COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha will face a stern test when his side takes on the USA in their second T20 World Cup match on Tuesday.
Pakistan seek revenge for a shock 2024 World Cup loss to the Americans, who beat the Asian giants in a Super Over thriller. Pakistan also lost their opening match to India, exiting the 2024 tournament at the group stage.
On Saturday, Pakistan narrowly avoided another upset against the Netherlands. Faheem Ashraf’s penultimate-over heroics sealed the win with powerful hitting.
The USA challenged India in their opening fixture last week. Defending champions India were 77-6 before skipper Suryakumar Yadav rescued them with an unbeaten 84-run knock.
“Another exciting day of #T20WorldCup cricket,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) posted on X.
Other World Cup fixtures on Tuesday include New Zealand versus UAE and Namibia versus the Netherlands.
USA leg-spinner Mohammad Mohsin said Pakistan would feel the pressure from their previous loss. “The pressure of losing the last game will be on Pakistan,” he said. “I have played with most of the players in this Pakistan team, so I have given my input. We are a more skilled and confident team.”
The match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time.
After facing the USA, Pakistan will meet India on Feb. 15. The fixture follows the Pakistani government’s decision to end its boycott of the match against arch-rivals India.
The decision came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and was briefed on talks involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), ICC and other stakeholders.
Pakistan had initially pulled out of the Feb. 1 fixture against India after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland as a participant. Bangladesh cited security concerns and requested alternate venues, which the ICC rejected.
Also Read: T20 World Cup: Pakistan Decides to Play Against India After ICC Accepts Conditions
The Bangladesh Cricket Board thanked the PCB, ICC and others for helping “overcome recent challenges,” and praised Pakistani fans for their sportsmanship and solidarity.
India-Pakistan matches remain cricket’s most lucrative fixtures, generating substantial global broadcast and sponsorship revenue.
