India and Pakistan will face off at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York and preparations have already begun for what is arguably the biggest match of the season.
With Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam leading their respective teams in the clash, fans and media have been eagerly waiting for this much-awaited match ever since the schedule was announced.
An India vs Pakistan match would always be one to go down in history and the infamous clash at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 only added fuel to the fire. A decisive win for India against Pakistan in 2022, followed by humiliation in the ODI World Cup in 2023, would boost the morale of the Pakistan team more than ever.
Read more: Lowest team scores in T20 World Cup history
The new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, the venue for the India vs Pakistan match, is using a drop-in pitch. The soil for the pitch was brought in from Adelaide Oval under the supervision of Australia’s groundskeeper Damien Hough.
Former Pakistan international Rashid Latif highlighted the difference in climate between Adelaide and New York and criticised the use of drop-in pitches.
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What did Rashid Latif say about the condition of the pitch for the India vs Pakistan match?
Rashid Latif, in an online interview with Pakistani media, shared his opinion on the use of drop-in pitches in the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup matches.
Latif discussed the differences and inefficiencies of the drop-in pitches shipped from Adelaide for use in New York, and also used the analogy of Indian and Pakistani pitches being used in the UAE.
Soil and sand from a particular area is specific to the weather conditions in that area – if you bring in sand from somewhere with a 12-hour time difference (compare Adelaide to New York), the climate is different, Rashid Latif said.
Australian soil and sand are only suitable for Australian fields and not anywhere else. The same would be true if Pakistani and Indian soil were to be transported to the UAE. On the inefficiencies of drop-in pitches, Rashid added: “They will not be as efficient.”
The opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County Stadium ended in a one-sided affair as South Africa humiliated Sri Lanka, conceding just 77 runs.
If that were to happen during the India-Pakistan match, Rashid Latif said the ICC board and members would face severe criticism from fans and viewers from both countries.
Sri Lanka vs South Africa would have sent fear into the ICC officials and the Board. If India vs Pakistan was as bad (by 80 runs) they would have to run to avoid the backlash. People don’t want to see Virat (Kohli) or Babar Azam dismissed so easily.
1- Drop-in pitch
2- Damien Hough, Curator of the Adelaide Oval
3- Weather #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/axAgsRfteC— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) June 4, 2024
Read more: Will the 2024 T20 World Cup be the toughest tournament for batsmen bowling on slow and low pitches?
When will India play Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup?
India are scheduled to take on Pakistan on Sunday, June 9. The two Asian powerhouses will clash in New York for pride over the other.
