Morgan blames pitch, Waqar terms it lame
CARDIFF: England skipper Eoin Morgan said Pakistan were more comfortable playing on a slow wicket in Cardiff because “they played two days ago on it (when they beat Sri Lanka in a virtual quarter-final).”
Pakistan beat England to enter the Champions Trophy final after the hosts, who were undefeated in the league stages, managed to put up just 211 on Wednesday.
Morgan, however, gave credit to Pakistan for their victory. “I thought they bowled really well. They adjusted to conditions extremely well.”
But he indicated the nature of the pitch made it more like a subcontinental surface than a British one. “I don’t think there was any home advantage, if that’s what you’re asking. I think, going into today’s game knowing that we were going to play on a used wicket potentially brought Pakistan’s game closer to their home (conditions),” he said. “So it was a big challenge and one that was too far for us.”
But Morgan promised lessons would be learnt. “One of the huge contributing factors towards topping our table and playing very good cricket in the group stages is that we’ve stayed true to what we believe in and what’s worked for us the last couple of years, and I think that’s the continued formula for the future,” he told reporters.
“I think it will have to evolve in whatever manner the game does over the next two years in the lead-in to the World Cup, but certainly I think we’re moving in the right direction. One of the things about knockout cricket is that you have to adapt to conditions,” the 30-year-old former Ireland star added.
Younis, however, defended his team and said Pakistan were clearly the better team on that day. “Stop giving that lame excuse Eoin Morgan regarding the used pitch. You guys have been thrashed fair n square by Pakistan,” Younis tweeted.
“This is what I envisioned for Pakistan, a team that can take up any challenge and fight back like they mean it,” Inzamam Ul-Haq tweeted.
“Cardiff’s air was filled with the chants of #PakistanZindabad today. My heart aches to hear these sounds again in stadiums of my Pakistan!” he further said referring to the fact that Pakistan don’t play their home matches at home but in Dubai.