Imad Wasim
NEW YORK: In a significant development ahead of the much-anticipated Pakistan-India clash, national team head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed on Saturday that all-rounder Imad Wasim is fit and ready to play in the T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York.
This news comes as a major boost for Pakistan, as Imad has been sidelined since the T20I series against England last month. His return is timely and crucial for the team as they prepare to face their arch-rivals.
“Imad Wasim will be available for the match against India,” Kirsten confirmed in a press conference today. “We aim to make a strong comeback in tomorrow’s match.”
Kirsten emphasized the importance of moving forward and focusing on the upcoming game rather than dwelling on past performances.
“I don’t like to dwell on the past; we will forget the previous loss [against the US] and focus on the match [against India] and play excellent cricket,” Kirsten added.
He also highlighted the dynamic nature of T20 cricket, where situations can change rapidly, necessitating quick decision-making from the team.
Kirsten mentioned that the final playing XI had not yet been decided, as they were still assessing the fitness of a few players. “Things change quickly in T20s, we have to move the decision-making,” he said.
“Nobody gets an advantage if a team plays two or four more games here. We are looking at the fitness of a couple of players, so the playing XI has not been decided yet. The players know about [the game of] one another; we will have to play our best game according to the conditions.”
Pakistan’s recent performance has put them in a challenging position. They lost to the United States in their T20 World Cup opener after a thrilling Super Over.
Despite Mohammad Amir’s efforts, taking the ball in the Super Over, the USA managed to score 18-1. In reply, Pakistan could only score 13-1, resulting in a five-run defeat.
This unexpected loss has placed Pakistan at a critical juncture, making the upcoming game against India even more significant. A loss in New York would greatly jeopardize their chances of qualifying for the Super Eight.
Kirsten’s confirmation of Imad Wasim’s availability is a much-needed positive development for Pakistan as they gear up for this high-stakes encounter.
The team will need to leverage their strengths and adapt swiftly to the conditions to secure a victory and keep their T20 World Cup hopes alive.
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