The ICC announced the fixtures of T20 World Cup 2021 earlier today. The qualifiers will be played from October 17 to 22. India have been placed in group B alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. The arch-rivals will be playing on October 24 in Dubai. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has shared his thoughts on the India-Pakistan game to be played in Dubai.
Like in the 50-over format, Pakistan has never beaten India in the T20 World Cups as well. Gambhir said that is a good thing that India is playing Pakistan early in the tournament. Once the match is done, they can focus in the remaining matches and in the world cup ahead.
“It is important to play Pakistan in the early stages of the tournament because what happens is — you don’t want to keep thinking about Pakistan — you can finish it off initially and concentrate on the entire tournament, and it is exactly the same for the fans and the country as well” said Gambhir.
You Don’t Want To Keep Thinking About Pakistan: Gautam Gambhir
The southpaw further said that he is happy that irrespective of the result both teams are playing each other early in the tournament.
“Irrespective of what the result is, I am really happy for both the countries that they are going to play against each other in the initial stages.”
After playing Pakistan on October 24, India then play New Zealand on October 31. After New Zealand, India play Afghanistan on November 3, followed by matches against the two qualifying teams on November 5 and 8. The group stage will conclude on 8 November, with India taking on the second-placed Round 1 qualifier from Group A. India will play four games in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi.
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