Will India and Pakistan Produce Another T20WC Epic?
We know that we often cover footy and F1 in our sports news here, but there are other sports in the world, and the T20WC resumes this weekend. Oh boy, we have the greatest cricket match-up in existence for you to enjoy. India versus Pakistan isn’t just one of the fiercest rivalries in the world of cricket. It is one of the most contested coming together of two countries in the entire world of sport.
Having defeated Ireland by eight wickets, India is now taking on arch-rivals Pakistan, who are enduring a bit of a difficult spell themselves, having recently tied (then lost via the Super Over) to host nation, the USA. What’s in store when these two meet in New York on Sunday? Let’s explain it all.
Trouble Is in the Air for Pakistan
Ordinarily, Pakistan would have wiped the floor with the United States, which means that India and Pakistan should be going into this match with honours even, on two points apiece. However, Pakistan’s shock upset at the hands of the USA ensures that they are already two points behind India, going into the second of four group stage games at this year’s T20 World Cup, hosted by the West Indies and the US.
Given that only the top two teams qualify for the second stage, and Pakistan already find themselves two points behind the USA, they can ill afford defeat to India. Given that Pakistan have only ever managed to beat India once in every world cup and were defeated at the last event down under in 2022, their odds of success aren’t great.
India Just Needs to Keep It Cool
The last time these two sides met, Virat Kohli spanked Pakistan with 82 out of 53 deliveries in one of the greatest comebacks the sport has ever seen. The famous game at Melbourne’s Cricket Ground will long be remembered for Kohli pulling sixes off Haris Rauf, a strike over the bowler’s head, Hardik Pandya being dismissed, and then Mohammad Nawaz losing the plot.
With the game down at two needed from two remaining for India, there was a wide bowl, and with the scores level and just one delivery remaining, Ravichandran Ashwin bagged a single to a shocked crowd.
India has talent in spades, but do not expect a repeat of that famous game. Similarly, don’t expect Pakistan to triumph by ten wickets, as they did in the United Arab Emirates in 2010. We’ve got a feeling that with Pakistan focusing on achieving results against Ireland and Canada and India turning their eye towards the US, neither will want to be too rash with their delivery and batting. Given the nature of the tie, though, it will be impossible for either not to go for it, but they may tend to play conservatively.
If it doesn’t turn out to be the epic that we’d all like, remember this: the prize is a place in the Super 8, even if national success and bragging rights should come with the territory.
How Should I Bet on the T20WC Cricket This Weekend?
The big match takes place on Sunday, June 9th, with the game getting underway at 3:30 pm GMT. You’ll need to get a move on if you fancy having a bet. What can you expect, though?
These two sides are set to go head-to-head at the Nassau International Cricket Stadium on Long Island, New York. Neither side must travel far to play, with Pakistan and India’s matches taking place stateside. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue in the cool, spring US sun.
Form is an issue, and India is the clear favourite with most of our top-rated bookies to win. With six out of seven matches ending in victories for India, we don’t see any way Pakistan can overcome them. Of course, failure to beat India could just see them turfed out of the T20 World Cup at a very early stage, so there is something there for those of you who love a far-flung, long-odds bet. For us, it’ll be India all the way – we won’t win much with the odds we’re being given, but it’s looking like a sure thing, right?
