India vs Pakistan T20 WC 2024 clash takes centre stage at Nassau International Cricket Stadium, New York, the venue for the Group A encounter between these two arch-rivals, on June 9. The atmosphere as usual is expected to be electric as fans of both teams are likely to witness the mega clash. The stadium is likely to be packed to the rafters. Both these sides look strong on paper and will be itching to go past each other on Sunday.
As always, many are asking – who is the favourite in the India vs Pakistan clash in the World Cup? Let’s scan!
Record Favours India, Pakistan Emerged Strong in Last Two ICC T20 WCs
India have had a fantastic record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups, winning 6 encounters and losing one. Looking at the records, it’s not a surprise seeing cricket pundits backing India to win the tie against Pakistan. However, the Babar Azam-led Pakistani unit emerged stronger in the last T20 WC editions held in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In fact, Pakistan went on to beat India for the first in World Cup cricket in the 2021 Edition held in the UAE. India lost that encounter by a humiliating 10-wicket margin. Pakistan ended a nearly three-decade-long drought of being unable to beat India in World Cups with this feat.
A year later, Pakistan had almost won the contest against India at the packed Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) if not for those two killer sixes hit by Virat Kohli on back-to-back deliveries of Haris Rauf. It all boiled down to 28 off 8 before Virat Kohli inspired India to a thrilling four-wicket win over Pakistan at MCG.
Pakistan after being put in to bat scored a reasonable 159. The target seemed all too easy for the much-vaunted Indian batting line-up. But little did India know that Pakistan were about to spring a surprise by restricting them to 31 for 4 before Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya combined to revive the Indian innings. It was one hell of a contest that went all the way down to the wire. Expecting another cracker of a contest between the two on Sunday.
Sunday Clash Will be About All-rounders of India vs Pakistan
The drop-in pitch at New York might surprise both India and Pakistan, arguably the contenders for semi-final spots in T20 WC 2024. It may either favour bowlers or batters, depending on how the surface pans out. Keeping in mind the uncertainties surrounding the wicket, it pays to arm the side with all-rounders.
India have been blessed with all-rounders in the form of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube. However, given the overall composition of the side, only two or three of them might get a look in. Whereas if we talk about Pakistan, there are only two notable all-rounders – Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan. India clearly hold an edge here.
Scanning Batting Prowess of India vs Pakistan at T20 WC 2024
India have a star-studded batting line-up boasting of the likes of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli in the top three, followed by Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. A batting line-up that can scare opposition when on song. This makes them a strong contender for T20 World Cup 2024. Whereas Pakistan’s batting will rely heavily on Babar Azam, Mohd. Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan. Some of them are unknown commodities and can surprise India. However, experience matters in World Cup cricket. Keeping that in mind, India hold an edge over Pakistan as far as batting goes.
How Strong is the Pakistani Bowling Unit Compared to India’s?
The Pakistani bowling line-up, particularly fast bowlers, are an absolute treat to watch. The swing and guile of Shaheen Shah Afridi, the pace and bounce of Haris Rauf, the seam movement of Naseem Shah, and the pace and swing of the comeback man Mohd, Amir.
India, on the other hand, have good fast bowlers too with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohd, Siraj spearheading the bowling attack. The likes of Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya can add variety to the bowling line-up.
However, looking at the overall strength in the pace bowling department, Pakistan have a slight edge over India in the T20 WC 2024 clash on June 9, 2024.
Wrapping Up
India vs Pakistan contests defy popular perceptions as teams look to outwit each other by devising out-of-the-box strategies and displaying maverick moments. Stakes are riding high on both sides as fans and media of both countries put the weight of expectations on them. Sunday will see the team who handles the expectation better, or will there be a Super Over? Let’s find out! From all of us at zarooribaathai.in – The Voice of Truth, it’s goodbye!
