Toss on mystery pitch crucial for battered Pakistan in World Cup clash against India

Pakistan’s hopes for a strong start to their T20 World Cup campaign hang in the balance as they face arch-rivals India on Sunday. This comes after a crushing defeat by tournament debutants, the United States, in a Super Over thriller.

Pakistan need turnaround after upset loss

Babar Azam‘s men haven’t had the best run-up to the World Cup. Following their T20 World Cup final loss to England in 2022, they’ve lost a string of T20 internationals and now after facing a shock loss to the USA in their WC opener, the Men in Green face the ignominy of potential early elimination if they lose to India.

Unpredictable pitch for India vs Pakistan

Adding to Pakistan’s woes is the unpredictable nature of the pitch at the New York venue. The drop-in surface has caused concern with its variable bounce, with former players like Andy Flower calling it “bordering on dangerous.”

This inconsistency could pose a major challenge for Pakistan’s struggling batsmen against India’s lethal pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

India looking more settled

In stark contrast, India appears to be a more settled unit.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli provide stability at the top of their batting order, and they’ve already had the opportunity to experience the New York conditions through a warm-up match and a convincing win against Ireland.

Variable bounce could favor India

The unpredictable pitch might actually benefit India. Captain Rohit Sharma hinted at potentially fielding four fast bowlers, similar to the strategy against Ireland, to exploit the uneven bounce.

This approach could prove troublesome for Pakistan’s middle-order which has been inconsistent so far, with the exception of Fakhar Zaman.

Toss holds the key for IND vs PAK

Winning the toss will be crucial for both sides. Pakistan will be desperate for a batting-friendly surface to revive their campaign, while India might look to capitalize on the early swing and seam with their pace attack if they win the toss.

This high-pressure encounter promises to be a thrilling battle, with the outcome heavily influenced by the toss and how each team adapts to the mystery pitch.