T20 World Cup 2024: Shahid Afridi predicts the semifinalists of the tournament

Pakistan's legendary former All-rounder Shahid Afridi thinks that Babar Azam can lead the National side towards the last four stages of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 

In just a week, the T20 carnival will shift from the IPL to the competition between top International teams at the 20-20 World Cup. All the teams are almost set to fly over to the USA and West Indies for the competition. The Pakistani team in the meantime is playing a 4-match T20I series in England after beating Ireland in a 3-match series by 2-1.

The Pakistani team have made full use of the time they had from April to May when most of the top cricketing names were busy playing the IPL. Babar Azam and Co. first played a home 2-2 draw against a second-string New Zealand team. Then they started their European trip with a loss to Ireland in the 1st T20I before bouncing back and winning back-to-back matches. 

Amid the crisis in the team, Shahid Afridi puts more pressure on the Pakistani team

Pakistan's trip to England started with the 1st T20I getting washed out without a ball bowled. And today the 2nd match of the series will be taking place in Edgbaston. This will be a very good series for both teams in their preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup. It is going to be specifically important for the traveling team as they might announce their WC 15-man squad. 

Amid the team's preparation in England, a report emerged from Pakistan that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has paused the selection committee's process. Naqvi is reportedly very annoyed by the decision-making and attitude of the 7-man panel, which is led by former left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz. 

It will be interesting to see when the PCB announces the squad but in the build-up to the tournament, WC 2024 ambassador Shahid Afridi revealed his thoughts on the last 4. 

Shahid Afridi was unveiled as the latest ambassador who will join other names like Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, and Usain Bolt. In the interview conducted by the ICC, Afridi was asked to choose his semi-finalists for the latest edition. He believes Pakistan is going to join ODI World Champions Australia, arch-rivals India, and the spirited New Zealand.  

"Pakistan ko mai samajhta hoon ki final khelna chahiye (I think Pakistan should play the Final). So I will go with Australia, India, and, unn conditions ke andar, I will go with New Zealand." - Shahid Afridi told the ICC. 

Pakistan's schedule for ICC T20 World Cup 2024 

After playing the series in England, Pakistan will fly out to the USA for the Group stages of the T20 World Cup 2024 which will begin against the USA on June 6. Following their opening tie in Dallas, Men in Green will head to New York for the Indo-Pak clash on June 9 before facing Canada and Ireland on 11 and 16 June. 

All the Super 8 and knockout games are going to take place in Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.