New Delhi, Feb 8: England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood is optimistic that his team can still clinch the ODI series against India if they secure victories in their remaining two matches in Cuttack and Ahmedabad.
Following a 1-4 defeat in the T20I series and a four-wicket loss in the opening ODI in Nagpur, Mahmood expressed confidence in England’s ability to bounce back.
“While the results so far haven’t gone as we’d hoped, it’s important for us to stay focused on our approach and stick together as a team. If we keep doing the right things, we can turn things around,” Mahmood said.
He acknowledged the difficulty of playing against India in India, calling it one of the toughest challenges in cricket. “Competing in India is incredibly challenging, but if we fight hard in the upcoming matches, we could still win the series,” Mahmood explained.
He stressed the importance of looking forward and not letting past setbacks affect their mindset. “It’s crucial to move on from previous results, or else they’ll weigh you down and impact your performance in the next match,” he added.
On the subject of Jofra Archer, Mahmood commented on the pacer’s performance, noting that Archer hasn’t had much luck with wickets in this series. He highlighted that India’s batsmen have been using his pace to their advantage. “Sometimes in formats like T20, numbers don’t fully reflect the bowler’s skill. Jofra has been bowling excellently, running in at full pace and swinging the ball. It’s just a matter of crediting the batters for their efforts,” Mahmood said.
He further expressed confidence in Archer’s role, describing him as a match-winner and a key asset for the team. “Jofra is our X-factor, and within the team, everyone is pleased with his performance,” he added.
Mahmood also spoke about the advantages of playing in India ahead of the Champions Trophy. “Competing against India on these challenging pitches will definitely help sharpen my skills and prepare us for the Champions Trophy. It’s an important tournament, and with the experience here, we’ll be better prepared when we face Pakistan in the group stages,” he concluded.
