T20 World Cup: IND vs PAK – Brief history of the rivalry
India and Pakistan are set to rekindle their epic rivalry in the T20 World Cup in Australia with a blockbuster fixture at the iconic MCG on the 23rd of October. The renowned venue in Melbourne is slated to welcome 100,000 spectators for the contest.
India holds an edge over their eternal rivals in World Cups, but Babar Azam’s side broke their jinx in T20 World Cups last year by hammering the Men in Blue by ten wickets in Dubai in 2021. India have won five out of their six meeting in the tournament’s history but will be weary of their opposition. With the titanic clash just around the corner, we list all the previous meetings between the two fierce rivals.
India vs Pakistan, Durban, 2007
The inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup reignited the blockbuster rivalry between the neighbours in the shortest format. India batted first to set a par total of 141 on the back of Robin Uthappa’s half-century. Pakistan stumbled early in their chase and even after Misbah-ul-Haq’s riposte, and only managed to tie the match before India eventually got over the line after winning the famous bowl-out.
India vs Pakistan, Johannesburg, 2007
The earlier encounter between the two sides served as a mere trailer as the arch-rivals clashed in the summit clash in Johannesburg the same year. India posted a challenging score of 158 on the back of Gautam Gambhir’s magnificent 75. Pakistan got off to a flying start thanks to Imran Nazir’s blistering cameo at the top of the innings, but India wrestled back the momentum, picking wickets at regular intervals. With 13 needed off the final over, Misbah-ul-Haq launched a six against Joginder Sharma to close in on the victory, before perishing on the very next delivery to hand India the inaugural title.
India vs Pakistan, Colombo, 2012
The 2012 edition of the T20 World Cup saw the rivals meet at the Group stage. Unfortunately, the match did not live up to the expectation as India thwarted their neighbours in a one-sided encounter. Pakistan set a mediocre total of 128 runs, which was chased by the Men in Blue at the loss of just two wickets and 18 balls to spare.
India vs Paksitan, Dhaka, 2014
A group stage clash between the two eternal rivals once again fizzled into a no contest as India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in 2014. Pakistan were restricted to a below-par total of 130 and Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina guided their side to victory with nine deliveries to spare.
India vs Pakistan, Kolkata, 2016
Eden Gardens hosted India’s titular clash against nemesis Pakistan in 2016 in what was rain-interrupted 18-overs-per-side game. Pakistan managed only 118/5 in their allocated over before India were rocked early in the chase. However, but Virat Kohli stepped up, registering a sublime half-century to take India home with 13 deliveries to spare.
India vs Pakistan, Dubai, 2021
Pakistan finally broke the losing streak against their rivals India in 2021. India posted a competitive 151 runs after Shaheen Afridi blew them away with his terrific opening spell. Pakistan chased with utter disregard, getting home with ten wickets to spare on the back of half-centuries from Babar and Rizwan.
