The stage is set for a high-voltage encounter tonight at 8 PM IST at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York as India take on Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
India enter the contest on a winning note, having secured a comfortable victory against Ireland in their opening encounter. Conversely, Pakistan seek redemption after a shocking defeat against the tournament co-hosts, the United States.
The Men in Blue displayed clinical precision against Ireland, restricting them to a modest total of 96 runs. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah, shared the wickets effectively. Chasing a modest target, India rode on a composed half-century from Rohit Sharma (52*) and a valuable contribution from Rishabh Pant (36*) to clinch the victory.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will be aiming to bounce back from a morale-sapping loss. They were considered favourites against the USA but were stunned by a spirited performance from the tournament debutants. Despite a valiant effort from Babar Azam (44) and Shadab Khan (40), their batting faltered initially. However, a late cameo from Shaheen Afridi (23*) helped them reach a defendable total of 159/7. However, the American team, riding on a wave of momentum, chased down the target and emerged victorious in a thrilling super-over finish.
Tonight’s encounter promises to be a different proposition altogether. The India-Pakistan clash is a cricketing spectacle that transcends national boundaries, drawing immense interest from fans and players alike. The last time these two teams met in a T20 World Cup was in 2022, where Virat Kohli‘s exceptional knock secured victory for India. Kohli, who boasts an astounding average of 81.33 against Pakistan in T20Is with 488 runs, remains a key player for India.
Looking at Pakistan, their batting is spearheaded by Babar, the current leading run-scorer in T20Is for 2024 with 582 runs at an average of 38.80. In bowling, Afridi has been a force to be reckoned with, leading the T20I bowling charts with 27 wickets at an impressive average of 15.96.
Head-to-Head:
Historically, India dominate the head-to-head record, winning 9 out of 12 T20I encounters against Pakistan. In the T20 World Cup specifically, India hold a dominant advantage, winning six out of seven matches, including a memorable victory in the inaugural edition in 2007. Their sole defeat came in the 2021 edition, which remains Pakistan’s only World Cup win of any format against India.
Where to watch:
TV: Star Sports
OTT: Disney+ Hotstar