Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal gave key advice to Pakistani batters ahead of their T20 World Cup 2024 match against India which is set to be played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York today.
Akmal, who won the 2009 T20 World Cup with Pakistan, urged the Green Shirts to bat according to the conditions as playing in New York will not be easy.
“The conditions in New York are different, so we have to play accordingly. If you are mentally strong, solid technique-wise, have the temperament and shot selection is cricketing, then you can score runs," Akmal said while talking on his YouTube channel.
"The Pakistan team will be dependent on Babar [Azam] heavily and he should step up too because in Pakistan’s team, there is only one player who can take the game [deep] by securing one end and forming a partnership.”
The former cricketer then stated that a target of 140 or 150 would be enough on New York but the thing that Pakistan need to keep in mind is that they have to bat for 20 overs. He also urged batters to step up and not only rely on one to two players.
“Don’t think that you need to score 170 or 180 here, just think that we have to play 20 overs here. If we manage to score 140 or 150, it will get easier for the Pakistan team to win the match. You will not be able to play those shots in the early overs that you tried to play against the USA," he added.
"The match is important because if we win this match, we will be able to qualify for Super Eight and if we lose, then this World Cup will lose its charm if Pakistan is no longer here.
“So, the players have to keep believing in themselves. The management needs to give a great game plan, bowlers will have to deliver with the ball. The middle-order needs to score runs, we cannot depend on one player. No doubt, Babar is the number one batter in the world, but if he gets out, the coming batter should take responsibility [to score runs].”
