'Team like Ireland can certainly upset them' - Robin Uthappa predicts trouble for Pakistan at upcoming T20 World Cup

Former India batter Robin Uthappa thinks Pakistan could receive a major upset at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He picked Ireland as the potential dark horse against the struggling Pakistan side. Uthappa explained why he believed the emerging Irish team could defeat the Men in Green.

Pakistan has had a mixed run in T20 cricket recently. After winning their three-match series against Ireland last month by a 2-1 margin, they lost the subsequent four-match series 2-0 against England. According to Uthappa, their inconsistent form and fielding failures could open the door for Ireland to pull off a shock win.

"For me, I think it is definitely someone like the opening batters, Barbernie and Sterling. They are high-quality players. I think Stirling is someone who is quite underrated. Goes around the world playing league cricket and goes about his business in a very stellar fashion. I think he plays cricket very, very well. Just his approach to cricket is very good. Locan Tucker is also a solid bat. Wicket-keeper. Has consistently performed well," he said on the T20 WC Curtain Raiser: Associate Players Watch’ show on YouTube.

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Look at the batting order, I think it looks quite strong: Robin Uthappa 

He backed left-arm pacer Josh Little to perform well citing his IPL experience with the Gujarat Titans. He also heaped praise for Curtis Campher and Mark Adair.

“If you look at the batting order, I think it looks quite strong in itself. Their bowling attack is also pretty good. Josh Little leads the attack. He’s been very impressive not just for Ireland but even when he has come to India to play in the IPL. Plays leagues around the world. He is a quick customer. Unassuming, Ge seems like he is not very quick. But he is actually very quick. Bowls a very heavy ball. Curtis Campher is someone who has also done really well for them. So, for me, Mark Adair is also someone who has done well,” he added.

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Uthappa feels the Babar Azam-led side's poor fielding could cost them dear against Ireland's batting firepower in the upcoming marquee event.

“It’s just that Pakistan have been one of those teams where, in a tournament, especially in an ICC tournament, they have always been upset by somebody. There is one of those games. See, their fielding has been particularly iffy at all times. we have seen it in the latest Asia Cup that even happened. I think, across time, in fact, Pakistan’s fielding has been very shady in that sense. So I think, one of those games will happen where they will not turn up. I feel a team like Ireland can certainly upset them,” Uthappa concluded.

Both sides will square off against each other in Match No. 36 of the World Cup on June 16 at the Central Broward Stadium, Lauderhill Florida.