(ANI Photo)
Brian Lara hopes to see the USA join India in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. Despite being third in Group A, Babar Azam’s Pakistan team revived their campaign by defeating Canada on Tuesday. They secured a convincing seven-wicket win, marking their first victory in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. While Pakistan still has a slim chance of advancing to the Super 8 alongside India, legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara has predicted an early exit for the Green Army from Group A.
The former world champions suffered a shocking defeat against the United States of America (USA) in their T20 World Cup opening match in Dallas. After a humiliating loss in the Super-Over to the USA, Babar’s Pakistan team faced another setback against Rohit Sharma’s Team India in a highly anticipated clash between the traditional rivals. As a result, Pakistan currently sits in third place in the Group A standings, trailing behind the USA and the leading team, India, in the tournament.
Brain Lara My money is on the USA
Speaking to Star Sports amid the group stage of the ICC event in the United States and the West Indies, batting legend Lara admitted that Pakistan have a chance to enter the business end of the competition. However, Lara is backing the USA to join India in the Super 8 from Group A. “Of course mathematically they (Pakistan) have a chance. I think the USA just got to take care of a win in their last game, they do that and they qualify. But we’re hoping that they get to win plus the USA lose their game. So my money is on the USA, I think they’re full of confidence and they would want to make it to the Super 8 that will be so huge, historic for US cricket,” Lara said.
Pakistan’s Path to Super 8 in T20 World Cup
In a crucial match against the USA, Rohit and his team secured a resounding seven-wicket victory in their Group A encounter in New York. Pakistan currently holds the advantage over the USA in net run rate, despite facing two losses and securing one win. To maintain this lead, Pakistan must defeat Ireland. If Ireland defeats the USA and Pakistan wins their final Group A match, Babar’s team will advance to the Super 8 phase. The co-hosts, USA, require at least one point against Ireland. If Pakistan loses points, the USA will advance to the Super 8 phase. Both matches will take place in Lauderhill, and if either encounter is affected by rain, the USA will secure their spot in the Super 8s.
