The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the World T20 tournament promises high-octane action tomorrow at 8:00 pm. As the two cricketing giants prepare to clash, Pakistan's formidable squad led by Babar Azam, supported by the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Afridi, will face off against India's star-studded team featuring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah. With a blend of experienced players and exciting talents, this match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is set to be a thrilling encounter that fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting.

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Rishabh Pant wittily responds to PAK’s Wahab Riaz after he made a derogatory statement on India’s team management

Former Pakistan selector Wahab Riaz's criticism of the Indian administration for benching him during the 2022 T20 World Cup was obliquely addressed by Rishabh Pant.

For those who might forget, Dinesh Karthik was chosen in Pant's place in India's playing XI for the team's last T20 World Cup encounter against Pakistan.

The exchange proceeded as follows:

Pant was asked by the India TV anchor:-

“Pakistan players keep their eyes on Rishabh Pant. Wahab Raiz said that Indians made him sit out in the last T20 World Cup if he had been part of Pakistan’s team, he would have surely played.”

Rishabh Pant gave an interesting response, showing his love for the country. The wicket-keeper batter responded: 

“When you play for India then you feel proud to represent them that you don’t even think about representing any other country.”

What remarks were made by Wahab Riaz on Rishabh Pant at the T20 World Cup in 2022?

"Rishabh Pant is India's best wicketkeeper-batter since MS Dhoni. He even has hundreds in England and Australia. If he was in the Pakistan team, would he sit outside in a World Cup match? No chance. India kept him out for Dinesh Karthik," Riaz told News 24HD.

"They know Pant is a good player who will score a lot of runs but he can't be a finisher. At that specific number, they need a finisher. Pant might hit a couple of sixes but if he fails to finish the game, India will lose. That's the way to go," he added.

With 3 half-centuries and 446 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 155.40, Rishabh Pant has been in outstanding form since his return in the IPL 2024. Pant produced an undefeated 36 off of 26 balls in India's 2024 T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, and he sealed the win with a six.

Pant triumphantly returned to international cricket before the tournament by slamming a quickfire 53* off 32 balls against Bangladesh in a warm-up match. This was his first international game back after a year-long absence brought on by a vehicle accident in December of 2022.