IND vs ENG: "I Thought Ben Stokes Played A Magnificent Innings. These Sort Of Things Happen In T20 Cricket" - Adil Rashid Heaps Praise On English Star All-Rounder

England beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in their final Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, November 5. The Jos Buttler-led team sealed their place in the semifinals after winning the must-win encounter. The hosts, Australia, were eliminated from the tournament, and they have the same points, but a lower NRR than England and New Zealand.

Ben Stokes, who had struggled in the tournament so far, played an important role in England’s victory by pulling the team out of trouble. After the middle order’s collapse, the English star all-rounder held his nerves till the end and scored an unbeaten 42 runs off 36 balls.

Ben Stokes Played A Magnificent Innings – Adil Rashid

England leg spinner Adil Rashid heaped praise on his fellow teammate Ben Stokes for anchoring the run chase. Rashid said that Stokes played a great innings and that such things happen in T20 cricket. He didn’t pick a single wicket in the tournament before this game and was named the Man of the Match for his spell of 1/16 in his four overs.

“I thought Stokes played a magnificent innings. These sort of things happen in T20 cricket. You bowl dot balls, you take wickets and create the pressure, that is T20 cricket for you. I created a few chances, bowled well, but I think it was a great team effort. I think all the bowlers bowled well, Stokes, Wood, everyone. We got some assistance (spin and seam) from this wicket, you don’t get such assistance on Australian wickets,” said Rashid.

“I felt quite good, even before the tournament I was feeling good. I did my job, was focused on it, rest is history. The pitch might spin, seam, you need to assess the conditions accordingly. We get this kind of support wherever we go, hopefully they (fans) will come out in numbers in the next match (semi-final) as well,” said Rashid.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. They managed to score only 141 runs for 8 wickets, and Nisanka scored a half-century. Mark Wood took three wickets for England. In the run chase, England chased down the target for the loss of six wickets in the last over.

Also read: “Listen, I Will Never Touch A Cricket Ball Again Because It’s Not Something I Want To Go Through Again” – Former South Africa Skipper Faf Du Plessis