The 2022 edition of T20 World Cup 2022 has reached its business end, with England due to take on Pakistan in the summit clash at MCG on Sunday (November 13).
On the eve of the final, England skipper Jos Buttler addressed a press conference, where he mentioned that the semi-final performance against India doesn’t count for anything.
England outclassed India by 10 wickets in the second T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday (November 10) to book a spot in the final.
Chasing 169 to win, the Three Lions got over the line without breaking a sweat. The duo of Alex Hales (86* off 47 balls) and Buttler (80* off 49 balls) took the Indian bowling attack to the cleaners, sharing an unbeaten 170-run stand to overhaul the target with four overs remaining.
"Any time you get a chance to play in a World Cup final is a huge honour. We're really excited as a group, there's a nice feel around the team," Buttler told reporters.
"The previous performance (against India) gives us a lot of confidence, but it doesn't count for anything.
"Tomorrow we start a fresh game against a really tough opposition and any time you are fighting for a trophy you know it isn't going to come easy.
"So we will focus on them a little bit and on us a lot and what we need to do to prepare well today to turn up tomorrow and do the best we can," he added.
England continue to sweat over the fitness of Dawid Malan and Mark Wood, who both missed the semi-final against India.
"Obviously there's not many days since the semi-final, but we are giving them every chance," the captain said.
Phil Salt and Chris Jordan are again the likely replacements if they fail to recover in time.
England head into the all-important final as the current ODI world champions. As per Buttler, the experience of winning a world title would help them on Sunday (November 13).
"Yes, I think any experiences you can draw on, good or bad, you will have learned from those and can reflect on those when you are in a situation of adversity or chaos," he said.
"Those are things that can happen in a World Cup final so the more experience and being able to understand those feelings and how to react to them, I definitely see that as a benefit."
However, the England captain acknowledged that Pakistan are a top side with some excellent fast bowlers in their ranks.
"They have a fantastic team who have a very long history of producing excellent fast bowlers, and I see the team we are up against as no different," said Buttler.
"I'm sure by the end of their careers some of the players we are playing against will go down as some of the best Pakistan have produced.
"That's a huge part of why they are in the final, so we expect a really tough challenge."
(With AFP inputs)
