(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
LAHORE/LONDON – Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has claimed that England deliberately won their matches against India and New Zealand, in order to hurt Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in England and Wales.
The Eoin Morgan-led unit sealed their spot in the semis of 2019 World Cup with a win against New Zealand on Wednesday in Durham, effectively knocking Pakistan out of the tournament, unless the Sarfaraz Ahmed led side beat Bangladesh by a margin never seen in ODI history.
“England knew that by winning both their matches, they would knock Pakistan out of the World Cup, and they would never want Pakistan to qualify for the semi-final. England’s last two matches were against India and New Zealand, and everyone saw the way they played against those two sides,” Basit said while talking to The Dependent.
When this scribe asked for more clarification on the statement, Basit Ali questioned England’s approach towards these games.
“People don’t say that they won intentionally but England played in such a way that people won’t be able to make any remarks. They won deliberately, and no one will be able to point any fingers at them,” he added.
