Pakistan has been witnessing a dream start to their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign. After ending the long-running losing streak against India with a diminatung win by 10 wickets, the Men in Green defeated New Zealand by five wickets. With the other teams in Group 2 being Namibia, Afghanistan, and Scotland, Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semi-finals are pretty much sealed.
This means India and New Zealand, the other two strong teams in the group, have to battle it out for second spot from group 2. Interestingly, these two teams will meet each other in their next assignment on Sunday and that encounter will hold massive significance. Neither India nor New Zealand can afford to lose as a loss with dampen their chances of qualifying to the semis.
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Speaking on the matter, West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara said Pakistan has almost fixed their place into the next stage and it would help India to join their neighbors in the knock-out stage. During a chat on Star Sports, Brian Lara said, “I have been a captain. Let me tell you something, the team that beats you in a tournament, you want them to go and win every single match. It sets you up properly. India now has to beat New Zealand.”
He further elaborated, “Of course, they have other games to play but Pakistan running away at the top is perfect for India to sort of look for that second spot.”
Former Indian gloves and, Parthiv Patel, who was a part of the same panel, agreed with Lara’s viewpoint. However, he opined India’s primary concern would be winning the other matches.
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Parthiv Patel added, “I think it definitely suits India more. But if I had been in the Indian dressing room, I wouldn’t have been worried about the other games. It’s quite simple. When you go into a World Cup, you focus on your things. I am sure this Indian team knows they have to win all their games. They wouldn’t have been worried about whether New Zealand won or Pakistan won as long as India wins everything.”
Meanwhile, Patel also made a bold prediction, saying fans will be getting a final brtween India and Pakistan. He said, “We are going to see an India-Pakistan final. These are the two best teams in the competition. It’s going to be those two teams in the final,” he added.
