Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal declared India as the favourites to win against Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 match on June 9 in New York.
The match is scheduled at newly built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium which has the ability to host a crowd of 34,000 fans.
In a Q&A session with the fans on his Instagram handle, Akmal was asked by a fan to predict the winner of the high-voltage clash between the arch-rivals and Akmal answered “Definitely India”
Earlier, Akmal urged the Pakistan cricket team to come out of friendships and start thinking of the team after losing the second T20I against England which was played in Birmingham on Saturday.
Akmal opened up on Pakistan’s performance saying that they need to come out of the friendship mindset and start trusting other players who are waiting for chances on the bench. He also stated that Gary Kirsten should think about the team and drop players who are not performing.
"The difference between Pakistan and England is this, they came up with a brilliant plan, the way they defended the target with their bowling despite Pakistan having a deep batting lineup," Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
“Pakistan isn’t coming out of the circle, we are still thinking that Shadab has to play, so he plays. He has been playing for 2.5 years with this form and performance but this is Pakistan’s team, not of some region or club.
“Gary Kirsten has come, he should think about the form [of certain players]. Saim Ayub has been playing for 20 matches, look at his form, other players are also here to play, and they too have come with performances. You have taken 15 players with you so play them. Don’t think that the people of Pakistan will not say anything no matter what you do.”
It must be noted India and Pakistan have met seven times in T20 World Cups where India has won five matches while Pakistan has won only one. The remainder T20I resulted in a tie with India winning via bowl out.
The only T20I Pakistan has won against India in the T20 World Cup was back in 2021 when Babar Azam’s men played against Virat Kohli’s men.
The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to begin on Sunday, June 1 in the USA and the West Indies with the tournament opener scheduled to be played between USA and Canada in Dallas.
Pakistan will play their first match against the host-nation USA on June 6 in Texas.
India will play their first match of the tournament on June 5 against Ireland in New York.
