As Ben Stokes returned to form, England rose from the bottom of the World Cup 2023 points table with a 160-run win. Having been knocked out of the World Cup 2023 semi-final race early, England's target is to qualify for Champions Trophy 2025. A win against Babar Azam-led side will ensure their berth in the tournament which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. It will also knock out Pakistan out of the semi-final race. England's captain ahead of taking on Pakistan said that the win in their last game of the tournament would mean a lot.
“Absolutely desperate for the win. Malan got us off to a flier. Partnership between Stokes and Woakes was fantastic. Anytime you need someone to stand up, he (Stokes) seems to be the guy to do that. Smart cricket between him and Woakes. Thought it was a good score. But everyone who batted said it was a good pitch,” Buttler said in the post-match presentation.
Follow the Sports Tak channel on WhatsApp
“The toss - you got to play good cricket as well. Can look back and say might've done different but you have to play good cricket too. He's a class cricketer (Woakes), been a brilliant performer for us. It was high-class swing bowling, deserved more than one wicket that he got. Huge game (Pakistan). At the end of a disappointing tournament it means a lot.”
Buttler has been going through a rough patch in the tournament. After the 43-run knock against New Zealand, he has struggled to score. Against the Netherlands, he threw his wicket away by handing an easy catch to the mid-off fielder. After departing for just five runs, Buttler has 111 runs from eight games at an average of 13.87.
Meanwhile, Chris Woakes returned to form with both bat and ball. After England lost six wickets under 200, Woakes shared a 129-run partnership with Stokes. He became England’s first no.8 batter to score a half-century at World Cups. The partnership between Woakes and Stokes is the second-highest for the seventh wicket in World Cups.
“He (Woakes) is a genuine all-rounder for us, he has been a great cricketer for England over the last 2-3 years, and today he proved it,” Stokes lauded Woakes for providing support with the bat.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
