These have been of the hardest 48 hours for the Pakistan team. Currently, everything seems to be at stake for them. Their World Cup chances, the team structure, maybe the management, and most importantly the reputation as a team – everything remains engulfed in the shadows of the thickest grey clouds. Funnily enough, it was nearly the same predicament for Babar Azam’s team in the previous T20 World Cup edition as well. They lost their first two fixtures against India and a low-ranked team in 2022, after which the team rose from their ashes to make it to the finals. However, this time Pakistan have even limited room to wriggle. With only two games remaining for men in green in this tournament, little remains in their control. Even with near-perfect results in the last two contests, Pakistan does not have a lot of chances to make it through to the Super 8s.
Canada are just placed above Pakistan in the table of Group A. Their win over Ireland last Friday has earned them two points which shine ever so right next to their name. With the team propelling on a surge of momentum after their win against Ireland and Pakistan positioned at its Nadir, Canada would not find the dreams of getting another win too distant.
Team Overview:
In their game against India, when the bowlers restricted the Indian team to only 119 runs, their batters failed to show up to the party. The middle order of the team collapsed like a house of cards. What makes it worse is that it was not a one-time thing, Pakistan’s middle-order batters have been crumbling like this for quite some time now. Things could not take the right turn for Pakistan even after they axed Azam Khan. During the last edition, the addition of Mohammad Haris to the team shifted the momentum greatly. However, Pakistan are without his services this tournament and boy is that hurting them. In conditions like that of New York, the team does not need a player in the middle-order who can strike at the north of 200, just a reliable batter who is able to play percentage cricket and finish the innings well for them. But then again, it might be too late for Pakistan anyway.
Canada can do a very funny thing. They can beat Pakistan, riding on their winning and Pakistan’s losing rhythm. But even with this dejected Pakistan team, it would be a mammoth undertaking. Generally, the Canadian team is deemed as a bowling-heaving unit with spinners and fast bowlers, both doing their jobs as they should. But against Ireland, even on New York’s pitch which is super tight-fisted when it comes to batters, it was their batters down the order who orchestrated the victory. The 75-off-63 balls partnership between Nicholas Kirton and Shreyas Movva when four wickets had already fallen within the first ten overs made Canada the first team to pass the 100-run mark at the New York Stadium.
Head-to-head Matches:
Pakistan has been victorious in the only game they have played against Canada in the shortest format of cricket. The last time both teams met in an International T20 game was back in 2008.
Weather and Pitch Report:
During the Pakistan-India clash, the pitch played relatively better than other games. A new strip is expected to be used for this collision as well. Although it will still favor bowlers hugely over the batters, any pitch that would offer even a little reprieve (not assistance) to batters would be considered better than the pitches seen during the start of the tournament at this venue. Again it will keep low with variable bounce and a slow outfield. The expected target could be around 120-130.
Weather is likely to remain clear in New York on Tuesday, so a game without interruptions can be expected.
Prediction:
It’s about time (or maybe past the time) that Pakistan scripted a win in this World Cup. This victory remains ever so crucial for Pakistan’s dangling hopes. Pakistan are at their most dangerous when forced against the wall, so Canada could see a good display of cricket from the men in green.
Where to Watch:
- India – Star Sports
- Pakistan – PTV Sports, Ten Sports, Myco (Live streaming) and Tamasha app (Live streaming)
- USA and Canada – Willow TV
- England – Sky Sports Network
- Caribbean – ESPN Caribbean
- New Zealand & Australia – Sky Sports NZ, Prime Video
- Other regions – SuperSport, Sirasa, CricLife, STARZPLAY
