In the much-awaited 19th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, cricket fans around the world will witness the most intense encounter between India (IND) and Pakistan (PAK). This thrilling encounter is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. India will enter this high-stakes match full of confidence as they won by 8 wickets over Ireland in their previous encounter.
The team replicated their form from IPL 2024 in the T20 World Cup as well and dominated the first match of the tournament. The win has taken the Men in Blue to second place in the Group A table with two crucial points to their name.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have had a shocking start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. An all-round poor performance led to a narrow defeat in the Super Over against the USA in their first match. The T20 World Cup 2022 finalists will now face a tough challenge against India. Currently placed third in Group A and with no points, a win over India could boost their morale significantly and infuse new life into their campaign.
As the much-awaited clash against India is approaching, let’s take a look at Pakistan’s probable XI for this thrilling encounter.
Pakistan’s probable playing XI
Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is expected to open the batting. Known for his consistency, Rizwan is expected to aim to set up a strong opening stand in the powerplay along with Babar Azam. Although he got dismissed early in the last match against USA, Rizwan has scored 3212 runs in 99 T20 matches at an average of 48.66 and a strike rate of 128.12. Keeping this in mind, Rizwan could prove to be effective against the Indian bowlers on Sunday.
Babar Azam(Captain)
Babar Azam is most likely to open with Rizwan. Babar showed signs of improving his campaign in the T20 World Cup by handling Pakistan’s poor innings with an innings of 44 runs against the USA.
In T20 Internationals, the Pak captain has scored 4067 runs in 120 matches, including 36 half-centuries and three centuries, while he has an average of 41.08 and a strike rate of 129.77. His form will be crucial in helping Pakistan post a competitive score against India’s strong bowling lineup.
Usman Khan
Usman Khan failed to capitalise on his start against USA in the last match. However, his aggressive batting has earned him a total of 100 runs in seven T20Is at a strike rate of 138.88. The explosive right-handed batsman will look to add crucial runs to his score in the upcoming match.
fakhar zaman
With his experience and big-match temperament, Fakhar Zaman could prove to be a key player in this high-stakes encounter. The aggressive batsman has scored 1826 runs in 89 T20I matches including 11 half-centuries. Zaman got out early against USA, but his strike rate of 133.57 in T20Is reflects his ability to take the game away from the opposition in the powerplay overs.
shadab khan
The inclusion of Shadab Khan will provide crucial support to Pakistan’s combination against India. With an economical bowling rate of 7.23, Shadab has proven his ability to man the strike effectively, taking 107 wickets in 101 T20Is. Apart from this, the all-rounder is also in good form with the bat, scoring 675 runs in 101 matches at a strike rate of 141.50.
Imad Wasim
All-rounder Imad Wasim is back in Pakistan’s playing XI for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Known for his lethal off-break balls in the powerplay, Imad has taken 70 wickets in 72 T20I matches. Equally impressive with the bat, the left-hander has scored 535 runs in 72 matches. His versatility could be the X-factor for Pakistan against India in this crucial encounter.
Imad, who could not play in the first match against America, may get a place in the starting eleven in the match against India on Sunday.
Iftikhar Ahmed
Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed loves batting against India. The flamboyant right-handed batsman has scored 81 runs in three encounters, including a memorable half-century against the Men in Blue. His exceptional ability to time the ball perfectly has helped him score 933 runs in 65 T20I matches. As Sunday approaches, Nassau County is expected to witness the thrill of Ifti-mania once again.
shaheen afridi
Shaheen Afridi is expected to lead Pakistan’s bowling attack. Known for his mastery over swing variations, Afridi is keen to replicate his T20 World Cup 2021 success with the ball.
With 91 wickets in T20 Internationals and an economy rate of 7.74, the Pakistani pacer’s presence will make him a vital force in this crucial encounter against India.
Haris Rauf
The inclusion of Haris Rauf in Pakistan’s T20I playing XI against India has given a major boost to their fast bowling attack. Known for his ability to bowl accurate bouncers and maintain precise length, Rauf has taken 96 wickets in 69 T20I matches at an average of 8.26.
His previous performances against India, where he has taken four wickets in four encounters, highlight his ability to dismantle their strong batting order.
naseem shah
Young fast bowler Naseem Shah has created a stir with his bowling in T20 cricket. With 20 wickets in 26 T20 matches and an economy rate of 7.86, Naseem has become a key player for Pakistan’s fast bowling team in no time.
The 21-year-old Shah is likely to break crucial partnerships. As a rising star in international cricket, Shah’s performance in this high-pressure match will be keenly watched by both fans and critics.
mohammad amir
Mohammad Amir’s return to Pakistan’s T20I playing XI adds a wealth of experience and skill to the bowling attack. With 65 wickets in 59 T20I matches, he has rocked the Indian batting order before, taking four wickets in two matches at an average of 7.25, an economy rate of 4.14 and best figures of 3/18. The left-arm bowler’s presence makes Pakistan’s bowling strategy much stronger for this high-stakes encounter.
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