India vs Pakistan: Shahid Afridi looking forward to cricket’s Super Bowl at T20 World Cup 2024

Shahid Afridi compared the marquee India vs Pakistan contest to the hugely popular ‘Super Bowl’ in the USA and believes whichever team handles nerves better will triumph in the T20 World Cup contest in New York on 9 June. The last time these two teams met, it was a classic headlined by Virat Kohli’s knock for the ages.

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India vs Pakistan will take place on the American shores for the first time as ICC looks to tap into a new market. Afridi will be watching on from the stands in New York.

“For those Americans discovering the tournament, they should know that Pakistan’s game against India is like our Super Bowl,” Afridi, who is the T20 World Cup ambassador, told ICC.

“I used to absolutely love playing India and I really believe it is the biggest rivalry in sport. When I played in those games, I got a lot of love and respect from the Indian fans and it means so much to both sides.

“Against India, it is about handling the pressure of the occasion. There is so much talent in both teams, they just need to put it together on the day. That will be the case in that game and in the tournament overall. The team that can hold its nerve will come out on top.”

The T20 World Cup is being co-hosted by West Indies and the USA with six and three venues respectively being used. Caribbean will host the Super 8 stage and knockouts thereafter. Asked to pick a favourite to lift the trophy, Afridi said it isn’t easy.

“T20 cricket is so unpredictable, and teams can bat so deep now. You can have a batter coming in at No.8 and smashing the ball at a strike rate of 150 to win a game. I hope that will be Pakistan this time around, but it is hard to pick a favourite,” said the former all-rounder.

Pakistan come into the T20 World Cup on the back of a T20I series loss against England with two games washed out completely. They also lost a match to Ireland in the prior series.

“Even though their form has been inconsistent in 2024, I believe they have all the ingredients to put it all together in the West Indies and USA.

“The conditions in the Caribbean will definitely suit them. There is so much talent in the side, particularly when you look at the bowling attack which should thrive over there.

“The fast bowlers are as good as any team in the world and there is so much depth as well. That class is much more important than recent form,” he said referring to the 2022 T20 World Cup finalists.

Afridi, popular for his big hitting at the top of the order for Pakistan, is confident of the game making its mark in the USA.

“This is also a huge tournament for American cricket. I have always had a great time when playing in the USA and for those who have not experienced it, the conditions are similar to playing in the West Indies.

“People are going to love the support in the States. There is a great expat community over there which absolutely loves cricket. And the Americans absolutely love their sport, whether it is American football, basketball or baseball.

“I really believe that cricket will hit the mainstream over there in the next few years, which is very exciting for up-and-coming cricketers,” Afridi added.