INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi is excited that the American public will witness cricket&s equivalent of the Super Bowl in New York on Sunday,
June 9.Shahid Afridi, the ICC Men&s T20 World Cup 2024 ambassador, was thrilled at the prospect of an India-Pakistan showdown in New York
during this edition of the T20 World Cup.Comparing it to the famous Super Bowl, Afridi said that America&s cricket-loving crowd will witness
the ‘greatest cricketing rivalry& at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.&For those Americans discovering the tournament, they
should know that Pakistan&s game against India is like our Super Bowl,& Afridi wrote in his column for the 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.&Afridi believed that the big expat community from South
Asia will provide great love and support for the game, while also paving the way for its future growth.&People are going to love the support
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.&While he refused to pick any favourites from the India-Pakistan contest, he backed the Men in Green to overcome their recent
indifferent form and bring their A-game out during the tournament.&Pakistan have shown in recent ICC Men&s T20 World Cups that they are
capable of challenging anyone,& Afridi said
&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 former all-rounder referred to Pakistan&s successful runs in their most recent T20 World Cups as a significant marker of how the
side lifted their game at the crunch moments
He particularly backed Pakistan&s pace attack to shine in the USA and West Indies.&Over the last two ICC Men&s T20 World Cups, they have
made one final and one semi-final and there is no question of the talent in the squad
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.&Afridi believed the essence to Pakistan&s success
would be settling down on a fixed squad, backing the regular players to do well.&Class is much more important than recent form
We have seen time and again that the landscape of the game can change in the space of a few overs in T20 cricket.&Part of the reason the
results have been a bit up and down [for Pakistan] is that the selectors have been testing youngsters and giving them an opportunity to
showcase their talent.&It was important to settle on the best combination for the World Cup
Once they get there, I am expecting them to target the powerplay, keeping the strike rate high, before building up until the 14th over
From there, the finish will be the key.&Pakistan open their Men&s T20 World Cup campaign against co-hosts USA in Dallas on 6 June,
Thursday.Watch Live!Tune in on Thursday at 7.30pm for the pre-match show followed by the live match between Pakistan and the USA.The post
Shahid Afridi dubs India vs Pakistan as cricket&s Super Bowl first appeared on Ariana News.
