Pakistan and India are set to face off in an exciting T20 World Cup 2024 match at the Nassau County International Stadium on Sunday, June 9, with the game starting at 7:30 PM (PST). This highly anticipated clash sees India coming in strong after a win over Ireland, while Pakistan is looking to bounce back from a Super Over loss to the United States.
In a positive development for Pakistan, all-rounder Imad Wasim, who missed the previous match against the USA due to injury, has been declared fit for the crucial encounter against India. Head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed Imad’s fitness during a pre-match press briefing on Saturday. Imad’s return is expected to bolster the team’s lineup, likely replacing Azam Khan, who has struggled recently with three ducks in his last six T20I appearances.
The final Pakistan squad will depend on the pitch and weather conditions at Nassau County International Stadium. With a 50 percent chance of rain forecasted in New York on Sunday and potentially overcast skies, Pakistan may opt for a strong four-man pace attack including Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, and Haris Rauf. However, if the pitch is more favorable to spin, Abrar Ahmed could be included in place of one of the fast bowlers.
Head coach Gary Kirsten emphasized that the playing XI will be finalized after thoroughly assessing the pitch conditions on match day, highlighting the team’s readiness to adapt their strategy as needed. “We are monitoring the fitness of a few players, so the final XI hasn’t been set yet. The players are familiar with each other’s games, and we’ll need to play our best according to the conditions,” Kirsten stated.
The expected lineup for Pakistan is:
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Babar Azam (c)
- Usman Khan
- Fakhar Zaman
- Shadab Khan
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Imad Wasim
- Shaheen Afridi
- Mohammad Amir
- Haris Rauf
- Naseem Shah/Abrar Ahmed
This match holds significant importance for both teams. For Pakistan, it is a chance to regain confidence and make a strong statement in the tournament. With key players like Imad Wasim back in action and a strategy tailored to the match conditions, Pakistan is poised to give their best effort in this much-anticipated clash. The outcome will be closely watched by fans worldwide, adding to the intense atmosphere surrounding this epic showdown.
