The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 has begun in some style! Team India has announced itself to the land of United States, with a bowling masterclass at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Meanwhile, India's arch-rivals Pakistan, will play co-hosts USA in their inaugural encounter at the T20 World Cup. Pakistan and India - the Asian giants - are set to face each other at the weekend.
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However, there have been growing concerns, regarding the pitch and the behaviour of the surface at the Nassau County Stadium. In the two matches so far at the venue, the scores have not been appealing, at all.
Amidst the tension of lesser excitement out of the India-Pakistan clash, Pakistan veteran, Shoaib Malik has advised Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, ahead of India vs Pakistan clash at the low-scoring pitch in New York.
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What did Shoaib Malik advice to Virat Kohli and Babar Azam ahead of Sunday?
In a personalised segment, 'Cricket Clinic by Shoaib Malik' with media outlet Ten Sports, Malik spoke about the likes of Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, ahead of the anticipated India-Pakistan clash on Sunday.
The 42-year-old has suggested that the likes of Babar and Virat would do better than other batters, on a venue such as New York. It has been increasingly difficult for batters to score runs at the venue so far. Even Kohli was dismissed for one run against Ireland on Wednesday.
On a pitch like New York (with uneven bounce), it is very difficult to bat for any batsman. The best batters to bat on such pitches, are Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, and Kane Williamson, Shoaib Malik expressed on Ten Cricket, via a live demonstration.
Malik called Kohli, Babar, and Kane Williamson as conventional batters, with their style suited to the controversial drop-in pitch of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
I say so, because they play the conventional way. They see the ball till the end. (On a venue like New York,) the connection of the bat with the ball, should not be farther, but under your eyes, the 42-year-old explained.
You need to play the ball, as late as you can. You have higher chances of scoring better, that way, Malik concluded.
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How did former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur react to the New York pitch?
The former head coach of Pakistan, Mickey Arthur, has passed a worthy remark at the pitch in New York. India bowled Ireland out for a meagre 96, after a low-scoring first-match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the venue.
Arthur has called the surface at the Nassau County Stadium, as poor. The Protean coach was sacked off his role as Team Director, after the fiasco at the ODI World Cup 2023.
This pitch in New York is very poor!, Arthur tweeted during the India vs Ireland game on Wednesday.
This pitch in New York is very poor! #IREvsIND
— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) June 5, 2024
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