The stage is set for a mega clash in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup as the two arch-rivals in India and Pakistan go toe-to-toe against each other once again. This will be the eighth meeting between the two sides in the T20 World Cup. India currently have the upper hand with six wins and just a single loss to their name.
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The match is set to be played at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9. The venue has been under heavy criticism for the past few days because of the playing conditions and the overall quality of the pitch.
In today’s story, The Sporting News takes a look at the matches and the results that have taken place at the venue so far and what could either Rohit Sharma or Babar Azam choose after winning the toss to win the game.
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Nassau County Stadium - previous matches and results T20 World Cup 2024
The Nassau County Stadium has hosted four games in the tournament so far, with India vs Pakistan set to be the fifth one.
Match 1: South Africa vs Sri Lanka (SL won the toss and chose to bat)
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, the Lankan Lions were blown away by some fantastic fast bowling by Anrich Nortje, who picked up 4 wickets for just 7 runs in 4 overs. The Sri Lankan team were bundled out for just 77 runs, with the Proteas chasing down the target in 16 overs and with six wickets in hand.
Match 2: India vs Ireland (IND won the toss and bowled first)
In the following game between India and Ireland, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss in a confusing incident, and decided to bowl first. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh managed to rip through the Irish batting line-up, bundling them out for a mere 96 runs. In reply, the Indian batters managed a comfortable win by eight wickets with Rohit scoring a half century as well.
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It was after this game, that the pitch at the Nassau County Stadium was dragged under the fire from players and experienced coaches for its uneven and inconsistent bounce. Apart from the bounce, the outfield is very slow, causing great difficulty for the batters to score runs on a consistent basis.
The ICC also took the complaints into consideration and has worked relentlessly to improve the playing conditions of the pitch.
Match 3: Canada vs Ireland (IRE won the toss bowled first)
In the third game played at the venue , between Canada and Ireland, Ireland won the toss and chose to bowl first. The pitch seemed to be much better with consistent bounce and the batters were able to score runs. Although the Canadian could manage just 137 runs on the board, they were able to defend the total against the Irish, eventually winning the game by 12 runs.
Match 4: South Africa vs Netherlands (SA won the toss and bowled first)
In the most recent clash at the venue, South Africa played against the Netherlands. The Proteas chose to bowl first after winning the toss. They managed to restrict Netherlands to just 103/9 in 20 overs, with the wicket proving to be difficult to score on. The Proteas also struggled and were 12/4 at one point before recovering to just about scrape through.
In short, the stats are such at Nassau County stadium:
- Teams that have won batting first - 1 (Canada)
- Teams that have won chasing - 3 (South Africa (x2), India)
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What should Babar or Rohit do after winning the toss?
Looking at how the pitch has behaved in the three matches that have been played at the venue, it would be a wise decision for either of the captains to elect to bowl first if they end up winning the toss on Sunday.Both teams have a brilliant and fierce bowling attack.
Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammed Amir will be the likely pace attack for Pakistan, while Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj will be leading from the front for India alongside vice-captain Hardik Pandya.
READ: India vs Pakistan pitch report
Moreover, it is very difficult to set a score on this New York pitch. India vs Pakistan is likely to be held on the same strip that South Africa and Netherlands played. The pitch was tough to bat on with spongy bounce. Stroke play is not easy on this wicket.
Win the toss, bowl first seems to be the mantra to win here.
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