A former Pakistan international cricketer has stirred controversy with his claim that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has designed the groups for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 to ensure that arch-rivals India and Pakistan face each other more than once.
Basit Ali, who played for Pakistan in both ODIs and Tests, discussed the high-profile India-Pakistan clash on his YouTube channel. In his video, he suggested that the ICC has arranged the tournament schedule in such a way that India and Pakistan could potentially meet not only in the group stages but also in the semi-finals or final.
“The ICC wants India vs Pakistan to have two matches in the World Cup. They have made the schedule so that the two can meet again either in the semi-final or final. The venue we will get to know in due course,” said Basit Ali.
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Analyzing the current form of both teams, Basit Ali noted that the Indian team looks strong, coming off the back of the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). In contrast, he pointed out that Pakistan might be struggling with their form ahead of the T20 World Cup.
“Now, it all depends on performance. Pakistan is a bit low on their form, while India, on the other hand, has played IPL and looks in good shape. For Pakistan to perform well, Babar must open,” Basit Ali commented.
Pakistan recently played a four-match T20I series against England in England, where Babar Azam’s team suffered a 0-2 series defeat. The final game before the World Cup at Kennington Oval in London saw England outclass Pakistan again, winning by seven wickets with 27 balls to spare.
Criticism has been directed at Pakistan’s middle-order batting, as the star-studded opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan has struggled to carry on after good starts.
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India and Pakistan are set to clash in the Group A fixture on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Both teams are expected to advance past the group stage easily, given the weaker competition from the remaining group members, including Ireland, the USA, and Canada.
