All eyes will be on Pakistan as they take on co-hosts USA in the opening Group A match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Thursday, June 6. Last year’s runners-up and 2009 champions, Pakistan will start the match as favourites but will know they cannot take the USA lightly.
T20 World Cup: Full Coverage | Full Schedule
Pakistan look strong on paper but their recent results have been disappointing. Babar Azam’s team Lost 2-0 to England in four-match T20I series The match was played in England last month. More importantly, rain in England curtailed the preparations for the marquee event. Pakistan also suffered shock defeats to Ireland in their first three matches last month, but Babar Azam’s team won 2-1.
Babar Azam has a point to prove having been restored to the captaincy after the Pakistan Cricket Board removed Shaheen Shah Afridi from the role after just one series earlier this year. Despite the usual whispers of trouble in the Pakistan camp, fast bowler Mohammed Amir boosted his team’s morale in the dressing room on the eve of the first match against the United States.
The USA go into the match hoping they have a chance to pull off the first major upset of the T20 World Cup 2024. Monak Patel’s team began their campaign with a sensational win over Canada, thanks to vice-captain Aaron Jones’ masterful 94 not out. The USA also beat Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-match T20I series at home last month.
USA vs Pakistan T20I match
Pakistan and the USA will face each other for the first time in T20 international cricket on Thursday.
USA vs Pakistan Team News – T20 World Cup 2024
Pakistan will be without veteran spinner Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan’s form has been a concern with Babar Azam’s spin attack looking a little weak ahead of the T20 World Cup, but Amir’s return will give Pakistan a quality pace attack. Pakistan are likely to feature all four of their frontline pace players – Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf – in their 11 for Thursday’s match.
All eyes will be on Azam Khan Young wicketkeeper-batsman gets trolled He faced personal attacks and criticism after the disappointing performance in England, but Pakistan are likely to field the gloveman in their opening match.
The United States, meanwhile, is unlikely to make any changes to its winning XI for the big game in Grande Prairie, with U.S. captain Monak Patel apparently recovering from a fever ahead of the encounter.
Projected USA members: Monak Patel (captain and week keeper), Steven Taylor, Andries Goos, Aaron Jones, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Nitish Kumar, Jasdeep Singh, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Shadlee van Schalkwyk.
Pakistan predicted team: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammed Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Usman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammed Amir and Naseem Shah.
Pakistan vs USA, Grand Prairie pitch and conditions
USA and Canada played a high-scoring, thrilling match in Dallas, with the hosts scoring 195 in the 18th over. However, the next match between Nepal and Netherlands was a low-scoring affair. Given that it was the first day game in Dallas, the pitch may not be as favourable for the batsmen, but it is far more favourable for the batsmen than the pacer-friendly pitch in New York.
Pakistan vs USA Predictions: Who will win?
Pakistan seems to be in disarray heading into the World Cup and that is when their team tends to be dangerous. Babar’s side will want to boost their confidence ahead of the big match against India on Sunday, June 9, so we can expect a fiery performance from Pakistan.
Pakistan has a good chance of winning the match but the USA should not be underestimated.
Pakistan vs. USA: What Did They Say?
“For us, it’s the same with us. We’re here to win and we want to win every game. And this is the World Cup, so there’s no room for mistakes. So we have to perform well in every game.” – Mohammed Amir speaks about the US threat.
“We are not really focusing on the Pakistan side. We want to focus on our cricket and continue to play the way we have been playing. And it is T20. If we can play well for 30-40 minutes on the field, who knows what will happen. We can win the match.” USA captain Monak Patel talks about the chances of beating Pakistan.
