Former cricketers Misbah-ul-Haq and Irfan Pathan talked about the top contenders for the T20 World Cup 2024. The tournament will begin on 2nd June in the United States of America and the Caribbean and the final of the tournament is all set to be played on 30th June.
All the teams have reached the USA and the Caribbean and the preparations are in full flow. A total of 20 teams will be part of the event and it’s fair to say that it will be one of the most exciting events to watch because it will be the first time that this many teams will be taking part.
One of the biggest clashes of the tournament will be between India and Pakistan. The match will be played on 9th June at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York and all the eyes are already on that.
The predictions for the tournaments are also on as many fans and pundits have started naming their top four teams of the event as well as the winners. The latest to join the bandwagon is former Pakistan skipper Misbah-Ul-Haq.
Misbah-Ul-Haq believes that Australia will win the World Cup because they know how to win. Misbah-Ul-Haq named Pakistan as the second favorite, cheekily saying that if he has to stay in Pakistan, he needs to back them. Speaking on Star Sports, he added:
“The safest bet I think would be Australia. They know how to win. Whatever may be the condition. They come to Asia and win by playing with just one spinner.
“You can’t write of Australia from any World Cup. The second team is very difficult. Humein Pakistan mein rehna hai, toh Pakistan ko back karna hoga. India ka team badi strong hai, sara kuch hai.”
The good thing about the Indian team now is that they will get a chance to be in form before the Super 8 – Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan, who was also part of the discussion, pointed out that India will get a good game time to get into form before the Super 8 stage because they will be playing associate nations.
Irfan Pathan also talked about the key factors for India, saying that Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will be vital for the team and talked about the role that the duo will play. He added:
“The good thing about the Indian team now is that they will get a chance to be in form before the Super 8, as we will play teams who are not at the top level apart from Pakistan. This will give us the opportunity to perform and start feeling good. Once on the big stage, if you start feeling good, it’s a different ball game altogether. I hope this happens.
“Talking about the best finishing options for the Indian squad, I think Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will play different roles. Hardik will have a set role to finish the game, and Shivam Dube will play as a floater, at least in the playoffs, acting as an enforcer against the spinners. He will play that kind of role.”
India will play their first game of the World Cup against Ireland on 5th June. After that, they will take on Pakistan on June 9, USA on June 12, and Canada on June 15. The first three games will be played in New York and the last in Lauderhill, Florida.
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