NEW DELHI: Harbhajan Singh, a former off-spinner and member of the victorious 2007 T20 World Cup squad is of the belief that the time approaching for India to face Pakistan in the forthcoming edition of this mega event is going to be a challenging one because they are hardly involved in international matches against each other.
Almost one month is left for the most awaited match between India and Pakistan, Group A at 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup. The match will be played on June 9th at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York which was built recently.
India has emerged victorious over Pakistan six times from their seven meetings at the T20 world cup. In October 2022, it was here that India had last clashed with their counterparts in an enthralling contest at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) which witnessed Kohli’s sensational unbeaten eighty two runs sealing a fantastic four wicket win for his side.
“Playing against Pakistan is always tricky as both nations do not play much against each other. We do not know a lot about where they are strong and weak but we have all the information about every player, where he scores freely or struggles.”
“Pakistan bowlers also train themselves mentally and physically. Indian team will look after these things. When both sides come out onto the field these things will come into play,” replied Harbhajan when queried upon his opinions regarding this by IANS during an episode of ‘Star Sports Press Room’ show.
Pakistan’s unpredictability combined with how the pitch behaves at New York City also presents a challenge for India. However, according to Harbhajan, knowing more about themselves as well as making on-field decisions based on prevailing conditions would be crucial rather than anything else.
“It is also up to what decision you take on that day itself. You must have noticed that whenever Virat Kohli plays cover drive so beautifully then still bowlers bowl in the same area to get an outside edge in the slip. You have to take these chances in keeping with the pitch conditions. It is not necessary that you should know a lot about your opponent, but how much are you aware of your game. That’s all what matters and everything else is basic,” he added.
The West Indies will host 2024 T20 World Cup at six venues and USA will stage it at three grounds. The hosts’ grounds for the Caribbean part include Kensington Oval in Barbados, Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, Providence Stadium in Guyana, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Darren Sammy Cricket Ground St Lucia and Arnos Vale Stadium, St Vincent.
In USA apart from New York City other venues are Broward County situated at Lauderhill Florida and Grand Prairie Stadium located at Dallas Texas. First round will see twenty teams divided into four groups of five teams each. Super eight stage will be followed by top two teams from each group as well as remaining four qualifiers.
Four groups of four each will be formed during the super eight stage. As they qualify for the super eight competition, teams finishing first or second among their respective first round groups would occupy these positions too in this particular phase provided theirs is fulfilled.
One group will comprise of A1, B2, C1 and D2 finishers while the other one will have A2, B1, C2 and D1. Two top sides in each group shall qualify for the semi final stage. Semifinals will be held on June 26th and 27th in Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago respectively whereas the finals are scheduled to take place in Barbados on June 29th.
