The much-awaited clash between Pakistan and India in the T20 World Cup is scheduled for June 9 in New York, but there is speculation about who will play in the Greenshirts team.
Aakash Chopra, who played for India and is currently a cricket commentator, on Thursday predicted Pakistan's XI for the historic T20 World Cup tournament.
The 46-year-old said star Babar Azam would lead the team going one down before Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub started batting for the Greenshirts.
In bowling, commentator Chopra opted for four pacers due to the pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, which offers variable bounce.
Here is Aakash Chopra's Pakistan XI for the match against India:
Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah.
Pakistan will play their first match of the tournament against the United States in Dallas today. Meanwhile, India has already played one match and registered a win against Ireland on Wednesday in New York.
The much-awaited match between Pakistan and India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York could be marred by a “dangerous” pitch.
Two World Cup matches have been played on the pitch so far, but there have been clear signs, especially evident by the variable bounce, that the surface has not settled.
Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik said in Cricbuzz: “It's not the best of pitches. T20 cricket as a format is generally tilted in favor of batsmen. This one is tilted in favor of bowlers, but not for the right reasons.”
Karthik, who is also a commentator, added: “It is spongy and some of it bounces over the head. Then it also stays low. It doesn't allow for good viewing. This pitch has not settled. It was made in Adelaide, kept in Miami because the weather it's better there and then in New York two weeks ago, walk-in launches are new and have done well, especially in Australia. “
“It will be a point that people will talk about before the big game. [India vs Pakistan] in a few days.”
Meanwhile, renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle also echoed similar views.
He added: “It could become dangerous. Karthik was very polite when he said it is not the best. There was a ball that his [Ireland’s] NO. 10 or 11 faces. Her weight was forward and the ball went over her head. “Everything is dangerous at this level.”
