PAK vs CAN, T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan vs Canada Pitch report, head-to-head, playing 11 predictions, toss time

On the bright side, Pakistan’s cricketers have barely had time to brood or mope. On the other hand, there’s been no time to lick their wounds either, after the six-run defeat to India that might just have sealed their T20 World Cup fate. There has been an avalanche of criticism in the wake of their performances against the USA and India, with even Gary Kirsten, their new coach, chiming in and saying players need to either evolve or make way.

The bowlers did their job superbly against India, and should be too strong for a callow Canadian line-up to handle. Pakistan’s lack of a quality spinner remains a concern, but the four pace bowlers are as fearsome a prospect as any.

You can’t say the same of a batting group in wretched form. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, reunited at the top of the order before this tournament, may be separated again in order for Saim Ayub to be drafted in. If Babar does drop down to No. 3, Usman Khan should be the one to make way. Despite his leg-spin having lost all potency, Shadab Khan remains one of Pakistan’s most useful middle-order hitters.

Canada were brilliant with the bat against the USA – losing only to Aaron Jones’s blitz – and superb with the ball in beating Ireland. To upset Pakistan in what is the first of their Cup ‘finals’ – they play India next, on June 15 – both units will need to be on song simultaneously. The game-breaker could well be Nicholas Kirton, whose clean ball-striking has already caught the eye of many a T20 franchise scout.