Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hafeez world cup 2019
Mohammad Hafeez: ICC

Pakistan’s experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said on Monday that India did not show the intent to win in the match played against England during the 2019 World Cup and this disappointed the cricket fan.

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In the match played in Birmingham, India lost to England by 31 runs. Due to this Pakistan was eliminated from the semi-finals.

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England all-rounder Ben Stokes said in a recent book that the manner in which India chased down the target of runs in that match was a little surprising. Following Stokes’ statement, many Pakistani cricketers had alleged that India had intentionally lost to England in the World Cup.

Mohammad Hafeez says India deliberately lost in World Cup 2019 vs England

Hafeez told reporters via video conferencing,

“Ask any cricket fan, everyone will say intent to play with spirit was not there. I don’t know about the results and who went out because of that. We played good cricket and we were out because of our small mistakes. So I can’t blame any result for that”

“But as a fan if I see the match, I did not see the match-winning intent. I felt bad for the sport. The encounter factor was missing where both teams were playing to win. The mistakes we made, we failed to tick a few boxes in the 2019 World Cup. But as a fan, that is my opinion about that game,” he added.

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Earlier former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed also said that India deliberately lost in the World Cup 2019 against England. But later on, former Indian cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra slammed him.

Hafeez was part of the Pakistan team in the World Cup. Hafeez has been included in the Pakistan team

for the three-match Test and the same match T20 series to be held in England in August-September.


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