Ahead of the India v Pakistan mega match in the T20 World Cup 2024, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has compared the blockbuster contest with the hugely popular 'Super Bowl' in the USA and reckons whichever team handles nerves better will come out on top.
India and Pakistan will clash on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
The last time the two teams met in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli delivered a memorable victory for India. Cricket's biggest game will be played on American soil for the first time, and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi will be watching from the stands.
"For those Americans discovering the tournament, they should know that Pakistan's game against India is like our Super Bowl. I used to absolutely love playing India and I really believe it is the biggest rivalry in sport. When I played in those games, I got a lot of love and respect from the Indian fans and it means so much to both sides,” Afridi, a T20 World Cup ambassador, told ICC.
"Against India, it is about handling the pressure of the occasion. There is so much talent in both teams, they just need to put it together on the day. That will be the case in that game and the tournament overall. The team that can hold its nerve will come out on top,” he added.
The USA and Caribbean are co-hosting the event, which will feature a Super 8 stage and knockouts. Afridi stated that it is difficult to choose a favorite in the shortest format.
"T20 cricket is so unpredictable, and teams can bat so deep now. You can have a batter coming in at No.8 and smashing the ball at a strike rate of 150 to win a game. I hope that will be Pakistan this time around, but it is hard to pick a favorite," said the former all-rounder.
Shahid Afridi also talked about the Pakistan team’s form coming into the T20 World Cup. They barely drew the T20I series at home against New Zealand, lost the T20I series in England, and also lost to Ireland in a match.
"Even though their form has been inconsistent in 2024, I believe they have all the ingredients to put it all together in the West Indies and USA. The conditions in the Caribbean will definitely suit them. There is so much talent on the side, particularly when you look at the bowling attack which should thrive over there. The fast bowlers are as good as any team in the world and there is so much depth as well. That class is much more important than recent form," he said.
He is also confident the American public will warm up to the sport of cricket.
"This is also a huge tournament for American cricket. I have always had a great time when playing in the USA and for those who have not experienced it, the conditions are similar to playing in the West Indies.
People are going to love the support in the States. There is a great expat community over there which absolutely loves cricket. The Americans absolutely love their sport, whether it is American football, basketball, or baseball. I really believe that cricket will hit the mainstream over there in the next few years, which is very exciting for up-and-coming cricketers," Afridi added.
(PTI inputs)
