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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Moeen Ali backs "dangerous" England's chances going into T20 World Cup

Moeen Ali believes other teams will "fear" playing England at the T20 World Cup following their dramatic 4-3 series win over Pakistan, despite admitting he believes India and defending champions Australia are the favourites.

Having wrapped up a series victory with a thumping 67 run win in the final T20I, Moeen is confident a "very dangerous" England side are in a "good position now going into the World Cup".

He said: "If you look at the last two games of this series, both must-win matches, going into a World Cup that's really important, because the pressure to perform was huge. We're in a very good position now going into the World Cup. I know we are a very dangerous team to play and other teams will fear playing us. But I still think Australia and India are the two favourites."

Moeen described the seven match series as "amazing", focusing on the returns of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes and the "outstanding" performances of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook as the major positives.

"We were disappointed in the end, because looking back I think if we'd been really on it we'd probably have won 6-1," he added. "We were disappointed with those two chases in particular.

"But the series has been an amazing one, to be 3-3 and then to win the last one is great. When we look back at the newer guys in particular, and how they've played, Ben Duckett and Brooky have been outstanding almost every game.

Jos Buttler did not play against Pakistan as he continues his recovery from a calf injury (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

"We've had Woody and Woakesy coming back after long injuries and how we changed the team often but still managed to play well and win was incredible." Moeen deputised as captain for the entire tour, with Jos Buttler taking a "cautious approach" as he recovers from a calf injury sustained in The Hundred.

"It would be nice to play but with the World Cup round the corner, we are taking a cautious approach," Buttler told Sky Sports . "I am running a few drinks, getting the loads up, feeling good.

"I feel like if it was a World Cup game tomorrow I could play but I am being a bit cautious and taking it a bit slowly. If I had to, I could play."

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