ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan’s(PAK) Predicament Adds Spice To India(IND) Match-Up In New York at WT20.

IND and PAK are set to lock horns in the 19th match of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday, June 9.You hardly need it when India(IND) play Pakistan(PAK) at the World Cup, but Pakistan’s poor start in the USA means there’s plenty of cricketing context to this game. Here we go, again. One of the consequences of their politically motivated estrangement in the bilateral-cricket ecosystem is a heightened sense of anticipation when India and Pakistan meet at an ICC event. Even if it’s happened 12 times at 11 tournaments in the 13 years since 2011.

This time, however, is different. India and Pakistan are playing in New York. The ICC are hoping the 34,000-seater stadium it spent millions to speed-build in the span of five months will be at full capacity, to show America the spectacle cricket can be in its most fever-pitched form. There won’t be as many as there were in Melbourne, it won’t be as one-sided as Ahmedabad was, but they will come, and hopefully be witness to a contest worthy of the occasion.

IND vs PAK Previous Performances

India (IND) will take on Pakistan (PAK) in the 19th game of the T20 World Cup 2024. The game will be played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, and will start at 8:00 PM IST on June 9.

India will be confident heading into the blockbuster match after a comprehensive win over Ireland in their tournament opener. Indian bowlers had a brilliant outing against Ireland and bowled them out for a mere 96. Later, a 52 by Rohit Sharma and some lusty blows from Rishabh Pant ensured an easy win for the team.

Pakistan on the other hand suffered a shambolic defeat to the USA in the last game. Despite going into the game as heavy favourites, Pakistan failed to play their best cricket. Pakistan’s batting crumbled against the USA and the team could only score 159 in 20 overs, courtesy of Shadab Khan’s 40, however, the bowlers failed to defend the target.

USA pushed the match in the Super Over where Pakistan conceded a defeat. The game against India now becomes a must-win for Pakistan in terms of Super 8 qualification. The Men in Green will somehow have to beat India to keep realistic hopes of reaching the next round.

IND vs PAK Head to Head

India lead 6-1 in their seven T20 World Cup meetings against Pakistan. Each of the last five T20 WC games between the two have been won by chasing teams.

IND vs PAK Pitch Report

Batting here is expected to be challenging. While conditions have improved compared to previous matches, the pitch still demands precision from the batters. Bowlers who can consistently hit the right areas will find success, making it crucial for batters to be patient and selective with their shots. Expect a competitive contest between bat and ball.

A high-octane contest with passions running high on the field and in the stands. While India – with a better batting line-up – are the favourites, but in an India-Pakistan match, reputation, form and track record has little meaning. With the pitch assisting the fast bowlers, it is unlikely to be a high-scoring game but will nevertheless be a keenly contested one.

One of the consequences of creating an international cricket stadium on park land in record time is that the quality of drop-in pitches, which were grown in Florida and transported to New York, has been substandard.

South Africa dismissed Sri Lanka for 77 on pitch No. 1 and chased down the target with some difficulty. India dismissed Ireland for 96 on pitch No. 4 two days later. In that match, Harry Tector, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant were hit on the body, with unpredictable bounce, exaggerated seam movement, and a slow outfield making run-scoring extremely difficult. Following widespread criticism, the ICC acknowledged the problem and said it was trying to find a fix.

On Friday, Canada became the first team to score more than 100 in New York, and defended their score of 137 by 12 runs against Ireland on pitch No. 4. South Africa played Netherlands on a fresh surface – pitch No. 2 – on Saturday. Netherlands scored only 103 for 9 but South Africa were 12 for 4 before eventually winning by four wickets. David Miller, however, said pitch no. 2 played better than pitch no. 1. So India and Pakistan are likely to play on pitch no. 4 or 2.

Fast bowlers have dominated the games so far in New York. With Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir and Haris Rauf lining up for Pakistan, and Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya lining up for India, batters on both sides could be in for a battle unless conditions somehow turn out to be dramatically different. The weather in New York was sunny on the eve of the match, but some weather websites have forecast showers for Sunday morning.

IND vs PAK Big Picture Make-or-nearly-break for Pakistan

So, if this particular fixture didn’t have enough riding on it already, Pakistan gave it several extra helpings of context with their incredible meltdown against USA in Dallas. Babar Azam’s side unraveled against Virat Kohli in a high-pressure finish in 2022 and were utterly overwhelmed in 2023. If they lose to India again on Sunday, their chances of qualifying for the Super Eights will be at the mercy of other results going their way. Rohit Sharma’s men aren’t facing that sort of heat, having beaten Ireland in their first game.

IND vs PAK Vital stats that matters