After losing their first match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 to debutant USA in Dallas on June 6, the Pakistan cricket team suffered a major setback on Sunday ahead of their crucial match against arch-rivals India, as all-rounder Shadab Khan’s inclusion in the playing XI is now doubtful due to a reported injury.
Both teams are scheduled to face off today at Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York later in the evening. Reports indicate that Shadab Khan experienced back pain during a practice session, raising concerns about his fitness for the match against India.
In the match against USA, Shadab Khan was the second highest run producer after skipper Babar Azam. However, if Shadab Khan is ruled out of today’s match against India, Saim Ayub may step in to fill the vacuum.
Twenty-five years old Shadab Khan is the captain of Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and under his leadership they won the PSL 2024 for a record third time in the tournament’s history.
Pakistan and India are playing 19th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in New York today. The match will begin at 07:30 PM (Pakistan Standard Time). Since PAKvsIND match have been historically crowd pullers, the media have always created a lot of hype about these clashes. Now social media is also adding to this hype.
Sunday Game Day! 🏏
🏟️ Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
🆚 India 🇮🇳
⏰ 07:30 PM PKT#INDvPAK | #WeHaveWeWill | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/zxmiEI4LEn— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 9, 2024
As these matches attract a lot of ads from different businesses from across the world, some India social media outlets are reporting that TV channels are charging up to Rs4 million to run a 10 second ad during the PAKvsIND match.
Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared some pictures from the training session ahead of the Pakistan vs India match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
#INDvPAK | #WeHaveWeWill | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/tVXwRInYLe
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 9, 2024
This match is critical for Pakistan because it is very important for the Green Shirts to win this match after losing their first match of the tournament to USA on June 6. However, it remains to be seen which team plays better cricket and which side handles the pressure of this big game in a better way.
Shaheen Afridi responds to reports of rift in cricket team ahead of T20 World Cup
Azam Khan vs Imad Wasim
Pakistan have dropped their out-of-form batter Azam Khan and brought in Imad Wasim after he passed the fitness test on Saturday. Coach Gary Kirsten confirmed this at the pre-match press conference. Imad had missed the final game of the T20I series against England for “precautionary reasons” with a suspected rib injury. He also missed Pakistan’s first game at the T20 World Cup 2024 against USA.