USA captain Monank Patel wants his team to continue their fearless approach when they face high-profile Pakistan in their T20 World Cup clash on June 6. Patel emphasises the importance of focusing on tackling Pakistan's bowling attack, specifically the experienced Mohammad Amir, and their superstar batter Babar Azam. USA's stunning victory against Canada in their T20 World Cup 2024 opener serves as a clear reminder of their capabilities. The team's ability to turn a precarious situation into a convincing triumph showcases their confidence. This winning spirit comes on the heels of a thrilling 2-1 series victory over Bangladesh, further boosting their morale. Additionally, having played Canada at the same venue offers a potential advantage, with the USA already familiar with the setting.
USA captain hints at another upset in clash against Pakistan
"The first game definitely helped us. We got good momentum. We will make sure that we carry forward that momentum in the next game. Pakistan is a good side, is a well-experienced side and we will make sure that we play the cricket we have been playing. Pakistan has good experienced bowlers. We will focus on Mohammad Amir, who is an experienced Pakistani bowler, we will try to tackle him well," Patel said in a pre-match press conference.
Downplaying the pressure of facing Pakistan, USA captain Monank Patel emphasised his team's focus on executing their own game plan. He believes that if they can establish themselves well within the first 30-40 minutes, they have the potential to ‘take the game away’ from their opponents. This highlights Patel's confidence in his team's ability to cause an upset, regardless of their opponent's reputation.
"I mean, we won't focus much on the Pakistan side. We want to focus on our own cricket. And we want to make sure that we continue playing the way we've been playing. And you know, it's T20. Once we have good 30-40 minutes on the field, you never know. We can take the game away," he added.
Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, is a force to be reckoned with, especially in T20s. He's amassed a staggering 4023 runs in just 112 innings, solidifying his reputation as a star batter in this format. This upcoming match against the USA marks a historic first, as these two teams have never faced each other in a T20 International. Recognizing Babar's dominance in T20s, USA captain Monank Patel sees his dismissal as a crucial factor in their strategy.
"Babar is a great batsman in all the formats. He is the main player and he is the captain. If he plays long innings, we have seen in the past also. So yeah, his wicket will be really important for us and we all know his stats. He's been very consistent in T20s," Patel concluded.
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