Pakistan warmed up for their high-profile T20 World Cup clash against India with a 32-run victory over the United States on Tuesday. The win boosted team morale, leaving players confident ahead of Sunday’s showdown in Colombo.
Opener Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 73 runs against the USA and said, “The match is on and we are in a confident mood.” Pakistan had initially faced uncertainty over the India clash after the Islamabad government called off a boycott just 24 hours earlier.
The Group A win against the USA followed Pakistan’s earlier success against the Netherlands, giving the team a strong start in the tournament. Farhan emphasized that the wins had significantly lifted the team’s spirits. “Wins always give you confidence, and we will take this confidence into Sunday’s game,” he said.
Despite a historically poor record against India in ICC tournaments, Pakistan’s players remain upbeat. They have won only once in eight T20 World Cup meetings and have lost all eight 50-over World Cup encounters. Spinner Tariq Usman, who took 3 wickets for 27 runs against the USA, said past records would not affect the team. “We used to beat India in the 1990s and before, so don’t count only the recent results,” he said.
Farhan added, “This time it will be different, and we will give a strong performance.” He recalled that although Pakistan lost all three matches, including the Asia Cup final to India last year, the games were competitive. He said the team’s current momentum, combined with previous series wins, including a 3-0 sweep against Australia at home, has made the squad highly confident.
India will face Namibia on Thursday in New Delhi before flying to Sri Lanka for Sunday’s blockbuster clash. Analysts expect the match to be the biggest and most lucrative encounter in world cricket, drawing attention from fans worldwide.
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With Pakistan’s team morale high and players brimming with confidence, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await a thrilling contest between the two arch-rivals.
