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As the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan. The two teams are set to clash for the ninth time in the T20 World Cup on June 9 at Nassau County Stadium, Florida. The ICC’s head of events, Chris Tetley, has provided intriguing details about the venue, comparing it to the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Tetley assured that the Nassau County Stadium meets international standards and highlighted its dimensions. “Whenever a new stadium comes up, there are a lot of questions about the size. But the Nassau County ground is not a token-sized ground - it is 75 yards east-west and 67 yards north-south from the center. It is similar to the size of Wankhede. The drainage facilities, too, will be world-class," Tetley said.
Interestingly, the venue, which used to be a municipal park, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art cricket facility by the ICC. The stadium features six practice pitches near the ground, along with four center wickets and drop-in pitches that will be utilized during the tournament.
Damian Hough, head curator of Adelaide Oval, supervised the preparation of the venue’s pitches in Florida, which were then transported to New York. Hough revealed that the surface is expected to have good pace and bounce, providing an ideal playing condition for the cricketers. "The pitches will have pace and bounce and the ball should come on to the bat, something that the players prefer. The idea is to produce good pitches that will stay good throughout the tournament and the players will enjoy playing on," he explained.
The anticipation for the India-Pakistan match is palpable, as fans look forward to witnessing one of the most storied rivalries in cricket. The last encounter between these teams at the T20 World Cup was in 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where India triumphed in a thrilling battle. If the Florida venue can replicate even half of the excitement from the Melbourne clash, fans are in for a memorable experience.
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