Shahid Afridi sees the India-Pakistan contest as an equal to the massively common ‘Tremendous Bowl’ within the USA and reckons whichever group handles nerves higher will come out on high within the T20 World Cup contest in New York on June 9.
The final time the 2 groups performed on the T20 World Cup, it turned out to be a recreation for the ages, with Virat Kohli pulling off a particular win for India.
Cricket’s largest recreation will happen on American shores for the primary time, and former Pakistan captain Afridi will keenly comply with it from the stands.
“For these People discovering the match, they need to know that Pakistan’s recreation towards India is like our Tremendous Bowl,” Afridi, who’s the T20 World Cup ambassador, advised ICC.
“I used to completely love enjoying India and I actually imagine it’s the largest rivalry in sport. After I performed in these video games, I obtained quite a lot of love and respect from the Indian followers and it means a lot to either side.
“Towards India, it’s about dealing with the strain of the event. There may be a lot expertise in each groups, they simply must put it collectively on the day. That would be the case in that recreation and within the match total. The group that may maintain its nerve will come out on high.”
The occasion is being co-hosted by the USA and Caribbean, the place the Tremendous 8 stage and knock-outs will probably be held. Afridi stated it’s laborious to select a favorite within the shortest format.
“T20 cricket is so unpredictable, and groups can bat so deep now. You’ll be able to have a batter coming in at No.8 and smashing the ball at a strike price of 150 to win a recreation. I hope that will probably be Pakistan this time round, however it’s laborious to select a favorite,” stated the previous all-rounder.
Pakistan has not had one of the best of construct ups for the match, having misplaced the collection in England. It misplaced a recreation to Eire within the previous rubber.
“Despite the fact that their kind has been inconsistent in 2024, I imagine they’ve all of the components to place all of it collectively within the West Indies and USA. The situations within the Caribbean will certainly swimsuit them. There may be a lot expertise within the facet, notably once you have a look at the bowling assault which ought to thrive over there.
“The quick bowlers are nearly as good as any group on the planet and there’s a lot depth as properly. That class is rather more essential than latest kind,” he stated referring to the 2022 T20 World Cup finalists.
The previous Pakistan captain can also be assured the American public will heat as much as the game.
“That is additionally an enormous match for American cricket. I’ve at all times had a good time when enjoying within the USA and for many who haven’t skilled it, the situations are much like enjoying within the West Indies.
“Individuals are going to like the assist within the States. There’s a nice expat neighborhood over there which completely loves cricket. And the People completely love their sport, whether or not it’s American soccer, basketball or baseball. I actually imagine that cricket will hit the mainstream over there within the subsequent few years, which could be very thrilling for up-and-coming cricketers,” Afridi stated.