India and Pakistan will face each other at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The build-up to arguably the biggest match of the campaign, has already begun.
As Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam go toe-to-toe along with their troops, the fans and media have waited for the highly anticipated game, ever since the schedule was announced.
India vs Pakistan is always a game for the ages, and the infamous clash at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 has only added fuel to the fire. India's crunch victory over Pakistan in 2022, followed by the humbling at 2023 ODI World Cup, would have the Pakistan squad, motivated more than ever before.
MORE: Lowest team scores in T20 World Cup history
The venue for the India-Pakistan game, newly-constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, has seen drop-in pitches used .The soil for the pitch was transported from Adelaide Oval, overseen by the Australian's ground's curator Damien Hough.
Former Pakistan international Rashid Latif has slammed the usage of drop-in pitches, highlighting the weather differences from Adelaide and New York.
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What did Rashid Latif say about the pitch conditions for India vs Pakistan clash?
Speaking in an online interview for a media outlet in Pakistan, Rashid Latif has opined on the usage of drop-in pitches for the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clash.
Latif reasoned the dissimilarities and ineffectiveness of the drop-in pitch transported from Adelaide, for usage in New York. He also used the analogy of Indian and Pakistani pitches used in the UAE.
The soil and sand of any particular region, is peculiar to its weather conditions. When you bring in sand from a place with a time difference of 12 hours, (Adelaide comparisons to New York), the climate differs, Rashid Latif stated.
The Australian soil and sand, will only be fit for Australian venues, and no where else. When Pakistani and Indian soil are transported to the United Arab Emirates, that is the same analogy here. They won't suit as efficient, Rashid added on the ineffectiveness of drop-in pitches.
The first match at the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County Stadium ended up one-sides. South Africa humbled Sri Lanka, dismissing them for a meagre 77-run total.
Should that be the case in the India vs Pakistan game, the ICC board and members would face a tough time from fans and viewers of both nations, as per Rashid Latif.
The Sri Lanka vs South Africa match would have sent shivers down the spine of ICC officials and board. If India vs Pakistan game is as bad (80-run game), they would have to run for their lives, from the backlash. People do not want to see Virat (Kohli) or Babar Azam get dismissed for cheap.
1- Drop-In Pitches
— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) June 4, 2024
2- Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough
3- Weather #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/axAgsRfteC
MORE: Is the 2024 T20 World Cup toughest for batsmen with slow and low pitches?
When will India face Pakistan at the T20 World Cup 2024?
India are scheduled to face Pakistan on Sunday, June 09. The two Asian powerhouses will lock horns in New York City, to claim bragging rights over the other.
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