(AP Photo)
Since that memorable night in Dubai a year and a half ago, India has further solidified their dominance, extending their ODI record to 8-0 and widening their T20I margin to 6-1 in World Cups. The question of rivalry seems to fade against such overwhelming statistics.
It took Pakistan almost three decades and thirteen attempts to finally defeat India for the first time in all World Cup encounters. From March 3, 1992, to October 24, 2021, Pakistan suffered seven consecutive defeats to their arch-rivals in 50-over World Cup matches. Additionally, India maintained a perfect 5-0 record against Pakistan in T20 World Cup clashes during that period until their neighbors secured their inaugural victory in a commanding fashion.
In the eighteen months since that memorable night in Dubai, India has further solidified their dominance, now boasting an 8-0 record in 50-over matches and a 6-1 margin in 20-over contests in World Cups. One might question the existence of a rivalry given such overwhelming statistics.
The staggering combined scoreline of 14-1 between India and Pakistan defies logical explanation and stands as one of cricket’s enduring mysteries. Across different eras, Pakistani cricketers have faced their Indian counterparts, consistently ending up on the losing side. Many of these players have not carried personal baggage from past encounters, yet they seem overwhelmed by the weight of history. The remarkable skew in fortunes between evenly matched teams remains inexplicable.
While it’s tempting, and perhaps lazy, to attribute Pakistan’s unpredictability to their mercurial nature, there’s more to their story. While they can indeed be unpredictable and occasionally self-sabotaging, they often display ferocious resilience when pushed into a corner, except when facing India. The psychological impact of facing the Men in Blue seems to weigh heavily on them, with each successive defeat dealing a crushing blow to their hopes of leveling the playing field in World Cup encounters.
In last year’s 50-over World Cup match in Ahmedabad, Pakistan squandered a promising position, collapsing dramatically from 155 for two midway through the 30th over to 191 all out. Their downfall, with eight wickets falling for just 36 runs in 81 deliveries, was nothing short of astonishing. Wickets tumbled with careless abandon, with only one batsman among the last seven managing to reach double digits. Fueled by a fervent home crowd, India cruised to victory with seven wickets in hand and a whopping 117 deliveries to spare. It was a resounding defeat, plain and simple.
This crushing loss in Ahmedabad came precisely a year and 10 days after a gut-wrenching defeat in a group match of the T20 World Cup in Melbourne. In front of a nearly 90,000-strong crowd at the MCG, where almost 90% of the spectators rooted for Rohit Sharma’s men, Pakistan faced a heartbreak as Virat Kohli’s heroic innings kept India in contention until the very last moment. Eventually, R Ashwin nudged the final delivery from left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz over mid-off for the decisive run, leaving Pakistan in a state of disbelief.
Above all else, these two encounters showcased the resilience and conviction of the Indian team, highlighting their unwavering belief in their abilities and their composure to make astute decisions under pressure. For instance, Ashwin’s calculated move to adjust his position and induce a leg-side wide from Nawaz off the last ball to level the scores exemplified their tactical acumen. Whether leading from the front with ruthless efficiency or digging in for a hard-fought battle, India displayed their mettle in every situation. Perhaps there’s a lesson here for Pakistan to glean.
For Pakistan, Sunday’s showdown at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium carries immense significance, even more so than for India. Fans on both sides of the border anticipate nothing short of a victory. However, what once appeared to be an inconsequential match, or even a far-fetched possibility from a qualification standpoint, has now taken on a whole new dimension following Pakistan’s Super Over loss to the US in Dallas on Thursday. A triumph would rejuvenate Pakistan’s campaign, while another defeat would dangerously teeter them on the brink. The question remains: which version of Pakistan will emerge?
Indeed, that perennial question always looms large. Regardless of the captain, currently Babar Azam, who has resumed leadership after a brief stint by Shaheen Shah Afridi, or the coach, presently Gary Kirsten, the enigmatic Pakistan team remains utterly unpredictable. They defy expectations, surging back when least expected and faltering when favored. Cricket without the Pakistanis would certainly lack excitement.
Is there an excess of hype surrounding India-Pakistan matches, given the one-sided nature of the results? Undoubtedly. Is this hype warranted, considering this rivalry may no longer be as significant as it once was? It’s a difficult question to answer. Can fans in either country set aside their emotions? Can players treat it as just another game? Will it ever stop being the ultimate showdown in every World Cup? You see where we’re going with this, right?
