Eoin Morgan, England’s limited-overs’ captain, on Sunday, 14th April, picked Pakistan as one of the “favourites” for the upcoming 2019 World Cup to be played in England and Wales from 30 May.
Before getting into their 2019 World Cup campaign, both England and Pakistan will play 5-match One Day International series in England and Morgan feels this series will be a great warm-up to sharp both sides ahead of the showpiece event and they are looking forward to the series at home.
The Englishman also said the Men in Green should not be taken lightly as they fought well in England to win Champions Trophy 2017 and he is expecting the same in the World Cup 2019.
As per reports in ICC’s official website, Morgan told media, “[The Pakistan series] is a nice way to ease into the summer and get some really good, competitive cricket going. Pakistan are probably second or third favorites for the tournament. They hold the Champions Trophy – playing extremely well to win that, in England – so it’s a series we’re all looking forward to.”
Meanwhile, England made a tremendous improvement in their ODI game since their heartbreaking ouster from 2015 Word Cup and now the World No.1 ranked ODI side has been widely touted as favorites for the maiden prestigious title at home this time given their recent white-ball form.
Morgan said the hosts have already got their winning squad for the upcoming IC event, and Pakistan series will be a great opportunity for them to show their form to stake their claim for World Cup positions.
He signed off by saying, “Over the four years we’ve been together, we have had so many guys who have contributed to the position we find ourselves. We’ve gone past a 15-man squad of guys who can contribute into probably an 18-, a 19-man squad who could all easily be selected for the final 15. And one benefit from having the Pakistan series in the build-up is that guys who are in form will get opportunities to stake their claim for World Cup positions.”
(With ICC Inputs)
