India will face Pakistan in Match 19 of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday (June 9) at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

India registered a convincing victory in their first match of the tournament against Ireland, winning by 8 wickets. They currently hold the second position on the Group A points table. On the other hand, Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat against the United States of America (USA) in their tournament opener and are currently ranked fourth.

IND vs PAK: Head-to-Head Dynamics in T20 World Cup

The India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the most storied in cricket history. In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India have historically had the upper hand, winning five out of the seven encounters since 2007 while Pakistan have won for only 1 time. One match was tied and at that time Men in Blue won by bowl-out. The last match went in favour of India in the 2022 edition. However, each match between these two teams brings its own drama and excitement, making past records less relevant.

India’s form

India’s start to the tournament has been nothing short of impressive. Their victory over Ireland showcased their all-round strength, with the bowlers setting up the win by dismissing Ireland for a paltry 96 runs. The batting unit, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, chased down the target comfortably, ensuring an eight-wicket win.

India’s probable XI for the T20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan:

Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma (C)
Rishabh Pant (WK)
Suryakumar Yadav
Shivam Dube
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Axar Patel
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj
Arshdeep Singh

Key Players to Watch for India:

Rohit Sharma: The captain’s form at the top will be crucial. His aggressive batting can set the tone for India.
Jasprit Bumrah: Returning from injury, Bumrah’s exceptional spell against Ireland, where he picked up 2/6, will be key against Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Rishabh Pant: His quickfire 36 off 26 balls against Ireland shows his capability to turn the game around with his explosive batting.

Also READ: Team India’s record in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history

Pakistan’s struggles

Pakistan, in contrast, had a dismal start to their campaign, losing to the USA in a thrilling super over contest. This unexpected defeat has put them in a tough spot early in the tournament. Nevertheless, the Pakistan team is known for its unpredictability and resilience, and they will be eager to bounce back against their arch-rivals.

Pakistan’s probable XI for the T20 World Cup 2024 game against India:

Babar Azam (C)
Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Usman Khan
Fakhar Zaman
Iftikhar Ahmed
Shadab Khan
Imad Wasim
Shaheen Afridi
Haris Rauf
Naseem Shah
Mohammad Amir

Key players to watch for Pakistan:

Babar Azam: The captain’s form will be pivotal for Pakistan’s success. His ability to anchor the innings while scoring briskly is crucial.
Shaheen Afridi: The left-arm pacer’s ability to take early wickets can put India on the back foot right from the start.
Mohammad Rizwan: As a dependable opener, Rizwan’s performance will be essential in providing a solid start and stability to the innings.

Also READ: Pakistan’s record in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history

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