(Source Skysports)
New York is gearing up to host one of the most highly anticipated clashes of the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled for Sunday at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. It will mark the eighth encounter between India and Pakistan in T20 World Cups. India enters the match with confidence after a commanding win over Ireland in their tournament opener, while Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat in a super-over showdown against the USA. With the USA securing two wins in the group, this match holds significant importance for Pakistan to maintain their chances of qualifying for the Super 8 stage.
India has historically been the dominant force in T20 World Cup clashes against Pakistan, boasting a commanding win-loss record of 6-1. Let’s take a look back at all the previous encounters between these two nations in T20 World Cups over the years.
2007 World Cup
In the T20 World Cup 2007, India faced Pakistan in a memorable group stage encounter at Kingsmead in Durban, South Africa. After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to field and restricted India to 141/9, thanks to Mohammad Asif’s outstanding spell of 4-1-18-4, earning him the Player of the Match award. Robin Uthappa top-scored for India with a 39-ball 50, while MS Dhoni contributed 33 off 31. In their chase, Pakistan struggled and were reduced to 87/5 with Irfan Pathan taking 2/20. However, Misbah-ul-Haq’s resilient 35-ball 53 helped Pakistan level the scores in their allotted 20 overs, resulting in the second-ever tied match in T20I history.
To determine the winner, India and Pakistan engaged in a bowl-out, similar to Penalty Kicks in football. Each team nominated bowlers, aiming to hit the vacant stumps from 22 yards. Surprisingly, Pakistan chose their regular bowlers, all of whom missed the stumps. In contrast, India’s part-time bowlers Virender Sehwag and Uthappa, along with Harbhajan Singh, hit the stumps, leading India to a 3-0 victory in the bowl-out and claiming victory in the match.
2007 World Cup Final
In the final of the inaugural T20 World Cup at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, India and Pakistan clashed in what turned out to be a monumental game in the T20 landscape. India emerged victorious, claiming the title by defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets in a thrilling finish.
Opting to bat first, India posted a competitive total of 157/5, fueled by Gautam Gambhir’s resilient 54-ball 75 and Rohit Sharma’s quickfire 16-ball 30. Umar Gul was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, with figures of 3/28.
In response, Pakistan faced early setbacks, losing wickets to RP Singh’s incisive bowling. However, Imran Nazir’s explosive 14-ball 33 and Younis Khan’s steady run-a-ball 24 kept them in contention. Misbah ul Haq’s gritty 38-ball 43 took the game down to the wire. With Pakistan needing 13 runs off the final over bowled by Joginder Sharma, Misbah smashed a six off the second delivery to reduce the equation to 6 runs off 4 balls. However, his attempted ramp shot found S Sreessanth at short third man, who held on to the catch that sealed India’s victory and crowned them champions.
2012 World Cup
In the T20 World Cup 2012 encounter between India and Pakistan, Lakshmipathy Balaji’s three-wicket haul, supported by Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuvraj Singh’s two wickets each, limited Pakistan to a modest total of 128. Virat Kohli then took charge, smashing an unbeaten 78 runs off 61 balls to ensure an early finish to the match. Interestingly, Kohli also contributed with the ball, bowling three overs, conceding 21 runs, and taking a wicket.
2014 World Cup
In the T20 World Cup 2014 Group 2 Super 10 encounter between India and Pakistan, India emerged victorious once again. Pakistan posted a total of 130 runs at Mirpur, Bangladesh, with Umar Akmal being the top scorer with 33 runs off 30 balls. Amit Mishra was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 2 wickets for 22 runs in his four overs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja each took one wicket.
In response, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan provided a solid start, scoring 24 and 30 runs respectively. Virat Kohli (36*) and Suresh Raina (35*) then guided India to victory, reaching the target in 18.3 overs.
2016 World Cup
During the T20 World Cup 2016 held in India, Pakistan found themselves restricted to a modest total of 118 runs at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. Virat Kohli’s exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award, as his knock of 55 runs off 37 deliveries propelled India to victory, securing the win in just 15.5 overs.
2021 World Cup
In the T20 World Cup 2021 clash between India and Pakistan, India batted first and posted a total of 151 runs, thanks to skipper Kohli’s 57 off 49 balls and Rishabh Pant’s 39 off 30 balls. Shaheen Shah Afridi played a significant role in limiting India to 151 by claiming 3 wickets. In the second innings, Pakistan dominated, chasing down the target in 17.5 overs without losing any wickets. Mohammad Rizwan’s impressive 79 off 55 balls and skipper Babar Azam’s solid 68 off 52 balls ensured victory for Pakistan in the Group 2 match.
2022 World Cup
Seeking redemption after their defeat against Pakistan the previous year, India reversed their fortunes in 2022. In the Group 2 Super 12 match at Melbourne, Pakistan posted a total of 159 runs. Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed’s half-centuries laid a solid foundation for Pakistan after the early loss of their openers. However, Virat Kohli’s brilliant 82 off 53 deliveries, supported by Hardik Pandya’s 40 off 37, guided India to a narrow victory in a closely contested match.
