http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World Twenty20 - England's performance - An Overview - Part II
Afghanistan now had no chance of salvaging the game and could only aim to play the rest of the overs to avoid complete embarrassment.
Gulbodin Naib and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shapoor-Zadran-c89730 then forged an unexpected partnership as the two batsmen – with nothing to lose – launched an aggressive batting onslaught as if practicing their hard-hitting skills.
While Zadran fell for nine, Naib went on to stagger an impressive innings of 44 before Afghanistan succumbed to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 on 80 runs.
Delighted by his side’s performance, the English skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SCJ-Broad-c2465 said, “We batted maturely, Luke Wright's innings was outstanding and when the guys came in at the end and struck the ball it was very powerful and exciting to see. We bowled well at the
start, you're always going to concede a few runs in T20 but it was a good win. It's amazing to see teams like Afghanistan here, it's important to grow the game and hopefully this inspires people in their country. We'll be fired up and wanting a win [against
India] and that's the only attitude to take when you cross the line."
Having secured a desirable victory in their first match, England were en route to a big performance in the tournament – at least that is what they thought.
England v India: (India won by 90 runs)
England’s second match in the ICC World Twenty20 was perhaps their biggest challenge and unlike Afghanistan, their opponents were somewhat a big force as it was time for a show down with the reigning One Day International (ODI) champions http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
The match was nothing England had expected as it exposed their weakness against quality spin and their ineffective bowling against a strong batting line-up.
After winning the toss, Broad thought it would be a good idea to field first just to halt India from hammering a big total.
England made headways by grabbing their first wicket with just 24 on the board as IK Pathan fell to Finn after hammering eight runs.
However, what happened next was a nightmare for England, as the bowlers were completely outplayed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737. The two young Indian batsmen launched a remorseless batting offensive, reducing the English to rubble.
With bowlers getting hammered all around the park, Broad had clearly run out of ideas and perhaps faith in his side.
Finally with 81 on the board, Kohli was removed by spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501 after the batsman had jabbed a knock of 40 runs.
However, this was not the end of their troubles as India forged another intimidating partnership with Gambhir tagging alongside http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309 to bolster the score to 119. In a T20 game, score this big and with a few overs remaining, team batting second is destined
to go through fire.
With Gambhir perishing after scoring 45, Sharma staged an unbeaten knock of 55 to help India pile 170 for four.
India were not done as they bamboozled England by making inroads with only two on the board. Then after having posted only 18 runs, England suffered the demise of their second wicket when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745) was trapped in
front of stumps for six runs.
To be continued ........
The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy
Tags: