Captain Eoin Morgan rued a lack of support for centurions Jos Buttler and Joe Root – and a poor display in the field – after England slipped to a 14-run defeat at the hands of Pakistan in Monday’s World Cup fixture at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Pakistan amassed 348 for eight on the back of half-centuries from the trio of Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Babar Azam. The hosts were later limited to 334 for nine, despite Root’s 107 and Buttler’s 103.

‘With the ball we restricted them, bearing in mind the wicket was good and the outfield fast. And we recovered with the bat with that substantial partnership between Buttler and Root. Those guys played brilliantly, but they did just keep us in the game. They needed more help, either from the other four in the top six, or the guys down the order,’ said Morgan.

‘Fielding is an attitude thing. So it’s a matter of taking our stand-off attitude in the field today and getting back to our positive attitude where we go for everything. We need to create that fearless nature where we maybe take a half chance rather than standing off a normal chance.’

Morgan served a one-match suspension due to England’s slow over rate during last month’s series against Pakistan, but was confident of maintaining a tight schedule this time. England’s next match will be against Bangladesh at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday.

‘I think our over rate was good. The umpires are my only gauge and they said we were level with three overs to go,’ he concluded.

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