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Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will clash in a highly anticipated match in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday (June 9) at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. This fixture carries additional significance as it brings together two of cricket’s fiercest competitors on the field against each other
Mohammad Amir recalls heartwarming gesture from Virat Kohli
Ahead of this crucial encounter, Pakistan’s seamer Mohammad Amir shared a heartwarming story involving India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli. In 2016, Kohli gifted Amir one of his bats, a gesture that has since been by both these players as a remembered as a symbol of sportsmanship and respect between the two cricketing nations.
Recounting the incident, Amir revealed that the story began during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh. Speaking with Star Sports, Amir detailed how he and fellow cricketer Imad Wasim encountered Kohli in a gallery during the tournament. Imad was examining Kohli’s bat, which prompted Amir to express his own desire for the bat. Kohli, in response, promised to gift him the bat when Pakistan visited India for the T20 World Cup. True to his word, Kohli gifted his MRF bat to Amir when the teams met at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This gesture came at a time when Amir was making his return to international cricket after serving a ban for spot-fixing, making the moment even more poignant.
“The bat story started in Bangladesh when Asia Cup was taking place. After the match, me and Imad Wasim were walking towards the dressing room. We saw Virat coming towards us. So, Imad checked Virat’s bat. So I said ‘Leave Imad, I need your bat. So Virat promised me. He said you are coming to India for the World Cup, I will give you my bat there. So he was practicing in Kolkata and I shouted to him ‘where is my bat?’ He said ‘yes I have brought it’ and then after the practice, he gave me his bat,” Amir said.
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Contrasting starts in the T20 World Cup 2024: India and Pakistan
As the T20 World Cup progresses, India and Pakistan find themselves in contrasting positions. India, led by Rohit Sharma, began their campaign with a dominant performance against Ireland. The Men in Blue bowled out Ireland for just 96 runs and chased down the target with ease, winning by eight wickets. Senior paceman Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball, securing the Player of the Match award for his exceptional spell of 2/6 from three overs. In stark contrast, Pakistan faced a surprising defeat at the hands of co-hosts United States of America (USA) on June 6. In a thrilling Super Over encounter, Pakistan fell short, adding pressure as they prepare to face India.
