COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Pakistan and the United States are set to face off on Tuesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club in the 12th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with both teams looking to strengthen their position in Group A.
The group also includes India, Namibia, and the Netherlands, and the upcoming contest will mark the second match of the tournament for both sides.
Pakistan opened their campaign with a narrow three-wicket win over the Netherlands in the tournament curtain-raiser on Saturday. The United States, meanwhile, began their campaign with a 29-run loss to defending champions India on the opening day of the competition.
Despite Pakistan’s stature as a traditional powerhouse, the head-to-head record between the two sides in T20 internationals favors the United States.
The teams have met once in T20Is, with the United States winning that encounter. The match, played during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, is remembered as one of the biggest upsets in tournament history, when the co-hosts defeated Pakistan in a group-stage game at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
Recent form suggests Pakistan enter the match with momentum. The team has won four of its last five T20 internationals, including the recent victory over the Netherlands. Pakistan also claimed a three-match home T20I series against Australia ahead of the World Cup, adding to their confidence.
The United States have recorded three wins in their last five T20Is but are still searching for their first victory of the current tournament. The team will be aiming to draw inspiration from their historic win over Pakistan in their previous meeting.
As both sides look to make an early impact in a competitive group, the match carries added intrigue given the memory of the United States’ stunning upset and Pakistan’s recent run of strong form. (Source: IANS)
