CARDIFF: Waqar Younis slammed a suggestion by England captain Eoin Morgan that a used pitch had been responsible for their downfall after Pakistan thrashed the tournament hosts by eight wickets in a dramatically one-sided Champions Trophy semi-final at Cardiff on Wednesday.
Pakistan bowled England out for just 211, in an era where 300 is considered a one-day international ‘par score’ after captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and fielded.
They then cruised to their victory target finishing on 215 for two with a massive 77 balls to spare.
“Coming from Edgbaston which was a good wicket to a used wicket, we didn’t adapt very well,” Morgan said.
That prompted Pakistan fast-bowling great Waqar to tweet: “Stop giving that lame excuse Eoin Morgan regarding the used pitch…You guys have been thrashed fair and square by Pakistan”
Pakistan had played in Cardiff on Monday, beating Sri Lanka in what was a virtual quarter-final, and Morgan added: “Pakistan did that (adapt) extremely well and full credit to them.
“They outplayed us on this wicket. I don’t think we were simply used to it. We did prepare like we were going to play on a used wicket,” said the former Ireland batsman.
“Pakistan bowled well but we didn’t manage to adjust with the bat. Two hundred isn’t a competitive score.”
