Ind vs Pak Cricket T20 World Cup 2024; Team Linings, Match Predictions and more

Pakistan looks to take India head on at the T20 World Cup at New York on the 9th of March. But India’s squad would be ready to foil the plans of the Babar Azam led side. And standing tall against the whole Pakistan bowling lineup would be Hitman and King Kohli.

India’s Predicted 11 and Key Players

India’s eleven for the match would definitely consist of the Chasemaster, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant among the top 4. Yasasvi Jaiswal is likely to open with Rohit while Kohli arrives at the crucial number 3 to soak the pressure in case one of the openers gets dismissed early. At number 4, any of the two can come, either SKY or Pant but it’s likely SKY would be preferred. Pant would be given the finishing role as he becomes dangerous in the last 15-20 overs powerplay. But considering his absence of over a year and a half from International Cricket, he may be promoted at 4. Seeing his performance against Bangladesh, where he was the sole player who scored a 50+ score, the team management shouldn’t be worried about his form.

Hardik also is a player who delivered in the match and the allrounder is back at what he does best, finishing matches in style. Remember his and Kohli’s partnership in the last T20 world cup where they steered the team to a victorious win against the same Pakistan Team?

The Pakistani bowlers especially Harris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afreedi would be dead scared as they know how these two can start the demolition against them.

While Ravindra Jadeja is expected to play a key role through his fielding and bowling, he would be useful lower down the order. Axar Patel is likely to miss the match with Kuldeep and Chahal coming in place of him. Bumrah and Siraj would be retained in the team to be leading the pace attack while Hardik can be seen in the middle overs too alongside the spin twins KulCha.

Pakistan’s likely Playing 11 and Key Players

While Pakistan’s team cannot be predicted at any point of time because of the volatility of the players and team management, the Babar Azam led side would likely have the following players in these places.

Fakhar Zaman and Babar are likely to open while Rizwan occupies the number 3 position. Its better for the team to promote Rizwan and Babar lead the batting as they are the best batters in the team with Rizwan having the firepower to lead the charge with Strike rate of more than 200. Fakhar is out of form but would still be picked for his experience. At number 4, Usman Khan / Saim Ayub may be given a shot although the newcomers are a bit young and this is their first world cup.

Ifthekar Ahmed and Shahdab Khan are likely to occupy 5 & 6 while Imad Wasim makes a comeback. It will be interesting where Imad gets his place as the left hand allrounder comes out of retirement and whether the newcomers get a shot in the blockbuster. Seeing Shahdab’s horrible performance, he can be also excluded but his experience would be required as he is the sole leg spin bowler in the team’s main playing eleven.

Pace attack would be led by Harris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and it would be interesting if Mohammed Amir is picked up in the playing eleven as he makes a return to the World cup side directly from his retirement.

Also Read | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: An overview of Team India Team, the players to watch out for, and much more

Why is Pakistan likely to struggle like ODI WC 2023?

Seeing Kohli, Rohit and Jaiswal leading the top order with the likes of Hardik, Surya Kumar Yadav and Pant down the order, the explosive batting line up is sure to derail Babar’s plans for a win just like the last time in ODI CWC 2023. PLus Bumrah’s Yorkers and Siraj would be fired up to do the Miyan magic with his out swingers and cross seam deliveries along with Kuldeep and Cahal spinning the web alongside Jadeja. 

Where to watch

Be ready to watch the blockbuster on 9th June from 8pm IST at Star Sports Network.

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