Cricket

India and Pakistan, the arch-rivals of cricket, are set to clash for the 13th time in T20 cricket at the Twenty20 World Cup in New York on Sunday. The political tensions between the two nations have restricted their encounters to international tournaments, with their last meeting being at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne, where India emerged victorious.India holds a commanding 9-3 lead in the head-to-head T20 tally, but Pakistan has shown resilience in recent encounters. The upcoming match promises to be a high-stakes affair, filled with drama and intense competition. Here's a recap of five of their most memorable T20 clashes:2007 T20 World Cup Group Match:The inaugural T20 encounter between India and Pakistan in Durban ended in a dramatic tie, leading to a bowl-out. Pakistan restricted India to 141/9, and with scores level at the end of their reply, India skipper MS Dhoni employed non-specialists for the bowl-out. The gamble paid off as Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, and Harbhajan Singh all hit the stumps, while Pakistan's bowlers missed, giving India a thrilling victory.2007 T20 World Cup Final:In the inaugural T20 World Cup final, India and Pakistan faced off again in Johannesburg. Chasing 158, Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq kept hopes alive with a gritty performance. However, needing 13 runs in the final over against Joginder Sharma, Misbah's scoop shot landed in S Sreesanth's hands, giving India a thrilling five-run victory and their first T20 World Cup title.2021 T20 World Cup Group Match:In Dubai, India entered the 2021 T20 World Cup group match as favorites, but Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi had other plans. Shaheen's 3-31, including the dismissal of opener Rohit Sharma for a first-ball duck, disrupted India's top-order. Virat Kohli's 57 offered some resistance, but Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan (79) and Babar Azam (68) chased down the target with ease, securing a historic 10-wicket win, their first World Cup victory over India.2022 Asia Cup Super Four:In the 2022 Asia Cup Super Four clash in Dubai, Pakistan sought revenge after losing to India in the group stage. Virat Kohli's 60 helped India post 181/7, but disciplined bowling by Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan kept the total in check. Nawaz's quickfire 42 off 20 balls guided Pakistan to a thrilling five-wicket win with one ball to spare.2022 T20 World Cup Group Stage:Their most recent T20 encounter took place at the packed Melbourne Cricket Ground in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Pakistan posted 159/8 and had India struggling at 31/4. However, Virat Kohli's unbeaten 82 off 53 balls, including a crucial 113-run stand with Hardik Pandya, turned the game around. Needing 31 off the last 12 balls, Kohli's two sixes off Haris Rauf in the penultimate over set up a four-wicket victory for India on the final ball.As the cricketing giants prepare to face off in New York, fans can expect another chapter of high-octane drama and fierce competition in the storied rivalry between India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan's rivalry in cricket transcends the boundaries of sport, becoming a symbol of the political tensions between the two nations. The absence of bilateral series between them only intensifies the anticipation for their encounters during ICC tournaments. The upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 match between the two teams in New York promises to be another electrifying clash.The passion surrounding India-Pakistan matches is unparalleled, with fans from both countries celebrating it like a festival. Amidst the excitement, humorous punch lines and jokes emerge, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the intense rivalry. One such line that has gained popularity is "Tel lagao Dabur ka, wicket lo Babar ka," mocking Pakistan captain Babar Azam.Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has shared his thoughts on this playful banter. "From a player's perspective, we all work hard for our countries. These banters are part of the game and bring out the emotions from both sides. Lines like 'Tel lagao Dabur ka, wicket lo Babar ka' make the competition more interesting," Pant said.Beyond the lighthearted banter, Pant also revealed an incident of sledging between him and Virat Kohli during an IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. "I was banned without doing anything. I tried to prevent it, but it was uncontrollable. Sitting outside, I thought I'd disturb their mindset. I didn't give Kohli a chance to say anything because I escaped," Pant recalled.The India-Pakistan rivalry is not just about cricket; it's a reflection of the complex relationship between two neighboring nations. The matches between them are not merely sporting events but also a platform for expressing national pride and unity. The upcoming T20 World Cup clash in New York is sure to be another unforgettable chapter in this storied rivalry.

India vs Pakistan: A Clash of Titans with High StakesThe highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup is set to take place on Sunday, promising an electrifying encounter that will captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide.Pakistan's recent upset defeat against the United States has heightened the stakes for this match, as they now face a must-win situation to maintain their hopes of advancing to the Super 8s stage. India, on the other hand, secured a comfortable victory against Ireland, but concerns linger over the challenging batting conditions at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.Former India opener Wasim Jaffer emphasizes the importance of selecting the right combination for both teams. India's decision to open with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma against Ireland left Yashasvi Jaiswal on the sidelines, while Axar Patel was preferred over Kuldeep Yadav for his lower-order batting abilities.Jaffer believes India may stick with the same playing eleven against Pakistan, despite the possibility of Jaiswal opening. He highlights the need for Axar's batting skills, given the unpredictable nature of the pitch and the likelihood of increased fast bowling usage."You also want Kuldeep to play, but the kind of pitch it is, according to me, you will need Axar's batting because here you will see fast bowlers being used more," Jaffer said. "So Kuldeep won't have much effect. It will be the fast bowlers doing the damage."Jaffer anticipates that the pitch may improve slightly for the India-Pakistan encounter, but he predicts that fast bowlers will continue to dominate.

India and Pakistan, two cricketing giants, are set to clash in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup Group A match at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to prove their dominance.India, led by Rohit Sharma, enters the match with a strong performance against Ireland, securing an 8-wicket victory. Pakistan, captained by Babar Azam, suffered a disappointing loss against the US in a super-over finish. Despite Pakistan's recent setback, India cannot afford to underestimate their arch-rivals.However, the weather forecast for New York on Sunday casts a shadow over the match. Accuweather predicts a 51% chance of rain at 11 AM local time (8:30 PM IST), which is half an hour after the scheduled start of the match. If rain interrupts the proceedings, extra time will likely be allotted.Despite the weather concerns, fans remain hopeful for a full 20-overs-a-side match. India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has sustained a blow to his left thumb during a net session but has resumed practice after receiving medical attention.The pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium has been under scrutiny for its uneven and slow outfield. However, India began their campaign on a positive note, registering an 8-wicket win against Ireland on the same pitch.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has acknowledged the inconsistent pitch conditions and has assured that groundsmen are working diligently to improve the surfaces for the remaining matches.With the stage set for a blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan, the outcome remains uncertain. Both teams possess talented players and a deep-rooted rivalry, making this match a must-watch event for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

India-Pakistan Rivalry: Five Memorable T20 MatchesThe upcoming T20 World Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan marks the 13th encounter between the two nations in the shortest format of cricket. Despite political tensions, the two nuclear-armed countries only face each other in international tournaments. India holds a slight edge in their T20 head-to-head record with nine wins to Pakistan's three, but the last four matches have been evenly split.1. Wily Dhoni's Bowl-Out Triumph (2007)In the inaugural T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan's first encounter ended in a dramatic tie. After Pakistan restricted India to 141-9, India skipper MS Dhoni surprised the opposition by choosing non-specialists to bowl in the bowl-out. Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, and Harbhajan Singh all hit the stumps, while Pakistan's top bowlers missed, giving India a unique victory.2. Misbah's Misfire in the Final (2007)Ten days after their group stage encounter, India and Pakistan met again in the final. Pakistan needed 13 runs off the final over, but Misbah-ul-Haq's ill-advised scoop shot landed in the hands of S. Sreesanth, handing India a five-run victory and the World Cup title.3. Shaheen Afridi's Masterclass (2021)In the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi stunned India by dismissing Rohit Sharma for a first-ball duck and rattling the top order. Afridi's 3-31 helped Pakistan secure a 10-wicket victory, their first ever World Cup win against India.4. Nawaz's All-Round Heroics (2022)In the 2022 Asia Cup Super Four, Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz played a crucial role in their five-wicket victory over India. After restricting India to 181-7, Nawaz took 1-25 with his spin bowling and then hammered a 20-ball 42 to guide Pakistan to victory with one ball to spare.5. 'King Kohli' at the MCG (2022)In a thrilling encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pakistan posted 159-8. India struggled at 31-4 before Virat Kohli played a magnificent unbeaten 82 off 53 balls. Kohli's partnership with Hardik Pandya helped India chase down the target with four wickets and one ball to spare.

Pat Cummins Recalls Virat Kohli's Fanatical Fanbase in IndiaAustralian captain Pat Cummins has shared his experiences with Virat Kohli's passionate and aggressive fanbase in India. In a resurfaced video from 2020, Cummins spoke about the relentless attention he received from Indian media and fans after tweeting about Kohli.Cummins recalled an incident where he tweeted hoping Kohli wouldn't score a century. However, when Kohli scored a century against Australia six months later, Cummins' phone "blew up" with replies from Kohli's fans."Indian media... if you live on social media at all, you get absolutely hounded," Cummins joked. "Say anything about Virat Kohli, and look out for the next years."Cummins emphasized that he had intended his tweet as a compliment to Kohli, but it was misinterpreted by his fans."I thought it was a bit of a compliment, 'He's a great player, hope he doesn't score a hundred because he's a gun player,'" Cummins said.Despite the initial backlash, Cummins has had the last laugh in recent encounters with Kohli. In the 2023 World Cup Final, Cummins dismissed Kohli to disrupt India's innings. He also reached the IPL 2024 Final with Sunrisers Hyderabad.With India and Australia both considered favorites for the 2024 T20 World Cup, the possibility of more Kohli-Cummins encounters looms large.

India-Pakistan Rivalry Set to Reignite in T20 World CupThe highly anticipated India-Pakistan rivalry will once again take center stage in the ongoing T20 World Cup, with the two arch-rivals set to clash on June 9 in New York. The last two T20 World Cup encounters between the two sides have produced contrasting results, with Pakistan emerging victorious by 10 wickets in 2021 and India claiming a four-wicket triumph in 2022.While the India-Pakistan matches always generate immense excitement, former India batter Mohammed Kaif has downplayed the hype surrounding this particular encounter. According to Kaif, Pakistan's team is relatively weak this time around, with only a few match-winners standing out."Pakistan's batting is weak. Fakhar Zaman can be dangerous if he gets going, but other than that, their batters have a strike rate of around 120-125. We're not as concerned about their batting as we are about their bowling," Kaif said.However, Kaif warned India to be wary of Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah, who was a key performer for Pakistan in their previous T20 World Cup meeting."They have Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Naseem Shah is a very good bowler. In the Melbourne match that India won, Naseem Shah's first spell was impressive. He got a nick that was dropped at slip," Kaif added.India Squad:* Rohit Sharma (c)* Hardik Pandya (vc)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Virat Kohli* Suryakumar Yadav* Rishabh Pant (wk)* Sanju Samson (wk)* Shivam Dube* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Yuzvendra Chahal* Arshdeep Singh* Jasprit Bumrah* Mohd. SirajPakistan Squad:* Babar Azam (c)* Abrar Ahmed* Azam Khan* Fakhar Zaman* Haris Rauf* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Mohammad Abbas Afridi* Mohammad Amir* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Shadab Khan* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Usman Khan

India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash Sparks Massive Security Operation in New YorkThe highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the group stage of the T20 World Cup on Sunday has prompted an unprecedented security operation in Nassau County, New York. The temporary 34,000-seat stadium in East Meadow is expected to host thousands of passionate fans, leading officials to prepare for an event dubbed the "Super Bowl on steroids."The intense rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most captivating in sports, and the match is projected to attract millions of viewers worldwide. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman acknowledged the significance of the event, stating, "India vs Pakistan is like the Super Bowl on steroids. We had no idea how huge it was. We want to put our best foot forward."To ensure a safe and secure environment, an extraordinary security effort has been implemented. Law enforcement personnel from various levels are collaborating within the county, which is adjacent to New York City. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has also announced enhanced security measures for the World Cup, citing reported threats, including those specifically related to the India-Pakistan fixture.Blakeman expressed confidence in the security arrangements, stating, "I'm very confident that this is a safe environment - if it wasn't, then I wouldn't hold it."The high demand for tickets reflects the intense rivalry and passion surrounding the match. As of Monday afternoon, the least expensive ticket available on the resale website StubHub was priced at $790.The United States is co-hosting the T20 World Cup with the West Indies, with matches also taking place in Texas and Florida. This event is seen as an opportunity for cricket to gain a foothold in the American market and pave the way for its return to the Olympic program in 2028.

Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam, has acknowledged the immense pressure and hype surrounding the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash against India on Sunday. He emphasized the importance of remaining calm and adhering to the basics amidst the heightened expectations.India holds a dominant record in T20 World Cup encounters against Pakistan, having won six out of seven matches. However, Pakistan emerged victorious in the 2021 edition, defeating India by 10 wickets in the 'Super 12' stage.Babar acknowledged the unique atmosphere surrounding the India-Pakistan fixture, stating, "There is a different vibe altogether for this fixture, and there's a lot of excitement too not just among players but also among the fans." He advised his team to manage the pressure by focusing on the fundamentals.Reflecting on the 2022 edition, Babar expressed regret over missed opportunities, particularly the defeat against Zimbabwe. He stressed the need for consistent performance against all opponents, regardless of the outcome."Effort is in our hands, but results, we do not know," Babar said. "How we present ourselves on the ground, our body language and how we communicate with each other will matter. We must be positive, so results will come."Pakistan has been a formidable force in the T20 World Cup, reaching six semi-finals in eight editions. They were runners-up in 2007 and 2022, losing to England in the final of the most recent tournament.Babar highlighted the team's collective aspiration to win an ICC tournament. "Lifting the ICC trophy is a different motivation," he said. "You go to a different level and get a lot of praise. So, the motivation, aspiration and dream remains to lift an ICC trophy and present it to Pakistan."