Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday (June 9). The much-awaited match is scheduled to be held at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Both teams will meet for the first time this year. They last faced each other in the ODI World Cup last year. India and Pakistan have started their campaign in a contrasting manner. India got off to a winning start after a clinical performance against Ireland.
The Rohit Sharma-led team won the game by eight wickets after bowling out the Irish team for just 96 runs. On the other hand, Pakistan suffered a shock defeat at the hands of co-hosts United States on Thursday (June 6). Asked to bat first, Pakistan recovered from 26 for 3 and posted a competitive total of 159/7.
In response, USA started well with the bat and crossed the 100-run mark losing just one wicket. Pakistan’s bowlers then did well to pick up a couple of wickets and slow down the scoring pace. In the end, USA also finished with 159 runs and the game was finally decided by the Super Over. The United States scored 18 runs before limiting Pakistan to 13.
Mohammad Amir Reveals Virat Kohli’s Bat Story:
The onus fell on left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir to limit the United States to a low score in the Super Over. The left-arm pacer had done well in the game, conceding just 25 runs and also taking one wicket in his four overs. However, he failed to impress in the Super Over and eventually conceded 18 runs.
Amir will now look to make amends in the next match against India. And before the match, he spoke about the gift he had received from Virat Kohli in 2016. Amir had just returned to international cricket after serving a ban for spot-fixing and the Indian superstar had a touching gesture for him.
Before the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Eden Gardens, Kohli had gifted a bat to Amir. Recalling the incident, Amir revealed how he managed to get his hands on the prized possession. Speaking to Star Sports, the Pakistan star said:
“This bat story started in Bangladesh. When the Asia Cup matches were being played, Imad Wasim and I were walking in the gallery and Virat was coming from the other side.
“Imad was checking Virat’s bat. So I said, ‘Forget Imad, man, I want the bat’. Then Kohli said, ‘I promise you that when you come to India for the World Cup, I will give you the bat,'” he added.
Mohammad Amir talking about the bat that Virat Kohli promised him. 🐐pic.twitter.com/b0Cxn1QIgd
– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 7, 2024