Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has offered his thoughts on the hotly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Kaif voiced faith in the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team, saying they will not be particularly worried about facing Pakistan's weak batting lineup. However, he emphasised that India needs to be careful of Pakistan's strong bowling assault.

The highly anticipated showdown between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place at the Nassau County Cricket International Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9th. As always, cricket fans around the world are eagerly awaiting this intense encounter between the two arch-rivals.

Kaif highlighted Pakistan's batting lineup, acknowledging the aggressive opener, Fakhar Zaman. While emphasizing Zaman's potential to sway the match in Pakistan's favor with his attacking style of play, Kaif also mentioned middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed as another dangerous player to watch out for. Apart from them, he suggests that they don’t have players who can play attacking cricket.

"Everyone knows Pakistan's batting is weak. Fakhar Zaman plays a little fast. If he fires, he can probably win the match alone. Iftikhar Ahmad plays fast but other than that, everyone plays at a strike rate of 120 to 125. You are not that scared of their batting but are scared of their bowling," Kaif told Star Sports.

"They will have Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Naseem Shah didn't come to play in the World Cup in India. He was injured, but he is fit here. This will be a bouncy pitch. Naseem Shah is a very good bowler. If you talk about the Melbourne match that Virat Kohli won, if you see Naseem Shah's first spell, he got a nick and the catch was dropped at slip," Kaif added.

He also said India should not underestimate Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 clash. Despite Pakistan's recent back-to-back losses, Kaif emphasized that the Babar Azam-led side should not be taken lightly, as they are renowned for their ability to make comebacks.

"It doesn't matter what form Pakistan comes with. They are coming after losing in England but we know Pakistan's history. They are coming after losing but can suddenly do anything. They played the final last time.

"The reason for that is the New York Stadium is open, so their pacers will get swing, and since the Adelaide curator has made the pitch, it will be hard and bouncy. On this pitch, although India are a very strong and balanced team, they have spinners and fast bowlers, Bumrah is there and Kuldeep will play, and players are in form, Virat Kohli has form, I believe it's an even contest,” he concluded.