The long-awaited T20 World Cup face-off between India and Pakistan at New York’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium has been hit by rain, causing a delay in the toss and raising the possibility of a washout. Despite the adverse weather, which AccuWeather predicts has a 54% chance of rain before the start of the match, anticipation remains high for this blockbuster encounter. Pakistan, looking to recover from their loss to the USA, won the toss and elected to field first, a decision influenced by the pitch’s behavior and the weather conditions with captain Babar Azam eager to utilize the moisture and his four fast bowlers. India, on the other hand, retains the same winning XI from their previous game against Ireland, with captain Rohit Sharma prepared to tackle the match ball by ball despite his uncertainty about the pitch, which even the curator can’t predict. The rain intensifies the drama, as a no-result would split points between the teams, a situation that could significantly impact Pakistan’s chances in the tournament. The teams have a storied history of intense matches, with India traditionally holding the upper hand, winning 9 out of 12 T20 matches against Pakistan. Virat Kohli, a key player for India, is expected to play a pivotal role, while Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman aim to make a strong comeback. The match, once underway, promises to be an electrifying contest between two of the world’s top cricketing nations.
Key points
- Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first against India in a rain-delayed T20 World Cup match.
- The pitch at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is a concern due to its fast bowling and uneven bounce.
- Pakistan made a strategic change to their playing XI, replacing Azam Khan with Imad Wasim.
- There is no reserve day for the match, and a washout would result in the teams dividing points, which could affect Pakistan’s tournament chances.
