KARACHI: For the majority of people in Pakistan, Thursday, June 6, is the day Pakistan’s cricket team begins its T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against the United States in Dallas. But that’s not the only important sporting event the country would be playing today.
Today is also a historic day for Pakistan football since the Shaheens will also lock horns with Saudi Arabia at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad. This also marks the first visit of a top-tier Asian side to Pakistan since 2007.
Additionally, the Pakistan volleyball team will also be in action today during the AVC Challenge Cup in Bahrain.
Under the leadership of star batter Babar Azam, the Green Shirts will aim to make a strong start in the T20 World Cup as they look to win the mega event for the second time in their history.
Pakistan’s record in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has been impressive since its inception in 2007. After clinching the trophy in 2009, Pakistan also qualified for the finals in 2007 and 2022, while also playing in the semis in 2010, 2012, and 2021.
On the other hand, the USA, who are making their World Cup debut, have already played one match in the tournament, where they registered an impressive win over Canada courtesy of an explosive 40-ball 94 by Aaron Jones.
“I, like all my teammates, am extremely confident going into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. It is time for the big one and I know each and every member of the side is anxiously waiting to start so that they can play their part and contribute to a strong and successful campaign,” Azam said before the match.
It’s likely to be a full house at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad for the match between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s men’s football teams as the home side takes on one of the best teams in Asia.
Pakistan have lost all four Group G matches in the second round of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, while Saudi Arabia are at the top of the table with 10 points from four games.
While a win for Pakistan seems far-fetched but Stephen Constantine’s side would be hoping to give Saudi Arabia a run for their money.
“I’m trying to put the foundations in place. We are getting younger in every camp – there’s a 15-and-a-half-year-old in the current squad. We’re putting the U-19s and U-21s together and adding other guys in. We are going to try to be competitive in every game. It’s Saudi, they’re a massive team, but they are going to come here and play on a nice bumpy ground and we’ll give them hell!” Constantine told fifa.com before the match.
Volleyball has always been a very popular sport in the rural areas of Pakistan but over the past few years, the national side was unable to make its mark on the international arena.
However, recently the Pakistan team has been doing extremely well with a flurry of wins under their belt. After securing fifth place at the Asian Games last year, Pakistan won the CAVA Nations League last month while also completing a 3-0 clean sweep over a higher-ranked side in the shape of Australia.
The Murad Jehan-led side is currently featuring in the AVC Challenge Cup, where they will face Vietnam in the quarter-final today. Pakistan qualified for the quarters after beating Kazakhstan and defending champions Thailand in Pool B. The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup.
Initially, there were some concerns about the Pakistan team after Issanaye Ramires Ferraz, who had played a key role in putting the team on the right track, resigned as the team’s coach but new boss Ruben Wolochin has proved his doubters wrong as his troops are now on an 11-match unbeaten run under his tutelage.
So, with three exciting matches coming your way, are you ready for Super Thursday?
Pakistan vs Vietnam - 6:30pm
Pakistan vs Saudi Arabia - 8:30pm
Pakistan vs USA - 8:30pm