India Set to Exploit Conditions Against Pakistan in Crucial T20 World Cup Showdown
New York: India enters their highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan with confidence, aiming to capitalize on Pakistan’s unfamiliarity and the challenging conditions at the newly constructed 34,000-seater Nassau County International Cricket Stadium at Eisenhower Park.
Pitch Concerns
As the focus intensifies on this marquee contest, the unpredictable nature of the 22-yard pitch has drawn significant criticism, acknowledged by the ICC. In three matches hosted at the stadium, teams have exceeded the 100-run mark only twice, prompting concerns about its suitability for showcasing cricket to the American audience.
The four drop-in pitches, laid under the supervision of Adelaide Oval groundsman Damian Hough in April, have yet to settle, leading to uneven bounce that raised safety worries after Indian captain Rohit Sharma was injured during the tournament opener against Ireland on June 5.
Following India’s match, the ICC issued a statement addressing concerns over pitch consistency at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s Challenge
Pakistan, still adjusting to conditions after their recent arrival in New York following a surprise defeat to USA, faces a critical test with limited time to adapt. A loss to India could jeopardize their qualification prospects, adding pressure on captain Babar Azam and the team to perform.
India’s Strategy
India’s strategy against Ireland included omitting left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in favor of an additional fast bowler, a tactic likely to persist for the upcoming match on an unused center turf. However, Kuldeep’s recent form and favorable matchups against Pakistani batters may prompt reconsideration by team management.
Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to open the batting, with Rishabh Pant slated at No. 3, ensuring stability in the batting order.
Security Measures
Amid heightened security following an ISIS threat, local authorities have implemented stringent measures to safeguard the India-Pakistan match. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder highlighted extensive security arrangements involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Squads
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.
Match Start: 8 PM IST.
