Pakistan Decides Against T20 World Cup Warm-Up Matches In USA

Unlike India, Pakistan did not participate in any T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up matches after arriving in the USA for their Group A fixtures. The team, led by Babar Azam, skipped warm-up games before their opener against the USA on June 6 due to various reasons.

A report from Cricket.com.au indicated that all teams were given the option to play warm-up matches ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. However, Pakistan, England, and New Zealand chose not to participate in these preparatory games.

It is worth noting that Pakistan had recently been involved in a four-match T20I series against England. Their last match was played in London on Thursday, May 30. With the tournament set to begin on June 1 (July 2 in India and Pakistan), there was insufficient time for the team to engage in a warm-up match.

Pakistan might regret not playing any warm-up games in US conditions. The team struggled during their European tour, losing the opening T20I against Ireland in Dublin.

Two of their four matches in England were abandoned due to rain, and they suffered defeats in the remaining two games. Before their tour of Ireland, they had to settle for a 2-2 draw against New Zealand at home.

Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, Ireland, USA, and Canada. The Men in Green will have some net sessions before kicking off their T20 World Cup campaign in the USA on June 6. Pakistan will face arch-rivals India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on June 9.

The squad includes: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.