Few rivalries in the world of sports stir as much passion, excitement, and intensity as the cricketing contests between India and Pakistan. Over the years, their encounters in the T20 World Cup have provided fans with unforgettable moments of drama and brilliance. As we reflect on these epic battles, it becomes clear why these matches are some of the most highly anticipated and talked-about events in the cricketing calendar.
2007 ICC World Twenty20, Group Stage
Date: September 14, 2007
Location: Kingsmead, Durban
Result: Match tied (India won the bowl-out 3-0)
India: 141/9 (20 overs)
Pakistan: 141/7 (20 overs)
The inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 marked the beginning of an era. India and Pakistan met for the first time in this format on September 14, 2007, at Kingsmead, Durban. The match ended in a thrilling tie, with both teams scoring 141 runs. The tie-breaker, a bowl-out, saw India triumph 3-0, showcasing their coolness under pressure. Robin Uthappa’s 50 was crucial, but it was the nerve-wracking bowl-out that etched this match in the memories of fans.
2007 ICC World Twenty20, Final
Date: September 24, 2007
Location: Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Result: India won by 5 runs
India: 157/5 (20 overs)
Pakistan: 152 all out (19.3 overs)
Just ten days later, on September 24, 2007, the two teams faced each other again, this time in the final at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Batting first, India posted 157/5, with a 75-run innings from Gautam Gambhir. Pakistan, led by Misbah-ul-Haq’s valiant 43, fell short by just 5 runs, finishing at 152 all out. India’s victory by 5 runs crowned them the inaugural T20 World Champions, with this match laying the foundation of their dominance in the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup encounters.
2012 ICC World Twenty20, Group Stage
Date: September 30, 2012
Location: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Result: India won by 8 wickets
Pakistan: 128 all out (19.4 overs)
India: 129/2 (17 overs)
Five years later, the rivalry was reignited at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 30, 2012. Pakistan, batting first, managed only 128 runs, with none of their batsmen able to dominate the Indian bowlers. Lakshmipathy Balaji’s 3-wicket haul was instrumental in restricting Pakistan. In response, Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 78 ensured a comfortable 8-wicket victory for India. This match highlighted India’s continued superiority in the shortest format against their arch-rivals.
2014 ICC World Twenty20, Group Stage
Date: March 21, 2014
Location: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
Result: India won by 7 wickets
Pakistan: 130/7 (20 overs)
India: 131/3 (18.3 overs)
The trend of India’s dominance continued in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. On March 21, 2014, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Pakistan once again found themselves struggling against India’s disciplined bowling attack, managing 130/7 in their 20 overs. Amit Mishra’s mysterious spin and disciplined line did not allow Pakistan batters to score. India’s chase was anchored by Virat Kohli, who scored 36 not out, leading India to a 7-wicket victory and reinforcing their supremacy in World Cup T20 clashes.
2016 ICC World Twenty20, Group Stage
Date: March 19, 2016
Location: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Result: India won by 6 wickets
Pakistan: 118/5 (18 overs, reduced due to rain)
India: 119/4 (15.5 overs)
The 2016 ICC World Twenty20 encounter at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on March 19, 2016, was affected by rain, reducing the match to 18 overs per side. Pakistan, batting first, posted a modest 118/5. Mohammad Sami’s early breakthroughs gave Pakistan hope, but Virat Kohli’s masterclass 55 not out guided India to a 6-wicket victory. This match was particularly memorable for Kohli’s celebration, as he acknowledged the electrifying atmosphere created by a packed Eden Gardens.
2021 ICC T20 World Cup, Group Stage
Date: October 24, 2021
Location: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
Result: Pakistan won by 10 wickets
India: 151/7 (20 overs)
Pakistan: 152/0 (17.5 overs)
The 2021 ICC T20 World Cup marked a historic first for Pakistan. On October 24, 2021, at the Dubai International Stadium, Pakistan achieved their first-ever victory over India in a World Cup match, regardless of the format. Shaheen Afridi’s fiery opening spell (3/31) dismantled India’s top order, restricting them to 151/7. In response, Pakistan’s opening duo, Babar Azam (68) and Mohammad Rizwan (79), chased down the target effortlessly, winning by 10 wickets. This emphatic victory was celebrated as a landmark moment in Pakistan’s cricketing history, breaking the long-standing jinx against India in World Cups.
2022 ICC T20 World Cup, Group Stage
Date: October 23, 2022
Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Result: India won by 4 wickets
Pakistan: 159/8 (20 overs)
India: 160/6 (20 overs)
The India-Pakistan clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23, 2022, during the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup was yet another thrilling encounter. Pakistan set a competitive target of 159/8, with notable contributions from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood, both scoring half-centuries. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya each took three wickets to keep Pakistan in check.
India’s chase got off to a shaky start, but Virat Kohli’s masterclass ensured that India remained in the hunt. Kohli scored an unbeaten 82, anchoring the innings as wickets fell around him. Hardik Pandya provided crucial support with a quick 40. Despite the pressure, India reached the target in the final over, winning by 4 wickets. This match was another testament to Kohli’s brilliance and India’s nerve in high-stakes situations.
Reflections and the road ahead
The T20 World Cup matches between India and Pakistan have not only been about cricket but also about the emotions, pride, and national fervor they stir up. Each encounter is a narrative of high stakes, with both teams fighting not just for victory but for national pride. While India has dominated most of these clashes, Pakistan’s recent triumph in 2021 and the closely contested match in 2022 have added new dimensions to the rivalry, promising more thrilling contests in the future.
As the cricketing world looks forward to future T20 World Cups, the anticipation of another India-Pakistan showdown will undoubtedly be one of the highlights. These matches transcend sport, becoming a spectacle of skill, strategy, and raw emotion. Whether it’s the edge-of-the-seat thrillers, the dominant performances, or the historic victories, the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup encounters will always remain a significant chapter in the annals of cricket history.