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The echoes of the 2021 India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match remain vivid. It marked Pakistan’s inaugural victory over India in the tournament’s history, leaving fans crestfallen at the final score. Now, as the two sides prepare to face off again on Sunday, June 9, in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the anticipation is palpable.
Leading up to this highly anticipated clash, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan shared his thoughts on the enduring rivalry with India. Rizwan also shed light on the profound impact that the 2021 victory against India had on the lives of Pakistani cricketers.
“For me, it was all a first, whether it be playing in a World Cup or in such a big match. So I was feeling quite normal, I didn’t think this was any different from any other match. But when we won, that is when I realised what we achieved. In Pakistan, say I go for shopping somewhere, people won’t take money,” Mohammad Rizwan said during an event in the USA, as per NDTV.
“Then I stopped going out for shopping because they just weren’t taking money from us, they were all commending us for beating India. Everyone I met was commending us for the win. Once when I went to someone’s room they had the match playing on television and said that they watch it everyday,” he added.
The last encounter between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup took place in 2022. Led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian team secured a thrilling victory by four wickets on the final ball of the match. The upcoming face-off between these two neighboring nations is scheduled to occur in Nassau County.
Pakistan, the champions of the 2009 T20 World Cup, have maintained a remarkable level of consistency throughout the tournament’s history. They have reached the semi-finals six times in eight editions. Pakistan finished as runners-up in 2007 and 2022. In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan faced defeat against England in the final match.
