England all-rounder Moeen Ali has highlighted the need to take T20 cricket seriously even as the ODI World Cup draws closer. The veteran cricketer also believes that T20 cricket is a good build-up for the 50-over mega tournament. After winning the first two T20 matches, the Kiwi team defeated England by 74 runs in the third T20 match. New Zealand, batting first, scored 202 runs in 20 overs; However, England were bowled out for 128 runs with captain Jos Buttler top-scoring with 40 runs.
We have our first wicket! 💥
Fantastic work in the deep from Moeen Ali 👏 #EnglandCricket | #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/vA0EF6EzKH
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 3, 2023
Speaking ahead of the fourth T20 match, Moeen said that he wants to continue playing T20 cricket, especially with an eye on next year’s T20 World Cup. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, he said:
“I think it’s difficult to compare 50 overs to T20s, but it’s good being under pressure as a side. I think we’ll learn more in the 50-over series [against New Zealand] but still you can learn, the T20 World Cup’s not too far away and on these kind of wickets we need to adapt better. You still want to be playing T20 cricket because of the [T20] World Cup being next June. It’s just how it is with the schedule. But T20s is a nice build-up to 50-overs.”
The English are world champions in both 50-over and T20 cricket. England won their second T20 World Cup last year by defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“We’re Not Overawed By The Occasions” – Moeen Ali
The 36-year-old has credited the IPL for helping players handle the pressure well on the grandest of stages and remain determined to win the 2023 World Cup. He added:
“It’s not like we go into World Cups now thinking we’re not going to win it. We’re in that luxury position: it’s always great to look forward to these World Cups knowing you’ve got a great chance to win. The mindset’s completely different now. Playing IPLs and stuff has been an unbelievable, great experience for everyone. We’re not overawed by the occasions, we’re in a position where we’re going into World Cups that we want to win and retain.”
Mo strikes with his 4th ball! 🤯 #EnglandCricket | #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/nz0yJOybih
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2023
England will open the 2023 World Cup against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5.
