Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Friday predicted his semi-finalists for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which begins next month in the United States and West Indies.
Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and India were picked by Afridi for the semi-finals of the mega event in a video released by ICC.
Afridi on Friday was named as the ambassador for the upcoming World Cup.
He joins India’s Yuvraj Singh, ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle and the fastest man on Earth Usain Bolt as ambassadors for the mega event.
Afridi led Pakistan to T20 World Cup title in 2009 while also playing a key role in their run to the final in 2007.
“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart,” said Afridi. “From being Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition to lifting the trophy in 2009, some of my favourite career highlights have come from competing on this stage.
“T20 World Cups have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I’m thrilled to be part of this edition, where we will see more teams, more matches and even more drama than ever before.
“I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on 9 June. It is one of the great rivalries in sport and New York will be a fitting stage for this unmissable encounter between two great teams.”
It must be noted that 55 games will be played across nine different venues in the West Indies and the USA during the T20 World Cup.
The venues in West Indies are Kensington Oval, Barbados; Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad; Providence Stadium, Guyana; Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua; Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Lucia; Arnos Vale Stadium, St Vincent.
Meanwhile, three venues will hold the matches in the USA — Eisenhower Park, New York; Lauderhill, Florida; and Grand Prairie, Texas.