Two years after the Americans stunned the former champions with a shocking defeat, USA leg-spinner Mohammad Mohsin stated that “the pressure will be on Pakistan” when the teams face off again in the T20 World Cup.
However, Pakistan pacer Salman Mirza stated that the 2024 T20 World Cup’s shocking super over loss in Dallas will be “in the past” when the two teams play in Colombo on Tuesday.
With Mohsin collecting a wicket in his first T20 World Cup encounter, the USA squad gave tournament favorites India a serious fright in their opening match in Mumbai, bringing them down to 77-6 at one stage before losing by 29 runs. They are sure they can pull off the same incredible upset in the Group A match two years ago.
“The pressure of losing the last game will be on Pakistan,” AFP quoted Mohsin as saying.
Mohsin, who immigrated to the United States five years ago, was born and raised playing cricket in Pakistan. He cautioned that the United States was a better squad now than it was two years ago.
“I have played with most of the players in this Pakistan team, so I have given my input to the team and we are a more skilled and confident team.”
“Winning and losing are part of the game, it happens in cricket. The defeat against the USA is now past and behind us,” Mirza said while asserting that the players from Pakistan would not be affected by the loss in the last tournament.
In their opening game against the Netherlands on Saturday, the 2009 champions, Pakistan, came dangerously close to suffering another upset. With 29 runs needed in the final two overs, Pakistan was on the verge of losing, but they were saved by the powerful hitting of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Two years ago, they lost to the USA and were unable to advance to the next stage. Mirza, who took 3-24 against the Netherlands, acknowledged that the weaker teams were formidable foes, saying, “Until now all the matches are close and no team is small or big in this format.”
Pakistan may replace Babar Azam, who has been criticized for his slow scoring, with seasoned batsman Fakhar Zaman.
