World Cup 2019: Four reasons why the tournament has been low-scoring

#3 Failing to win the middle overs phase

Apart from Kusal Perera, every batsman struggled against Afghanistan spinners

The middle over phase (11-40 overs) is the most important part of the innings. This is where you have to play some percentage cricket. Only the teams that don't lose wickets in this phase get a chance to come out all guns blazing towards the end.

However, the teams have lost wickets at regular intervals, that hasn't helped their cause. South Africa, in particular, have failed to take the game deep. They have lost 17 wickets in that phase, which has prevented them from attacking in the last 10 overs. The same was the case with Sri Lanka as well, who after an excellent start, found themselves in a corridor of uncertainty against Mohammad Nabi.

It's necessary to rotate the strike during the middle overs, something which hasn't been seen from many teams. The pressure that has built up due to this has resulted in wickets.