In contrast to the last global event in Australia, the unpredictable Pakistan, runners-up in the previous T20 World Cup, now seem like a shell of their former selves.
Pakistan have had a difficult time both on and off the field going into the World Cup. Following a humiliating 1-4 loss in New Zealand, Shaheen Shah Afridi was removed from captaincy. It was followed by a humiliating home series draw against a struggling New Zealand.
Prior to being humiliated by England 0-2, Pakistan even lost a match against Bangladesh.
But even then a mercurial Pakistan start as favourites against the US and former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez highlighted the reason for that.
Hafeez shared a short video clip on X where he is speaking at a talk show in Pakistan flanked by former Pakistan captain Younis Khan and former New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill.
Asked by one of the two female anchors on Pakistan’s chances in their opening clash, Hafeez says, “I will only say for the Pakistan team, as a Pakistani, that this is the only place where we can beat the US (laughs).”
Both the anchors and Younis Khan also break into a laughter at Hafeez’s response.
Pakistan were also the semifinalists in the 2010, 2012, and 2021 editions. Pakistan captain Babar Azam was making a name for himself in age-group cricket as a 14-year-old when the Younis Khan-led side lifted the silverware at Lord’s in 2009.
After the match against the US, the Pakistan team will travel to New York for the big clash against archrivals India on Sunday.
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