, in the tournament, leaving the former cricketer questioning their intent so far.
The latest to join the bandwagon is former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar who has slammed the Three Lions for their approach in the ODIs. In a video posted on microblogging site X on Monday, Akhtar stated that England are applying the T20 formula to win 50-over games which only indicates ‘poor planning’.
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“India have beaten England very badly,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel. “England got defeated badly because they are playing such a brand of cricket where they are bringing T20 cricket into ODIs. There is no planning on who will build an innings, who will play at a run-a-ball, who will construct an innings and who will slog,” said Akhtar.
“I am very sad to see England heading out of the World Cup. Bazball is fine in Test matches, but you have to play an ODI like an ODI,” he added.
England has been a big surprise package this World Cup. Just not in the way they may have wanted to be. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/6Itp721pDQ— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 29, 2023
With three games to go in the league stage, only an unlikely mathematical miracle will save England who are reeling at the bottom of the points table with just 2 points and 5 defeats.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, England captain Jos Buttler expressed his disappointment over his team’s campaign.
“Answers on a postcard. There’s some top players in there who were a long way short of their best,” said captain Jos Buttler at the post-match show.
“Very disappointing. At the halfway stage chasing 230 we fancied ourselves. But it’s the same old story.
“The gut feeling was that we wanted to chase. It is as good as we have been with the ball throughout the tournament. We took some good wickets so we are very disappointed,” he added.
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