essay on t20 cricket match 2021 between pakistan and india

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

2 Days After Cricket Victory Over India, Pakistan Still Feels the High

The nation is experiencing a much-needed burst of joy after it unexpectedly beat India in a cricket match in Dubai.

By Salman Masood

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Ammar Barlas was prepared for disappointment. He is Pakistani, which — almost by default — makes him a cricket fan. And Pakistan was preparing to play India , its hated but heavily favored rival and a team it had not defeated in the sport’s World Cup tournament in nearly 30 years.

Still, a fan supports his team, and Mr. Barlas, 35, prepared a special dish of chicken and rice and invited his college buddies to watch the inevitable.

“The get-together of the friends was meant for the enjoyment of the game, but we were also mentally prepared for a loss,” Mr. Barlas said. He added, “We were feeling anxious but kept repeating the sentence, ‘First of all, you don’t have to panic,’” referencing a phrase popularized by Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan , who was once a cricket star.

Pakistan averted defeat. It unexpectedly beat India on Sunday night in Dubai, advancing to play New Zealand on Tuesday evening — it won that match, too — and giving the nation a much-needed boost that lingered even two days later.

With an ailing economy, bitter political discord among the ruling and opposition political parties, militants rearing their heads in some parts of the country, and turbulent relations with the United States and several European countries, Pakistan sorely needs a feel-good moment.

“In a country where cricket is almost a religion and good news — sporting or otherwise — has been hard to come by in the recent past, the victory was a much-needed reason to celebrate,” read an editorial in The Express Tribune on Tuesday.

The win united the nation, enveloping it with a sense of national pride. Cricket binds the country. It is perhaps the only legacy of British colonialism that is neither contentious nor despised. Instead, cricket stirs passions and transcends ethnic, linguistic and political divides.

The victory over India set off celebrations that carried on long into Sunday night. The whole country was transfixed on the live match, which was aired in restaurants and cafes. Streets and shopping centers were mostly deserted from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

After the win, people young and old poured out onto the streets, honking horns, setting off big rounds of firecrackers and breaking into Bhangra moves in several Punjabi cities and towns. Many even resorted to aerial firing (which is illegal, but no one seemed to care Sunday night). The green flag of Pakistan was raised with pride.

Immediately victory memes went viral on the country’s WhatsApp groups, and one video on Instagram of a newlywed couple was widely shared. In it, the groom stands up as soon as the wedding hall receives the news of Pakistan’s win and starts chanting, “Long live Pakistan!” He is quickly joined by other guests.

On his Twitter account, Mr. Khan, the prime minister, who was visiting Saudi Arabia over the weekend, posted a photograph of himself watching the match in a hotel suite, surrounded by cabinet ministers, with a message: “The nation is proud of you all.”

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the interior minister, said he had ordered the removal of police barricades and blockades on the roads in Islamabad, the capital, and some parts of Punjab so that the public could celebrate. The police had taken preventive measures last week to stop a protest of a religious party from marching toward Islamabad.

On Monday, the country’s newspapers carried stark headlines and pictures of the cricket team on their front pages. Pakistan “vanquished” India, one English daily declared. Jang, the country’s leading Urdu newspaper, described the win as “historic,” a sentiment echoed by other major Urdu newspapers.

Saba Usman, a teacher at a private school in Islamabad, said her fifth-grade students were overjoyed the next morning. “The children couldn’t stop talking about the game and kept praising Pakistani players,” she said. “Some of my students said they couldn’t sleep out of happiness.”

Pakistanis who are not fans of cricket also felt elated. “The win was an excuse to dance and enjoy with friends and family,” said Hamza Rao, a resident of Lahore. “Even those who are not into sports, like me, took vicarious pleasure.”

Mr. Rao said he phoned his sister and rushed to her house to celebrate the win. “We ordered cheat meals,” he said, “without any guilt.”

The celebrations, however, cost some fans dearly. The police in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, the picturesque Himalayan region that is claimed by both India and Pakistan, said students who celebrated Pakistan’s victory were being investigated under an antiterrorism law.

As Indian players played down the disappointment as something that happens in sport and images of the Indian captain graciously congratulating a victorious Pakistani team made the rounds as expressions of good sportsmanship, Indian fans took it differently.

Online abuse took a communal tone, with trolls channeling much of their anger at the only Muslim player on the team. Some of the abuse was so vicious that many veterans of Indian cricket had to come to the support of the player, Mohammad Shami.

For a majority of the fans of the Pakistani cricket team, the revelry has continued. Mr. Barlas, the cricket fan who watched the game with his college friends, had said a special prayer before the game. Afterward, he gave out sweets in the neighborhood.

On Tuesday he said, “My friends and I are still intoxicated by the win.”

Mujib Mashal contributed reporting.

• International
• Today’s Paper
• Premium Stories
• 🗳️ Elections 2024
• Express Shorts
• Maharashtra HSC Result
• Brand Solutions

IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup Highlights: Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets

India vs pakistan, t20 world cup 2021 highlights: fifties by babar azam and mohammad rizwan help pakistan register a 10-wicket win against india in a super 12 contest..

India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Pakistan brought to an end India’s near-three-decade domination of them in the world stage in the most convincing fashion, embarrassing their arch-rivals by 10 wickets in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup here on Sunday.

Skipper Babar Azam stroked his way to 68 while his opening partner, Mohammad Rizwan, smashed 79 as the Indian bowlers struggled to contain the two batters.

Earlier, Virat Kohli ’s half-century helped India recover from a disastrous start and post 151/7 against Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cup match on Sunday. Besides Kohli’s 49-ball 57, Rishabh Pant slammed 39 in 30 deliveries.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the toss and invited India to bat first but the early blows were landed by the men in green as openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul departed within three overs. Kohli and Pant then joined forces to add 53 runs in quick time before the latter was caught out by leg-spinner Shadab Khan (1/22 in four overs) off his own bowling in the 13th over.

Brief scores:

India:  151/7 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 57, Rishabh Pant 39; Shaheen Afridi 3/31) vs Pakistan.

Pakistan: 152/0 in 17.5 overs (Babar Azam 68 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 79 not out).

India (Playing XI): Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja , Bhuvneshwar Kumar , Mohammed Shami , Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

India vs Pakistan matches always tend to have a plethora of emotions attached to it. Be it the fans or the players, everyone knows what this gargantuan clash brings to the table. Here's an in-depth look at the plethora of emotions generated during the match

Emotional Rollercoaster: 10-wkt win without any drama for Pakistan led by Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup https://t.co/f8ftAgvtxi — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

Check out all the moments that transpired between India and Pakistan in tonight's blockbuster, here: ?  

#INDvPAK #PAKvIND #Pakistan captain Babar Azam led by example as his side beat #India in a World Cup match for the first time ever with a 10-wicket romp in a Super 12 blockbuster at the #T20WorldCup . PHOTOS: https://t.co/T8L56krJ4d pic.twitter.com/57nuVrqvHh — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

A perfect tribute to the fans by the captain! Well said Babar ?? #WeHaveWeWill https://t.co/eSuyYIWDx3 — Sami Ul Hasan (@Samiburney) October 24, 2021

Scenes across Pakistan. What happiness this country is experiencing right now. pic.twitter.com/oHjQHzlfoh — Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 24, 2021

Tough day for #TeamIndia at the office, but we will bounce back in our next game. #T20WorldCup #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/mYwYXVN6xc — BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2021

It was as if a switch had been flicked. Virat Kohli jaunted down the pitch and blasted Shaheen Shah Afridi over long-on in the fifth over. The shot was not unusual, but the situation was. India had lost both their openers in the most high-pressure game of the tournament, and one wouldn’t expect the captain to unfurl a stroke so fraught with risk. 

Read more: ?  

In the course of a career, great batsmen end up fiddling with different roles. But the primary nature, the instinct remains the same, which for Kohli is batting sensibly, finding solutions and answers #ViratKohli #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup ?? Sandip G https://t.co/rKTIxhLG3X — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

Pakistan brought to an end India’s near-three-decade domination of them in the world stage in the most convincing fashion, embarrassing their arch-rivals by 10 wickets in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup in Dubai on Sunday.

Reactions:  ?  

#INDvPAK #PAKvIND #Pakistan brought to an end #India 's near-three-decade domination of them in the world stage, embarrassing their arch-rivals by 10 wickets in the Super 12 stage of the #T20WorldCup . https://t.co/vIgpCtHnoX — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

  This was the team's effort, and the early wickets were very helpful. It gave us a lot of confidence and our spinners were very good as well. We applied our plans and got the results. We, the openers, kept it simple and built a partnership and because the wicket was getting better so we just wanted to keep batting till the end, which we did. It won't get easier just because we beat India. We will take the confidence, but we're taking it one match at a time, and there's a long way to go in the tournament. We prepared well, and just kept the history out of our mind. We needed quality practice, and warm-up matches, and even our domestic tournament and those games gave us a lot of confidence.

We didn't execute properly. Credit where it's due and Pakistan outplayed us today. They started brilliantly with the ball, and 3 wickets for 20 runs was not a good start. We needed wickets early but with the bat they gave us absolutely no chances. It played slow in the first half and hitting through the line was not that easy as it was in the second half, after 10 overs. We needed those 15-20 extra runs an for that we needed a good start but Pakistan's bowling didn't allow us to get those extra runs. We could make the argument of getting in another slower bowler, but it's important to stay composed and understand our strengths, because with the dew the slower bowlers couldn't be effective either. This is just the first game of the tournament, not the last.

It is the good wishes of my parents and all Pakistanis. Very happy with my performance. The plan was to bring the ball back in. I was just trying to swing it and I was just looking to give the team a breakthrough. That was what I practiced in the nets as well yesterday. Batting against the new ball was tough. The credit goes to Babar and Rizwan for the way they played. All teams are good in the tournament and we will look to carry this momentum through and go to the finals.

Aaaaaand WHACKKK!!! Shami goes for a 6 in the very first ball of the 18th over. This might not even last 20 overs. And double fours in the 3rd and 4th ball. India has never lost a T20 match by 10 wickets. History all around. And Pakistan have done it. They have beaten India for the first time in a World Cup match. Pakistan win by 10 wickets.

How do you celebrate your game-changing 50 in an India-Pakistan game? If you are Babar Azam you barely lift your bat and try to hide behind your batting partner. Unlike any of Pakistan's captains, Babar has a subtle and nuanced approach to his batting and also his captaincy. He is measured in his batting and also in his communication with the players. When Shaheen Shah Afridi was having a horror of a last over, he didn't throw up his arms or shout at him for the totally uncalled-for overthrow. Babar is from the Kane Williamson and Eoin Morgan school of leadership, he has a restrained aggression, such a rare gift. While his opening partner Rizwan would get frustrated on missing out the countless short balls that the Indian bowlers bowled, Babar would walk down and talk to his junior. On one occasion, he actually hit a ball over the fence as if to show Rizwan, how it was done. Considering how important the game has been for Pakistan, Babar gave a template to his team how they should approach these pressure situations.

Pakistan are slowly inching towards history as they are within touching distance of a maiden World Cup victory over India. After 17 overs they sit comfortably at 135/0. Pakistan need 17 off 18 now. Can someone bowl a 2-run over and inject some tension into this chase? Because this is getting academic at the moment. This is the fourth 100+ partnership between Babar & Rizwan in T20Is in 2021 - no other pair has scored more than two in a calendar year. Now, Shami to bowl the 18th over. Let's see.

Pakistan wicket keepers have been a thorn in the flesh of the opposition over the years... think Rasheed Latif, Moin Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed. Not the most classy, but clever batsmen who possessed a get out of jail shot to complement their pushes, nudges and sweeps. And they come as ready-made busy bodies. The latest avatar being Mohammad Rizwan, unorthodox with the bat. Rizwan was in the thick of things, taking two sharp diving catches and milking the leg-side as an opener in the chase and running like a hare when he chose to. When he didn't want to run, he was like a drill-master. His shrill 'no' is one of the loudest in the game. It was like he was admonishing his captain and opening partner Babar Azam. Pakistan's best batsman trusted his 'keeper's judgement just like he placed faith in him during a productive opening partnership.

Bumrah is back to bowl the 15th over as Jadeja ended the 14th over with 11 runs which included two boundaries. The Pakistan openers show no sign of slowing down.And Bumrah is meted with te same treatment. A four off the second ball. And a 50 for Rizwan as well. India are leaking runs at the moment. I am stuggling to remember the last over which didn't consist a boundary. 9 off the 15th over. Pakistan 121/0 after 15 overs.Babar Azam -- FIFTY | 40 balls | 4 fours | 2 sixesMohammad Rizwan -- FIFTY | 41 balls | 3 fours | 2 sixesThis is the highest partnership for Pakistan against India in T20IsThey are bossing this! It's getting over in a hurry .. https://t.co/PZfq9QouzQ #T20WorldCup #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/2DncKM6L8R— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 24, 2021

Varun has come to bowl the 13th over and it's turning out to be an unlucky one for India as he gets hit for two sixes. One from Rizwan who slog-swept that high over cow corner for six and one from Babar. And with that 6, Azam gets his 50. He hangs fully back and launches a drag-down over deep mid-wicket for a gigantic six. Expensive over. 16 off it. Pakistan 101/0 after 13 overs.

A brilliant knock from the Pakistan skipper ? #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | https://t.co/UqPKN2ouME pic.twitter.com/hEgG00dr03 — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 24, 2021

#INDvPAK is a mood People enjoy #T20WorldCup on a huge screen at Balewadi, Pune. ? by Ashish Kale pic.twitter.com/Oe8SgIUjUz — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

However hard this slam bang format tries to keep conventional strokes out of the game, Virat Kohli keeps them relevant. So there he was playing text book cricket deep in the T20 innings as the army of Indian fans wanted him to smash the ball out of the ground. In the 16th over Hassan Ali was keeping him in the crease by bowling short. Kohli showed that he wouldn't allow the bowler to curtail the run flow. Of his two boundaries, the second one would have had Test cricket followers drooling. Kohli leaned into the ball and placed it between extra cover and mid off. Both thought they had a chance to stop the ball but both were fooled, such was the perfect placement. The bat didn't flow down with force but it was just placed with such precision that the ball hit it in the middle as it was coming down. Kohli showed you didn't need to be a slogger to be relevant in T20 cricket.

On the world stage, India took the knee. After they were asked to bat after Pakistan won the toss, the Indian players did it to lend support to the Black Lives Matter movement. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul took the knee inside the playing area, while the other players did it outside the boundary rope, near the dug-out.

#INDvPAK #T20WorldCup Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul took the knee inside the playing area, while the other players did it outside the boundary rope, near the dug-out ?? @shamik100 https://t.co/kk41VbFCai — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

Babar Azam has really taken charge now. Bumrah gets hit for a 4 in the fourth ball of the 11th over. A wide half-volley, and Babar frees his arms to lift it over the leaping fielder at extra-cover, and to the left of mid-off. India need something special to dig them out of this pit. 9 off the over. 

“Shaheen, kabhi toh has ley tu!” (Laugh sometimes!)” Shaheeen Afridi’s coach Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai would often tell the pacer when he was about 14-15. On Sunday, Shaheen would almost let out a smile, as he stood feet wide apart and air kissed in his signature style after knocking out Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in the space of 10 balls. If not for Virat Kohli, it might well have been the end of India as that was a Thank you, come again, kind of special spell.

Read more: 

At 15, he told his coach he would play for Pakistan. At 21 he scalps Rohit, KL Rahul, Virat in #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup https://t.co/5Rxb9Ky1Z8 — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

And Azam has started the 10th over just like he ended the 9th. With a 4 this time. India need a wicket desperately and they need it quick. But that's probably not forthcoming soon.9 off the over. Pakistan 71/0 after 10 overs as we go for a drinks break.

? overs done. The Pakistan openers have timed the chase well, with the score at 71/0. #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | https://t.co/UqPKN2ouME pic.twitter.com/9P3q1w4Cer — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 24, 2021

And a 6 by Azam to Jadeja. Clubs it over deep midwicket! First boundary in four overs, and it's a maximum. This is dropped marginally short at middle stump and Babar swivels and hits with the intention of clearing the shorter side. And he does. Pakistan 66/0 after 9 overs.

Virat Kohli and Hassan Ali were locked in a duel for the majority of the Pakistani pacer's spell, with the Indian captain taking the bragging rights. Kohli — who scored four of his five boundaries off Ali  — was reading the bowler like a book. Understandably then, he chose to share some of the knowledge with partner Ravindra Jadeja. After crossing over for a single, Kohli turned towards Jadeja and rolled his fingers across an imaginary ball, gesturing for an incoming slower ball. The next delivery was perhaps a blip. Ali fired it in short and down the leg side, and Jadeja gleefully helped it over the short fine leg. Buoyed by the boundary, Jadeja forgot Kohli's lesson. Ali then bowled it full and slow, fooling Jadeja with the change of pace, who was early on the shot and holed out to deep midwicket.

Varun in to bowl the 8th over. Jadeja had a great 7th over with just 3 runs off it. What can Varun pull off here. 5 runs off the first 5 balls, including a wide. A couple of good overs by India. 50 up for pak though. 6 runs off this over as Pakistan are 52/0 after 8 overs.

50 up for Pakistan, need 100 more off 72 balls. #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/nf1ZTHRe0k — All About Cricket (@AllAboutCricke8) October 24, 2021

Emotions running high #INDvPAK screening at Sarabha Nagar Market in Ludhiana.E ? by Gurmeet Singh pic.twitter.com/azbLtLK9qX — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

Last over of the poweplay. Bhuvi to bowl. Not a great start as he bowls a wide ball to begin the over.Pakistan are steadily ticking away as they keep adding 2s and singles. Pakistan 43/0 after 6 overs. This is the 4th time Pakistan have survived the Powerplay without losing a wicket in their 15 T20Is 2021, they’ve gone on to win on the 3 previous occasions this has occurred

The chase is ON! ??? #INDvPAK #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/8WRFCifzT4 — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 24, 2021

Shami to bowl the 5th over and he is hit for a 4 in the third ball. Graceful as ever. Not a great ball though. Full and into leg stump. He leans in and offers the full face as he chips it wide of mid-on. And he follows it up with another boundary.  Shortish slower delivery on the stumps, again on the leg-side, Rizwan pulls behind square. After Varun's great over, Pakistan adjusts the score back to where they want it. 11 off the over. Pakistan 35/0 after 5 overs.

A steady start from the Pakistan openers ? After 5 overs, they are 35/0. #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | https://t.co/UqPKN2ouME pic.twitter.com/TppZ7tqFiY — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 24, 2021

A proper good over by India as Bumrah is introduced in the attack. Just 4 runs off it as he helps stem the run flow after the previous 2 overs both went for some boundaries. Pakistan 22/0 after 3 overs.

Babar and Rizwan walk out as India have a chat in the huddle. Bhuvneshwar will open the attack for India. Rizwan has hit one to the boundary and it looked like it was saved. Close call as Varun flicks it back in. His left hand is touching the boundary as he lets go a backhand flick with the right hand. Third umpire deems the ball hadn't left his hand quick enough. And he hits a maximum to follow. Pakistan off to a great start. 10 off the first over. Pakistan 10/0 after 1 over.

The #T20WorldCup fever grips Kolkata | #INDvPAK ? by @HEYPARTHA pic.twitter.com/B2mc9Es6f6 — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

150 comes up for India. Good comeback for India after a slow start. Pakistan were superb with the ball and on the field for most part, and they've done very well to restrict India to 151. India, for their part, have done well to get there, having been three down inside the powerplay. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant's knocks have helped India immensely to post a respectable total. Over to the bowlers now.

The last over begins. Haris Rauf to ball. And he has got Hardik Pandya. Big wicket again. He looks to hit it with a straight bat over the bowler's head, but he ends up skewing it over the off side, and deep cover runs in and takes it close to the 30-yard circle. India 146/6 after 146/7 after 19.3 overs

Absolute chaos in the last ball of the 19th over. The original ball was a no ball that got to the boundary. A good free-hit ball, bouncer slanting across and finishing around the right shoulder. Pandya misses the pull, and tries to run a quick single to retain the strike. Rizwan's underarm throw misses at his end, then the bowler picks the ball up and flings a wild throw past the stumps at his end, and it rushes away too quickly for long-on to stop to his right. India 146/6 after 19 overs

???? #INDvPAK #indiaVsPakistan #Pakistan #IndianCricketTeam #India #INDvPAK #WorldCupT20 #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/2fuB2L44wi — Tirthankar Das (@tirthaMirrorNow) October 24, 2021

All eyes on the screen Fans enjoy #INDvPAK Live screening in various parts of Pune ? by Pavan Khengre pic.twitter.com/qooujZY8zP — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

They say life imitates art. Though in these times of packaged sentiments, an instinctive reaction may imitate an emoji. And so it was when Hasan Ali bent his back to get that effortful bounce trying to tease (but not quite) an edge from Kohli as India tried to accelerate the scoring rate on the final straight. A halfway swing of the bat to steer it to third man would see Kohli not quite find the timing on that shot, and Mohammad Rizwan would collect the shooter. Rizwan would do the shrug shoulder with palms upturned, indicating he wasn't sure if the dangerous batter had nicked. Unlike the shoulder gesture that bookends statements that can mean 'who cares' to 'who knows', this was more of a 'well, nope'. An appeal had begun gaining decibel, but was stubbed by the keeper. Hasan Ali couldn't stop Kohli, but got Jadeja the next over.

#INDvPAK being watched on big LED screen at Sarabha Nagar Market in Ludhiana Express video by Gurmeet Singh pic.twitter.com/DrIqXOWyQA — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

Jadeja departs now. He is caught by (sub)Mohammad Nawaz. Was looking steady. India lose another important wicket. He's looking to hit over mid-on initially but he's early on the shot, reaching well in front of his body, and then tries to adjust by bringing his wrists into the shot. All that does is send the ball down the throat of deep midwicket. India 127/5 after 18 overs.

3* - Virat Kohli 1 - Yuvraj Singh 1 - Gautam Gambhir 1 - Robin Uthappa

Hasan Ali to Kohli, 2 runs, pacy short of length delivery, big gap at mid-wicket. Kohli is one of the swiftest runners these days, And he Jadeja with skates on too. That's a knock it around fifty from the Indian captain. Another one against Pakistan. He had to play this way because Shaheen's early wickets. 

Kohli is holding down India's fort as he hits two fours off this over. For the first one, Kohli turns his wrists over on top of the bounce and whips it to the left of the fielder. For the second one, he strides forward and just jabs that drive to the right of the diving extra-cover fielder. 10 off the over. India 110/4 after 16 overs.

1?0?0? up for #TeamIndia !? ? Captain @imVkohli going steady. ? ? #T20WorldCup #INDvPAK Follow the match ?? https://t.co/eNq46RHDCQ pic.twitter.com/xhmWQNJJWg — BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2021

Left-arm pace, fast, in-swing and just the right amount of it. In the 80s and 90s, one bowler with this ace up his sleeve was Wasim Akram and he often struck early blows in games between the arch-rivals. He was perhaps a touch slower than the lankier Shaheen Shah Afridi, who pierced out both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with the ball that came in. Rohit and Rahul would have expected Afridi to bend it back in, but at that pace and a length which cramped them, they could do little. The walk back to the pavilion seemed longer than usual for Rohit, even for those watching on TV. Usually he wears a slight smirk in such moments of despair. But today it was a plain ashen face. He had been flummoxed by the left-arm pacers' oldest magic trick.

Earlier this year Shahid Afridi confirmed the engagement of his eldest daughter to Shaheen Afridi by saying: "We are not relatives but Shaheen’s family was approaching us for the last two years with the proposal. I asked my daughter and we made the decision together. We Afridis have eight tribes, Shaheen and we belong to different tribes," he said. Later in a tweet, he would also say "my prayers are with Shaheen for his continued success on and off the field". Very early in the game against Pakistan, Shaheen did what his father-in-law would have dreamt - he got both the Indian openers to give his team a head-start. Not an overly aggressive pacer he didn't exchange words or show the dressing room door to the batsmen, he merely stuck to his trademark spread-eagle pose and gave double flying kisses. Though, Shaheen holds the honour of fashioning the most underplayed celebration in world cricket. Once during the Pakistan Super League, he got the wicket of Shahid Afridi and hid his face with his hands. Shaheen also got the '10' number shirt that the original Afridi wore. After he was given the honour, he tweeted: "This is more than a shirt number. It represents honesty, integrity and immense love for Pakistan. I am humbled and honored that I will be now representing Pakistan in shirt # 10 of Lala." Lala? Who calls his father-in-law Lala?  Well, an Afridi of course.

And a maximum from Pant. It's a one-handed swipe. Down he goes on his back knee, and off comes the bottom hand, and he extends his front arm fully and whips it over the square leg boundary And another one to follow, this one one-handed as well Pant uses the extra leverage he gets to meet the ball well in front of his body and lift it with a straight bat over the long-off boundary. Mid-off was in, and he just cleared the boundary. 15 off the over. India 81/3 after 12 overs.

With no Shardul Thakur, India only bat until 7 today. A couple of wickets around now will put Pakistan right on top. Haris Rauf comes into the attack. Over the wicket to Pant. India really haven't got that big explosive over. Pakistan have kept this very tidy. Just 6 off the 11th over. Indai 66/3 after 11 overs.

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan performs evening prayers on the pitch #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Gx6xuewOGn — Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) October 24, 2021

Pant has started this over just like he ended the 9th over. With a 4. 8 runs off the 10th over as India look to steady their innings. We are at the halfway mark of the innings as we go for a drinks break.

Rebuilding job ongoing from Virat! ? After 10 overs, ?? are 60/3. #OneFamily #T20WorldCup #INDvPAK @imVkohli @BCCI pic.twitter.com/KTM6fZwC5G — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 24, 2021

Hafeez comes in to bowl the 8th over. Rizwan is convinced he has Pant caught behind. Erasmus says no. Pakistan have reviewed immediately. It's ultimately not out. India 43/3 after 8 overs.

Kohli finishes off the last over of Powerplay with a 4 as Pakistan rocks India. India need to buck up. India 36/3 after 6 overs. This is brilliant bowling till now without doubt. A couple of good looking shots as well. But the pitch looks slow. Hitting through the off looks very difficult. This might turn into another low score thriller between these 2 teams.

Now, SKY is also gone as it's taken by Rizwan behind the wicket. Yadav's cameo ends as India keep losing wickets. India 31/3 after 5.4 overs.

And Kohli takes charge now. Hits a 6 off Afridi. After SKY hit a 4 and a 6 in the last ball of the last two overs, India has started to set a pace for themselves. India 30/2 after 5 overs.

@imVkohli Vintage ?? * #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/uiPFgznU1M — KalyanRaksha ? (@IamKalyanRaksha) October 24, 2021

ANOTHER. Afridi has taken another. An in form Raul departs. India off to a very rocky start. Lose their second wicket. India 6/2 after 2.1 overs.

Inject ??? #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/hpiykjQsd8 — Ramiya 2.0 (@yehtuhogaaa) October 24, 2021

Imad Wasim comes in to bowl the second over. Pakistan have really stifled India as they look to pile the pressure on. And the pressure is mounting. India 6/1 after two overs.

Shaheen Afridi, you beauty ? What a peach of a delivery as Rohit Sharma is gone for a ? #PakVsInd #PAKvIND #PakvsIndia #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/WWftUfPIMI — Awais khan (@awaiskhansatarr) October 24, 2021

Rahul finally off the mark in the third ball. And that's a wicket. Rohit Sharma is gone. Bang on the money. India lose first wicket. What a start for Pak. India 1/1 after 0.4 overs.

? #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | https://t.co/UqPKN2ouME pic.twitter.com/D6BaequJcL — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 24, 2021

Rahul and Rohit are at the crease. Rahul is on strike. Shaheen Afridi will open the attack

India  (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

Pakistan  (Playing XI): Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

Fans perform 'hawan' in Chandigarh for the victory of Indian Cricket team during #T20WorldCup match against Pakistan #INDvPAK ? by @ks_express16 pic.twitter.com/2igaOgzwhk — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

Prayers continue ?? Fans in Kolkata perform 'Yagna' for Indian cricket team's victory over Pakistan ahead of #T20WorldCup match #INDvPAK ? by @HEYPARTHA pic.twitter.com/HO7tUbZfPK — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 24, 2021

Coin goes up. Kohli calls tails but it lands on head. Pakistan win toss, opt to field first.

Babar Azam has won the toss and opted to field. ?? or ??, who are you backing? #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | https://t.co/UqPKN2ouME pic.twitter.com/ms1OlUnkSQ — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 24, 2021

Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal’s mind goes back to the early 1980s. Shyam Bhatia, an Indian expat in Dubai and a cricket patron, recollects Javed Miandad’s six against Chetan Sharma. For the old-timers, an India-Pakistan match in the United Arab Emirates will always be about nostalgia, irrespective of its venue-switch from Sharjah to Dubai.

As India and Pakistan play their T20 World Cup group league fixture here Sunday — the first time the two teams are playing in three years — the Sharjah throwback becomes relevant, for it was the starting point of the game’s most-followed cricket rivalry at a neutral venue. ( READ MORE )

• The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.

Get latest updates on IPL 2024 from IPL Points Table to Teams , Schedule , Most Runs and Most Wickets along with live score updates for all matches. Also get Sports news and more cricket updates .

• India vs Pakistan
• T20 world Cup
• T20 world cup 2021
• Elections 2024
• Political Pulse
• Entertainment
• Movie Review
• Newsletters
• Web Stories

• Change Font Size A A
• Change Language हिंदी | Hindi
• Focus on Story
• हिंदी | Hindi
• IPL Points Table
• IPL Schedule
• Table tennis
• Othersports
• Points table

India vs Pakistan Cricket Score T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Pakistan End Jinx With Emphatic 10-Wicket Win Over India

T20 world cup 2021 ind vs pak: babar azamand mohammad rizwan hit unbeaten half-centuriesas pakistan completed a resounding 10-wicket win over india in their t20 world cup campaign-opener in dubai..

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan hit unbeaten half-centuries as Pakistan completed a resounding 10-wicket win over India in their T20 World Cup campaign-opener in Dubai. Chasing a target of 152 runs, the Pakistan openers have looked comfortable as Indian bowlers continue to seek a breakthrough. Earlier, Virat Kohli scored his 29th half-century in T20Is before being dismissed for 57 by Shaheen Shah Afridi as India posted 151/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Afridi was on fire as he sent back openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, before Hasan Ali removed Suryakumar Yadav to give Pakistan a great start in the match. Kohli hit five boundaries and a six during his knock. Rishabh Pant also played a good hand as he hit a 30-ball 39, which included two fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Shadab Khan. Hardik Pandya failed to get going in the death overs but India managed to surpass the psychological 150-run mark. Kohli left out Ravichandran Ashwin, Rahul Chahar, Shardul Thakur and Ishan Kishan from the playing XI, with Varun Chakaravarthy making the line-up. Team India will hope to seal a win and get their campaign off to a good start against a top-notch Pakistan team, which has a number of match-winners in its line-up. Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bowl first.

India went in with the following playing XI:  KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Pakistan chose the following players in their final XI:  Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Asif Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi  ( SCORECARD )

T20 World Cup 2021, Live Cricket Score Between India vs Pakistan, Straight From Dubai International Stadium In Dubai

Pakistan record their first-ever win in ICC Men's T20 World Cup against India! #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/gsr5ooBcNe — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 24, 2021

• October 24 2021 22:58 (IST) Four ! Rizwan hits second successive four off Shami PAK 149/0 after 17.3 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:57 (IST) Four ! Rizwan hits another four towards the mid-wicket boundary PAK 145/0 after 17.2 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:56 (IST) Six ! Rizwan hits Shami for a huge six on the leg side behind the stumps PAK 141/0 after 17.1 overs - Need 11 more runs off 17 balls facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:48 (IST) Pak In Control ! Pakistan need 24 runs off 24 balls Bhuvneshwar into the attack now facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:41 (IST) 50 For Rizwan - Four ! Rizwan hits four off Bumrah's bowling to bring up his fifty PAK 116/0 after 14.2 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:36 (IST) Four ! Babar is milking the Indian bowling and finding gaps at will Hits another boundary off Jadeja behind the wickets PAK 112/0 after 14 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:34 (IST) Four ! Babar clears front foot and pulls Jadeja for a boundary on the leg side PAK 106/0 after 13.2 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:33 (IST) 100 Partnership ! Babar and Rizwan have added 100 runs for the first wicket in only 12.5 overs PAK 101/0 after 13 overs. - Need 51 more runs to win in 42 balls facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:31 (IST) Six - Babar Hits 50 ! Babar Azam reaches his fifty through an amazing six off Varun PAK 99/0 after 12.4 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:29 (IST) Six ! Rizwan hits Varun for a huge six on the leg side PAK 92/0 after 12.2 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:24 (IST) Pakistan Looking Solid ! Pakistan 80/0 after 11 overs Need 72 more runs to win in 54 balls facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:22 (IST) Four ! Babar plays Bumrah over the mid-off fielder for a classy T20 boundary PAK 77/0 after 10.2 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:18 (IST) Half-way Through The Innings ! Pakistan have reached 71/0 after 10 overs It's getting away from India slowly now Kohli needs bowlers to step up their game soon PAK need 81 more runs to win in 60 balls facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:14 (IST) Four ! Babar hits Varun for another four as Pakistan are dominating here PAK 67/0 after 9.2 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:11 (IST) Six ! Babar hits Jadeja's half-tracker for a huge six to release the pressure PAK 61/0 after 8.5 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:07 (IST) Pakistan Reach 50 Runs ! Pakistan have started brilliantly here against a strong Indian bowling line-up PAK 50/0 after 7.4 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:04 (IST) Jadeja Keeps It Tight ! Jadeja bowls a superb first over, concedes only three runs PAK 46/0 after 7 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 22:02 (IST) Powerplay Ends ! Rizwan and Babar have seen out the first six overs without taking many risks at a healthy run-rate Indian bowlers have to break this partnership to get a foot in the game PAK 43/0 after 6 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:54 (IST) Four ! Rizwan smashes Shami for a four on the leg side PAK 34/0 after 4.5 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:53 (IST) Four - Stand Up & Deliver ! Babar Azam takes the aerial root and dismisses Shami for a super four towards the mid-wicket region PAK 29/0 after 4.3 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:50 (IST) Brilliant Over By Varun ! Varun has bowled a brilliant over, conceding only 2 runs PAK 24/0 after 4 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:46 (IST) Good Start By PAK ! Jasprit Bumrah bowls a tight first over to give away only 4 runs Rizwan and Babar showing caution PAK 22/0 after 3 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:41 (IST) Four - Stand Up & Deliver ! Babar Azam shows class with a backfoot punch off Shami PAK 18/0 after 1.5 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:35 (IST) Six ! Rizwan hits a superb six on the leg side to showcase his intent PAK 10/0 after 0.3 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:34 (IST) Four ! Umpire signals four as Pakistan's Rizwan starts nicely with a four PAK 4/0 after 0.2 over facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:32 (IST) Pakistan Run-Chase Begins ! Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are in the middle Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts proceedings PAK 0/0 after 0.1 over facebook twitter Share Link

Target set Pakistan will chase 152 for a victory. Will they get over the line? #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | https://t.co/UqPKN2ouME pic.twitter.com/N4gqUjJLLk — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 24, 2021

• October 24 2021 21:17 (IST) Wicket ! Hardik disappoints as he departs off Rauf's bowling for 11 runs off 7 balls IND 146/7 after 19.3 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:14 (IST) Four Overthrows ! A good ball from Shaheen on a free hit but he foolishly throws towards the stumps and concedes a four through overthrows at the mid-off boundary IND 144/6 after 19 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:12 (IST) Four ! Hardik hits a boundary off Shaheen IND 139/6 after 18.5 overs And a free hit ! facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:11 (IST) Wicket ! Kohli departs on a slower bouncer off Shaheen for 57 runs IND 133/6 after 18.4 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:04 (IST) Wicket ! Jadeja departs as Hasan Ali bamboozles the batter with a slower ball IND 125/5 after 17.5 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:02 (IST) Four ! Jadeja into the act now, hits Ali behind the wickets for a boundary IND 125/4 after 17.4 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 21:01 (IST) Four ! Kohli hits a superb four off Hasan Ali IND 120/4 after 17.2 overs facebook twitter Share Link

The Indian skipper leading from the front on the big occasion #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | https://t.co/UqPKN2ouME pic.twitter.com/NllRDJMH9a — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 24, 2021

• October 24 2021 20:59 (IST) Rauf On Target ! Haris Rauf bowls a brilliant over, concedes only 4 runs IND 114/4 after 17 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 20:52 (IST) Four - Kohli Remains Key ! Second four of the over as Kohli drives beautifully for a boundary through the covers off Hasan Ali IND 108/4 after 15.4 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 20:51 (IST) Four - Kohli Remains Key ! Kohli steps out and pulls behind for a four off Hasan Ali Slower bouncer well picked up by Kohli IND 104/4 after 15.3 overs facebook twitter Share Link
• October 24 2021 20:48 (IST) India Reach 100 ! India have reached their 100 in 15 overs Kohli is looking good on 37 runs while Jadeja is on 6 not out facebook twitter Share Link

Advertisement

Cricket: India, Pakistan lock horns at T20 World Cup

On Sunday, the two sides will meet in Dubai to get their T20 World Cup campaign underway.

Pakistan and India launch their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign in Dubai on Sunday, the first time the two sides will lock horns since the 2019 World Cup league match in Manchester more than two years ago.

The rain-disturbed encounter at a packed Old Trafford ended in a routine win for India.

Keep reading

Cricket beyond boundaries external link this article will be opened in a new browser window, what you need to know about the t20 world cup 2021, infographic: cricket’s t20 world cup in numbers, revisited: memorable moments from cricket’s t20 world cups.

But on Sunday, a completely different environment – from gloomy Manchester to dry and sunny Dubai – awaits the two sides as they meet for the ninth time in T20 cricket.

Tickets for the game, as expected, were sold out within hours of going on sale.

Both sides have won the tournament once. India were the winners in 2007 when they beat Pakistan in the final.

Pakistan went one better in the 2009 tournament, beating Sri Lanka at Lord’s to win their first cricket World Cup since 1992.

Head-to-head

Pakistan have never beaten India at any cricket World Cup – the record stands at 7-0 in favour of India in the 50-over format, while it is 5-0 in the T20 form.

India, led by Virat Kohli, also have a superior T20 record against Pakistan, winning six of the seven matches.

Favourites?

Given the record, India start as favourites.

Indian players also have an extra advantage of playing in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) that was shifted to the United Arab Emirates due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, in the 10 years that Pakistan were unable to host international cricket, they played all their “home” matches in the UAE to great results, rising to number one in the Test rankings.

Pakistan have also won 21 of their 36 T20s in the UAE.

Recent T20 record

Pakistan come into the tournament after having their series against New Zealand and England cancelled.

The Kiwis pulled out of their tour of Pakistan minutes before the start of the opening match. Three days later, England scrapped their tour.

Prior to that, three of their four T20 in the West Indies were rained off.

India, meanwhile, have won five of their last 10 T20s and the IPL, India’s domestic T20 tournament, finished just days before the start of the T20 World Cup’s opening round.

India v Pakistan sporting contests are always fun to watch due to the intensity in the middle. They are even more enjoyable when viewed as a sporting contest, not a political battle. Try it. Works every time. #INDvPAK — Kuldip Lal (@diplal) October 23, 2021

What are the captains saying?

Virat Kohli : “We never discussed these things, about our record and past performance. These things create distractions. What matters is how we prepare and execute on that particular day, regardless of the opposition.

“Pakistan is a very strong team and always has been a strong side. You have to play your best cricket against them, because they have lots of talent and players who can change the game.”

Babar Azam : “Records are meant to be broken. To be honest, what has passed is beyond us. We want to use our ability and confidence on the day of the match so that we can get a better result.

“The matches between Pakistan and India are always full of intensity so we need to perform well in all three departments of the game.”

Non toxic fans from India and Pakistan A Thread #INDvPAK #IndvsPak #India #T20WorldCup #T20WorldCup2021 pic.twitter.com/Rljb7A58Dd — Games Underson (@Cloudy_popa) October 23, 2021

Education Is The Key To Success

• Grammar (Eng)
• Grammar ( Ur)
• Essays (Eng)
• Past Papers
• Guess Papers
• Short Stories
• Scholarship
• Online Courses

Sunday 13 March 2022

English essay- an exciting cricket match or recent t20 match between pakistan and india, an exciting cricket match or t20 match between pak vs india or recent t20 match between pakistan and india, 5 comments:.

JAZAKALLAH KHAIR

Awesome wow i mean superb playing yar what an awesome match is it i've ever seen

insallah next year pak won the worldcup

unhelpful 😞

Adamjee Coaching

Free Notes, MCQs, Online Test, Guess Papers and Past Papers for Class 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

• Guess Papers
• English Essays
• Past Year Papers
• General Knowledge
• Model Papers
• Date Sheets 2024
• Online Mcqs Test

8 August 2014

English essay - pakistan india cricket match, pakistan india cricket match, english essay on "pakistan india cricket match", 3 comments:.

very amazing note thanx sir to guide me thank you so much

Very very good essay it helped me a lot. Thanks once again

Too much good essays it helped us to very much

• English 9th (New Pattern)
• English 9th (Old Pattern)
• Chemistry 9th
• Mathematics 9th
• Physics 9th (New Pattern)
• Biology 9th (New Pattern)
• Biology 9th (Old Pattern)
• Computer 9th (New Pattern)
• Computer 9th (Old Pattern)
• Pak Studies (english) 9th
• Pak Studies (urdu) 9th
• Past Year Papers 9th
• Past Year Online MCQs 9th
• New Model Papers for 2021 Exam
• English 10th
• Computer 10th (New Pattern)
• Chemistry 10th (New Pattern)
• Islamiat 10th
• Mathematics 10th (New)
• Mathematics 10th (Old)
• Physics 10th
• Past Year Papers 10th
• Past Year Online MCQs 10th
• Mathematics 11th (New)
• English 11th
• Mathematics 11th
• Biology 11th
• Physics 11th
• Chemistry 11th
• Islamiat 11th
• Past Year Papers 11th
• Past Year Online MCQs 11th
• English 12th
• Biology 12th
• Physics 12th
• Chemistry 12th
• Mathematics 12th
• Past Year Papers 12th
• Past Year Online MCQs 12th

9th Class Guess paper Essays 2018

• Blessings of Science
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer
• My Aim in life
• A Memorable day of my life
• War Against Terrorism

10th Class Guess paper Essays 2018

• Load-shedding of CNG
• An Exciting Cricket match
• My Favourite personality
• Natural Disasters on Earth Quake
• Importance of Leisure time Activities
• Importance of Discipline in Life
• Role of Media in Every Day Life
• Traffic Hazards in Karachi

11th Class Guess Paper Essay 2018

• Terrorist Activities in Pakistan
• The Value of Discipline
• Power Breakdown
• Use and Abuses of Internet
• Unforgettable Incident of Your Life
• Importance of Media
• Muslim Unity

12th Class Gues paper Essays 2018

• The Role of Media
• Science a Curse or a Blessing
• Mobile Phone A Curse or Blessing
• Problems of Karachi City
• Rights of Women in Islam

• Sports News
• Cricket News

T20 World Cup: Babar Azam holds the key to success for unpredictable Pakistan

About the Author

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock. Read More

Visual Stories

Other Times Group News Sites

Popular categories, hot on the web, trending topics, living and entertainment, latest news.

Rajasthan Royals

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Match starts in 5 hrs 53 mins

Netherlands

Match starts in 53 mins

West Indies won by 28 runs

U.S.A. won by 6 runs

Match starts in 1 hr 53 mins

Warwickshire

Worcestershire

Nottinghamshire

Gloucestershire

Leicestershire

Northamptonshire

South East Stars

Match starts in 5 hrs 23 mins

Southern Vipers

Match yet to begin

ENG Women won by 37 runs

India vs Pakistan , 16th Match, Group 2 at Dubai , T20 World Cup , Oct 24 2021 - Full Scorecard

Pakistan won by 10 wickets (with 13 balls remaining)

• India innings
• Powerplay: Overs 0.1 - 6.0 (Mandatory - 36 runs, 3 wickets)
• Over 7.4: Review by Pakistan (Bowling), Umpire - M Erasmus, Batter - RR Pant (Struck down)
• India: 50 runs in 8.6 overs (54 balls), Extras 1
• 4th Wicket: 50 runs in 37 balls (V Kohli 12, RR Pant 37, Ex 1)
• India: 100 runs in 14.6 overs (90 balls), Extras 4
• V Kohli: 50 off 45 balls (4 x 4, 1 x 6)
• India: 150 runs in 19.5 overs (120 balls), Extras 11
• Innings Break: India - 151/7 in 20.0 overs (B Kumar 5, Mohammed Shami 0)
• Pakistan innings
• Powerplay: Overs 0.1 - 6.0 (Mandatory - 43 runs, 0 wicket)
• Pakistan: 50 runs in 7.4 overs (46 balls), Extras 2
• 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 46 balls (Mohammad Rizwan 29, Babar Azam 19, Ex 2)
• Drinks: Pakistan - 71/0 in 10.0 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 35, Babar Azam 34)
• Babar Azam: 50 off 40 balls (4 x 4, 2 x 6)
• Pakistan: 100 runs in 12.5 overs (77 balls), Extras 3
• 1st Wicket: 100 runs in 77 balls (Mohammad Rizwan 45, Babar Azam 52, Ex 3)
• Mohammad Rizwan: 50 off 41 balls (3 x 4, 2 x 6)
• Pakistan: 150 runs in 17.4 overs (106 balls), Extras 5
• 1st Wicket: 150 runs in 106 balls (Mohammad Rizwan 79, Babar Azam 66, Ex 5)

Over 18  •  PAK 152/0

Which players have appeared in the most World Cup finals?

And has any team made more than England's 170 to win a T20I by ten wickets?

ESPNcricinfo Awards 2021 T20I bowling winner: Shaheen Afridi knocks India flat

The Pakistan fast bowler earned his side their first win over their neighbours in World Cups

Calling it like Kohli: When India needed their captain to stand up, he stood tall

Shami was not abused for having an off day but for being a Muslim - this needed to be said, and it was important that his superstar captain said it

Kohli backs Shami after social media abuse: 'Attacking someone over religion is the most pathetic thing'

The fast bowler faced widespread abuse on social media following India's 10-wicket defeat to Pakistan

Rohit ball or Rahul ball: which Shaheen Afridi dismissal was better?

The answer is the one everyone, including the batter, knew was coming

Shaheen Shah Afridi - A win against India in a World Cup is 'special'

Icc men's t20 world cup.

• Lok Sabha Elections 2024
• Firstpost Defence Summit
• Entertainment
• Web Stories
• First Sports
• Fast and Factual
• Between The Lines
• Firstpost America

• First Cricket
• First Cricket News

T20 World Cup 2024, Group A: How India, Pakistan, Ireland, USA and Canada have fared in showpiece event

A comprehensive look at Group A in the T20 World Cup 2024 which includes heavyweights like India and Pakistan besides Ireland, USA and Canada. read more

The T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off on 1 June (2 June in India) in the Americas with a Group A match between co-host USA and Canada. Group A of the ICC event will also be in focus because cricketing giants and arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been placed in it. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match will take place on 9 June at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Besides India, Pakistan, USA and Canada, Ireland is the fifth member of Group A. The T20 World Cup 2024 will be the first to have a record 20 teams with each of the four groups having five teams.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, here’s a comprehensive look at Group A and its teams.

🚨India’s squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 announced 🚨 Let's get ready to cheer for #TeamIndia #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jIxsYeJkYW — BCCI (@BCCI) April 30, 2024

World Ranking: 1

Captain: Rohit Sharma

Coach: Rahul Dravid

Top scorer in T20Is: Virat Kohli (4037 runs)

Top wicket-taker in T20Is: Yuzvendra Chahal (96 wickets)

T20 World Cup history:

2007: Champion

2009: Super 8s

2010: Super 8s

2012: Super 8s

2014: Runners-up

2016: Semi-final

2021: Super 12s

2022: Semi-final

Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj. (Reserves – Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan).

vs Ireland on 5 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs Pakistan on 9 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs USA on 12 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs Canada on 15 June at 8 PM IST at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill

Glimpses of the team meeting with Pakistan white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten in Leeds 🎥 #ENGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/cjYWi6Qo9z — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 20, 2024

World Ranking: 7

Captain: Babar Azam

Coach: Gary Kirsten

Top scorer in T20Is: Babar Azam (3955 runs)

Top wicket-taker in T20Is: Shadab Khan (107 wickets)

2007: Runners-up

2009: Champion

2010: Semi-final

2012: Semi-final

2014: Super 10s

2016: Super 10s

2021: Semi-final

2022: Runners-up

Squad: Yet to be announced.

vs USA on 6 June at 9 PM IST at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas

vs India on 9 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs Canada on 11 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs Ireland on 16 June at 8 PM IST at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill

World Ranking: 11

Captain: Paul Stirling

Coach: Heinrich Malan

Top scorer in T20Is: Paul Stirling (3521 runs)

Top wicket-taker in T20Is: Mark Adair (114 wickets)

2007: Did not qualify

2010: Group stage

2012: Group stage

2014: Group stage

2016: Group stage

2021: Group stage

2022: Super 12s

Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock (wk), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben White and Craig Young.

vs India on 5 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs Canada on 7 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs USA on 14 June at 8 PM IST at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill

vs Pakistan on 15 June at 8 PM IST at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill

World Ranking: 19

Captain: Monank Patel

Coach: Stuart Law

Top scorer in T20Is: Steven Taylor (711 runs)

Top wicket-taker in T20Is: Nisarg Patel (27 wickets)

2009: Did not qualify

2010: Did not qualify

2012: Did not qualify

2014: Did not qualify

2016: Did not qualify

2021: Did not qualify

2022: Did not qualify

Squad: Monank Patel (c & wk), Aaron Jones (vc), Andries Gous, Corey Anderson, Ali Khan, Harmeet Singh, Jessy Singh, Milind Kumar, Nisarg Patel, Nitish Kumar, Noshtush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Steven Taylor and Shayan Jahangir.

vs Canada on 2 June at 6 AM IST at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas

vs Pakistan on 6 June at 9 PM IST at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas

vs India on 12 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs Ireland on 14 June at 8 PM IST at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill

The boys hit the field at the Rogers Centre, revealing their new @icc @t20worldcup jerseys. What an unforgettable night! The crowd was on fire! 🔥 How do you like that red and gold? 😍🇨🇦 Huge thanks to @bluejays ! 🙌 #tothecore #cricketcanada #wecancricket #t20worldcup pic.twitter.com/7C3YwSxh7n — Cricket Canada (@canadiancricket) May 15, 2024

World Ranking: 23

Captain: Saad Bin Zafar

Coach: Pubudu Dassanayake

Top scorer in T20Is: Navneet Dhaliwal (870 runs)

Top wicket-taker in T20Is: Saad Bin Zafar (43 wickets)

Squad: Saad Bin Zafar (c), Aaron Johnson, Dilon Heyliger, Dilpreet Bajwa, Harsh Thaker, Jeremy Gordon, Junaid Siddiqui, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Pargat Singh, Ravinderpal Singh, Rayyankhan Pathan, Shreyas Movva. (Reserves: Tajinder Singh, Aaditya Varadharajan, Ammar Khalid, Jatinder Matharu, Parveen Kumar).

vs USA on 2 June at 6 AM IST at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas

vs Ireland on 7 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs Pakistan on 11 June at 8 PM IST at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

vs India on 15 June at 8 PM IST at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill

Related Stories

'Not our day but good we have another crack': Pat Cummins after losing to KKR in IPL Qualifier

Watch: USA shock Bangladesh with T20 win in Houston

Vijay Mallya makes his prediction ahead of RR vs RCB IPL Eliminator

KKR were waiting to 'put up a show' after long break, says Venkatesh Iyer

'$20000 per seat': India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match sparks controversy over ticket prices; Lalit Modi slams ICC

N EW DELHI: The highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 will feature the electrifying rivalry between India and Pakistan, set to take place on June 9 in New York.

This Group A match promises to be a highlight of the tournament, rekindling memories of their last T20 World Cup encounter where Virat Kohli delivered one of the greatest innings in the format's history.

The upcoming tournament, co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies, is set to begin on June 1, culminating in the final on June 29. However, the build-up to the India-Pakistan match has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding ticket pricing.

READ ALSO: 'They wouldn't be threatening': Former England cricketer calls Team India for T20 World Cup 'predictable'

Ticket Pricing Controversy

Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has criticized the ICC for allegedly prioritizing profits over promoting the game in the USA. Modi claims that tickets for the marquee clash at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York are being sold for as much as $20,000 (Rs 16,65,138) per seat in the Diamond Club section.

"Shocked to learn that ICC is selling tickets for Diamond Club at $20000 per seat for the #indvspak WC game. The WC in the US is for game expansion & fan engagement, not a means to make profits on gate collections. $2750 for a ticket It’s just #notcricket #intlcouncilofcrooks,” Modi tweeted.

According to the ICC, ticket prices for the India-Pakistan match range from $300 (now sold out) to $10,000. A recent USA Today report further claimed that resale prices for these tickets have soared.

READ ALSO: T20 World Cup: India determined to end ICC trophy drought

India's World Cup Schedule

India will begin their World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland in New York before facing Pakistan at the same venue. Subsequent matches include a face-off against hosts USA and a final Group A match against Canada.

The anticipation for the India-Pakistan match is palpable, given the historic and emotional significance of their cricket rivalry.

For more news like this visit TOI . Get all the Latest News , City News , India News , Business News , and Sports News . For Entertainment News , TV News , and Lifestyle Tips visit Etimes

• Live on Sky
• Get Sky Sports
• Sky Mobile Apps
• Kick It Out
• Black Lives Matter
• British South Asians in Football

England vs Pakistan: First T20 international washed out due to persistent rain at Headingley

Read our fleeting updates as the first T20 international between England and Pakistan at Headingley was washed out due to rain.

• Transfer Centre LIVE! Burnley want £17m from Bayern for Kompany
• Papers: Bayern Munich eye shock move for Man City star Grealish
• Man Utd meet McKenna reps amid Chelsea interest in Ipswich boss
• Rooney in frame for Plymouth job
• 'YES, YOU BEAUTY!' | Littler hits NINE-DARTER in Premier League Final!
• Littler: PL win 'best night of my life' after proving doubters wrong
• Why Ipswich's McKenna is a manager in demand
• 'One of the greatest moments ever!' | Littler's nine-darter from all angles
• Paqueta charged by FA for alleged breaches of betting rules
• Watch the Lucas Paqueta bookings that led to FA charges
• Latest News

Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

How to watch Premier League, EFL play-offs, WSL, Scottish Premiership, F1 and more

• Stream with NOW

• Upgrade Now

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

US, Canada squads at the Twenty20 World Cup are a melting pot of nationalities

FILE - New Zealand’s Corey Anderson bats during a practice session ahead of their second one-day international cricket match against India in New Delhi, India, on Oct. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal, File)

FILE - U.S. batsman Monank Patel plays during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier match against West Indies at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, on June 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, File)

• Copy Link copied

The U.S. cricket team which will co-host the Twenty20 World Cup may be a fitting cross-section of its country as a roster of migrants, a melting pot of nationalities and cultures.

The 15-man squad includes players born in India, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa. Home-grown players include vice-captain Aaron Jones, who was born in Queens, and allrounder Steven Taylor, of Hialeah, Florida.

The team provides a snapshot of U.S. cricket at this formative stage, as Major League Cricket jostles for its place in a crowded sporting market. The squad includes foreign players drawn to America by the MLC and local players given the chance to play cricket at a professional level in the United States

The home team’s most recognized member is the former New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson. The 33-year-old Anderson played 13 tests, 49 one-day internationals and 31 T20 internationals for New Zealand between 2013 and 2018 in a career limited by injuries.

He earned a place in cricket history for his 36-ball century in a one-day international between New Zealand and the West Indies on New Year’s Day, 2014. Anderson also has played in T20 leagues in Australia, India, the Caribbean and United Arab Emirates before finding an MLC home at the San Francisco Unicorns.

Anderson made his first half-century for the U.S. in its T20 win over Canada last month.

Mumbai-born Harmeet Singh, who played for India at two Under-19 World Cups, was the star for the 19th-ranked U.S. team earlier this week in an upset win over Bangladesh. It the only the second win over a full ICC member for the U.S.

He scored 33 from the 13 deliveries he faced and shared an unbeaten, match-winning 62-run partnership with Anderson, who was unbeaten on 34.

“It means a lot to us to put on a show against Bangladesh. We are no walkovers,” Harmeet told ESPNcricinfo. “I think our potential is immense.”

The U.S. meets Canada in the tournament opener on June 1 and then there’ll be a step up for both teams in Group A, which also includes India and Pakistan, fierce cricket rivals with enormous support, and Ireland.

Among the other foreign-born players on the U.S. squad coached by ex-Australia batter Stuart Law is right-arm fast bowler Ali Khan, who moved with his parents from Pakistan to the United States when he was 18.

He first played for the U.S. team in 2016 and has also has played in the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Premier League, in Global T20 Canada and the Afghanistan Premier League.

Captain Monank Patel, a wicketkeeper-batsman, was born in India and settled in New Jersey after moving permanently to the U.S. in 2016. He played at a junior level for Gujarat in India and played the first of his 47 one-day internationals and 23 T20 internationals for the U.S. in 2019.

Andries Gous, another wicketkeeper-batsmen, was born in Welkom, South Africa, played for South Africa at under-19 level and played 60 first-class matches before relocating to the U.S. in 2021. He and Patel were the highest scorers for the U.S. in the recent five-match series against Canada.

Allrounder Milind Kumar is another India-born player who accumulated nine centuries in 60 first-class appearances for Delhi before making his home in the U.S.

The Canada team scheduled to meet the U.S. in the opening match is also a team drawn from many places and shaped by the evolution of a professional league at home.

Canada will be led by the veteran left-armer spinner Saad bin Zafar, who was born in Pakistan. He moved to Canada to study and was first named in the Canadian T20 team in 2008. Now 37, he has played 38 T20 internationals and once took two wickets without conceding a run in four overs in a T20 against Panama.

Jamaica-born batter Aaron Johnson, Pakistan-born left-arm fast bowler Kaleem Sana and Guyana-born right-arm quick Dillon Heyliger reflect the international makeup of the team which is coached by former Sri Lanka international Pubudu Dassanayake.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

• Pakistan Today
• Profit Magazine
• Paperazzi Magazine

Mango production plunge

Starving into stupidity, a promising start, but room for legal refinement, cementing ties in a broad spectrum, traffic comes to standstill in lahore as car drives in opposite…, fathers and sons, not talking to anyone, who was killed in fresno, israeli forces kill dozens of palestinians as they push deeper in…, president xi chairs symposium, urging further reform centering on chinese modernization, chinese premier li to attend china-japan-south korea trilateral summit meeting, china sharpens response as us sets date for tariff hikes, schengen visas fees to increase significantly from next month, pakistan t20 world cup squad to be announced tomorrow, after ponting, flower also not interested in coaching india, two key players to miss few pak vs eng t20is, pakistan football league set for launch next month, pak vs england t20 washed out as weather warnings issued in…, hasan ali released from t20 squad ahead of world cup.

Pakistan’s fast bowler Hasan Ali has been “released” from the Green Shirts’ squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 as the national side gears up to take on England in the first T20 match in Leeds today on Wednesday.

The team’s management has decided to allow Hasan to continue his commitments in county cricket where he will be playing for Warwickshire.

The development comes after the right-arm pacer was included in the squad as a backup for injured Haris Rauf.

Rauf, however, is now fully fit and set to take part in the four-match T20I series against England.

Hasan registered figures of 0/42 in his last T20I appearance for Pakistan, which came against Ireland on May 14.

He has bagged 60 wickets in 50 T20 innings for Pakistan at an economy rate of 8.45.

The development confirms that Pakistan’s squad will be reduced to 17 for the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, which begins on June 1.

Pakistan earlier named an 18-member squad for the T20I series against Ireland and England, which will be reduced to 15 for the World Cup. The squad will also include two travelling reserves.

Pakistan are set to name their squad for the World Cup in the next couple of days.

The deadline for squad announcement is May 24 and any changes after that will require approval from the International Cricket Council’s Event Technical Committee.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule

June 6 — Pakistan vs USA, Dallas

June 9 — Pakistan vs India, New York

June 11 — Pakistan vs Canada, New York

June 16 — Pakistan vs Ireland, Lauderhill

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

RELATED ARTICLES

Pak vs england t20 washed out as weather warnings issued in leeds, will sir viv richards serve as pak squad’s mentor during t20 world cup 2024, ecc likely to green-light $2.58m package for chinese workers killed in..., pti urges sc to allow khan to appear in person in nab amend case, ‘cypher case’: fia seeks ihc’s nod to present lu’s congressional testimony, israeli forces kill dozens of palestinians as they push deeper in gaza’s north and south.

• Privacy policy

Babar holds the key to success for unpredictable Pakistan at the Twenty20 World Cup

Pakistan's cricket team skipper Babar Azam speaks during a press conference regarding up coming Twenty20 series against Ireland, England and T20 World Cup, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 6, 2024. Credit: AP/K.M. Chaudary

ISLAMABAD — The return of tried and tested Babar Azam as captain for the Twenty20 World Cup belies the massive changes in Pakistan cricket over the last 18 months.

Since Babar’s team lost the T20 World Cup final to England in November 2022, the Pakistan Cricket Board has had four chairmen, the selection panel has been overhauled, and the experiment with Shaheen Shah Afridi as skipper was quickly aborted.

A new head coach for the limited-overs formats joined the squad in England just weeks ahead of the June 1-29 World Cup in the U.S. and Caribbean.

And to top it off, Pakistan will be the last team to confirm its 15-member World Cup squad as it continues to experiment with various combinations.

Babar is urging supporters to be patient, and there's a plan in place for success.

Get stories, photos and videos about your favorite New York teams in your inbox every morning.

By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy .

Babar stepped down from all-formats captaincy during the tenure of Zaka Ashraf as head of the PCB after Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals of the 50-over World Cup in India last year.

But he was reinstated as T20 captain by Mohsin Naqvi — the fourth PCB chairman in less than 14 months — ahead of home series against New Zealand in April after Afridi lost the series in New Zealand 4-1.

Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Tom Blundell during the fifth T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, April 27, 2024. Credit: AP/K.M. Chaudary

Allrounder Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir came out of international retirement in the hope that their experience of playing in the Caribbean Premier League will benefit Pakistan in the West Indies.

South African Gary Kirsten, who was appointed last month as head coach, will gain some first-hand knowledge of the Pakistan squad during a four-match series in England that both teams are using to rehearse for the World Cup.

All these off-the-field happenings have impacted Pakistan’s preparations for the tournament.

It badly lost the away series to New Zealand, scraped to a drawn 2-2 series at home against the Black Caps and lost a T20 series against Afghanistan 2-1. A shock loss to Ireland in Dublin preceded back-to-back wins and 2-1 series result.

And so unpredictable Pakistan enters another world tournament as a team to watch because of its rich history in the T20 World Cup. It has featured in three finals, winning the title in 2009, and also reached the semifinals three other times.

One of Kirsten's coaching tips has already resonated with the players.

“Gary told us, don’t play for the name on the back of your jersey but for the badge in front of your shirt," Afridi told a PCB podcast. "And that stayed with me.”

The depth in its pace bowling, with the likes of Afridi, fit-again Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Amir, can pose a threat to any team. But Pakistan’s top-order batting was still unsettled going into the series in England. Left-hander Saim Ayub is yet to fire in his role after selectors decided to separate the successful T20 opening pair of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan.

Babar has faced criticism for not pushing the scoring rate in the T20 power play, particularly while batting first. Pakistan has mostly aimed for totals in the 170-180 range while other teams have crossed 200 on regular basis.

Political tensions between Pakistan and India means there hasn't been a bilateral series for over a decade, but the ICC tournaments always attracts a huge TV audience when the archrivals meet.

Pakistan and India will play a group game on June 9 at a newly built 34,000-capacity Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York that will be the center of attention for South Asian communities.

Both teams are expected to advance to the Super 8 stage from a group that also contains tournament co-host U.S., Canada and Ireland.

Babar has twice gone close to lifting the trophy as captain, losing to eventual champion Australia in the 2021 semifinals and to England in the final in the Melbourne final the following year.

And for that, he'll get the distinction of becoming the first player to lead a country in three successive T20 World Cups and will be aiming for third time lucky if his Pakistan lineup can reach the June 29 decider in Barbados.

Most Popular

Top stories.

Unlimited Digital Access Only 25¢ for 5 months