India will face Pakistan in the most anticipated group match of the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York.
Pakistan are reeling from a shock Super Over defeat to the United States in Dallas on Thursday and will be pressing to bounce back in one of sport’s fiercest rivalries.
Only two teams can qualify from Group A and India went into the tournament as one of the favourites despite not winning a major international tournament since the 2013 Champions Trophy, having kicked off their campaign with a resounding win over Ireland.
But serious questions have been raised about the pitch at the temporary stadium in Nassau County, with the ICC admitting it is not up to standard and “remedial measures” must be taken before major matches can be played.
Check out all the live action in the blog below:
Pakistan 42-1 (8 overs) – Rizwan 20; Usman 5 – Pakistan need 78 runs off 72 balls
To be honest, neither Rizwan nor Usman look all that good at the moment… Let’s throw Ravi Jadeja into the attack and see if the slow left-hander can provide a breakthrough.
The batsmen hit a few singles to keep the scoreboard moving, but keeping wickets is more important at this stage. Four came from the over.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 19:33
Pakistan 38-1 (7 overs) – Rizwan 18; Usman 3 – Pakistan need 82 runs off 78 balls.
Another superb over from Siraj saw Pakistan limit themselves to just three runs with an outside edge off Usman. Siraj had conceded just 10 runs in his three overs.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 19:30
Pakistan 35-1 (6 overs) – Rizwan 17; Usman 1 – Pakistan need 85 runs off 84 balls
Pakistan would probably be wise to get rid of Bumrah and attack India’s other bowlers, and Rizwan clearly agreed, dancing around the pitch and smacking Hardik Pandya. It’s six through mid off!
The next ball bounces off the pitch and hits him in the hand. The glove comes off and he’s shaking with discomfort. The physio sprays it with some magic spray and tapes it up. Nine runs for the over.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 19:24
Pakistan 26-1 (5 overs) – Rizwan 9, Usman 0 – Pakistan need 94 runs off 90 balls.
The crowd is cheering India hard and the atmosphere is electric. Usman Khan comes on at number three and is beaten twice by Bumrah with outside edges in the first two balls, but Bumrah is now on a roll.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 19:20
Wickets! Babar Azam c Yadav b Bumrah 13 (Pakistan 26-1, 4.4 overs – Target: 120)
A beautiful shot from Babar who goes up a length early and floats Bumrah over the leg side field. four It will be executed.
But the next breakthrough Wicket The next ball! Bumrah fishes out Babar outside the off stump, edges the ball to first slip and Yadav dives in to take a brilliant catch! A review confirms that he had put his finger under the ball and the Pakistan custodian is dismissed for 13 for 10.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 19:18
DROP! Pakistan 21-0 (4 overs) – Rizwan 9; Babar 9 – Pakistan need 99 runs from 96 balls.
Wow another Drop By India. Babar smashes the ball and Siraj throws it back. He puts his hands over his head and the ball hits him but it goes through. It’s harder than a Dube drop but it should have been caught.
Though they can only score two runs in this over, India will be hoping to break this opening partnership.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 19:13
DROP! Pakistan 19-0 (3 overs) – Rizwan 8; Babar 9 – Pakistan need 101 runs from 102 balls.
Jasprit Bumrah, who should have probably bowled the first over, is bowling the third. Perhaps the best bowler in the world across all three formats, can he deliver a magical delivery?
Rizwan gets two runs but Bumrah hits a length ball and attacks the crease. Shivam Dube drops a priceless catch! Rizwan flicked it off his feet and the ball went straight to Dube at fine leg, but he somehow managed to flick it away – an opportunity like this that India could not afford to miss if they were to defend their 120-run lead.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 19:08
Pakistan 15-0 (2 overs) – Rizwan 5; Babar 8 – Pakistan need 105 runs off 108 balls
Mohammed Siraj joined the attack and Babar Azam landed a punch straight on the ground. four! A brilliant performance from the Pakistan captain who has scored over 2,000 runs in this format.
After a single, Siraj responded with a beautiful shot that flew over Rizwan’s outside edge, eliciting cheers from the Indian fans in the stands.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 19:03
Pakistan 9-0 (1 over) – Rizwan 4; Babar 3 – Pakistan need 111 runs off 114 balls.
A brilliant stroke from Rizwan through the off side on the first ball got him three and Babar followed suit on the very next ball for the same result.
Rizwan then cuts the ball past his own stumps to score one – it was on the verge of being hit – and Arshdeep bowls it wide before wrapping it up.
However, they scored 10 in the first over, a rate that was more than enough for Pakistan and they didn’t hit any big hits.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 18:59
India vs Pakistan – Pakistan needs 120 to win
So let’s get started, both teams are on the retreat, can they beat this by a run per ball or will the Indian bowlers step up?
Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam will open for Pakistan, with Arshdeep Singh taking the batsman position.
Luke BakerJune 9, 2024 18:54