NEW DELHI: 2009
T20 World Cup
champions and runners-up in 2007 and 2022 editions,
Pakistan
would be hoping for a winning start against hosts the United States at Dallas on Thursday.
In contrast to the last global event in Australia, the unpredictable Pakistan, runners-up in the previous T20 World Cup, now seem like a shell of their former selves.
Pakistan have had a difficult time both on and off the field going into the World Cup.
Following a humiliating 1-4 loss in
New Zealand
, Shaheen Shah Afridi was removed from captaincy. It was followed by a humiliating home series draw against a struggling New Zealand.
Prior to being humiliated by England 0-2, Pakistan even lost a match against Bangladesh.
But even then a mercurial Pakistan start as favourites against the US and former Pakistan captain
Mohammad Hafeez
highlighted the reason for that.
Hafeez shared a short video clip on X where he is speaking at a talk show in Pakistan flanked by former Pakistan captain
Younis Khan
and former New Zealand batsman
Martin Guptill
.
Asked by one of the two female anchors on Pakistan's chances in their opening clash, Hafeez says, "I will only say for the Pakistan team, as a Pakistani, that this is the only place where we can beat the US (laughs)."
Both the anchors and Younis Khan also break into a laughter at Hafeez's response.
Pakistan were also the semifinalists in the 2010, 2012, and 2021 editions. Pakistan captain
Babar Azam
was making a name for himself in age-group cricket as a 14-year-old when the Younis Khan-led side lifted the silverware at Lord's in 2009.
After the match against the US, the Pakistan team will travel to New York for the big clash against archrivals India on Sunday.
English (US) ·