India and Pakistan faced off in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 match in the United States. Pakistan entered the Group A match after a surprising loss to co-hosts USA, while India came off a decisive victory against Ireland. The match was played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Long Island, New York, a venue with a capacity of 34,000.
Security for the event was significantly heightened, with measures comparable to those for a presidential visit. Ticket demand was exceptionally high, with general admission selling out quickly and premium tickets fetching exorbitant prices on resale markets.
The match was scheduled for Sunday, June 9th, at 10:30 am local time (14:30 GMT), translating to 8 pm in India and 7:30 pm in Pakistan. Concerns loomed over potential rain interruptions, with forecasts predicting morning showers. In such a scenario, provisions were in place for shortened matches and extended playing times. Tied matches would be decided by a super over, with subsequent super overs played if necessary.
The playing surface at the temporary Nassau County International Cricket Stadium had drawn criticism after the first few matches. The drop-in pitches favored seam bowlers, making it difficult for batters to score freely. The International Cricket Council acknowledged the issues and promised improvements for the remaining matches. The India-Pakistan game was expected to be played on a newly prepared surface.
Fans unable to attend the match in person had several options for viewing. Official fan parks were set up in various locations, including New York, Texas, Seattle, New Delhi, Rawalpindi, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. Many of these venues also sold out quickly, highlighting the immense global interest in the match.
India held a strong historical advantage over Pakistan in T20 World Cup encounters, having won six out of their seven previous meetings. This history, combined with India’s recent win against Ireland, made them the favorites going into the match. Al Jazeera provided live text and photo coverage of the event, with broadcasting and streaming rights held by various media outlets globally, including Disney Star in India and PTV and Ten Sports in Pakistan. This match marked a significant moment in cricketing history, bringing one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries to a new stage in the United States.
