hero-image

Analyzing the history of India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup rivalry

The marquee clash of the 2024 T20 World Cup will take place between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9. The much-hyped contest will get underway at 8 p.m. IST (10:30 a.m. local time).

India and Pakistan have had contrasting starts to their 2024 T20 World Cup campaigns. The Men in Blue beat Ireland by eight wickets in their opening match in New York. Bowling first after winning the toss, Team India bundled out the Irish for 96 in 16 overs as Hardik Pandya claimed 3-27 and Jasprit Bumrah 2-6. India chased down the target with ease in 12.2 overs.

Pakistan, meanwhile, were stunned by co-hosts United States. Batting first, they were held to 159-7. United States put up a spirited chase and finished with 159-3. It all came down to the Super Over, where the United States got the better of Pakistan, shocking Babar Azam and Co.

As India and Pakistan gear up for the mega contest on Sunday, we take a detailed look at the famed rivalry in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup:


History favors Team India

India and Pakistan have clashed seven times in the T20 World Cup so far. (Image Credit: Getty Images)
India and Pakistan have clashed seven times in the T20 World Cup so far. (Image Credit: Getty Images)

If we take a look at the head-to-head numbers of the two teams in the Men's T20 World Cup, Team India have a significant 5-1 lead over Pakistan in seven matches. One game was tied, which India clinched via a bowl-out.

The arch-rivals first clashed in the T20 World Cup during the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007 in South Africa. The thrilling group match ended in a tie in Durban. Batting first, India put up 141-9 as Robin Uthappa top-scored with 50 off 39. For Pakistan, Mohammad Asif starred with 4-18.

India were brilliant with the ball and held Pakistan to 141-7. Irfan Pathan starred with 2-20. Misbah-ul-Haq (53 off 35) gave Pakistan hope in the chase but was run out off the last ball as the scintillating game ended in a tie. India dominated the bowl-out, winning 3-0.

The Asian giants played another nail-biter in the final of the same edition in Johannesburg. Batting first, India posted 157-5 as Gautam Gambhir top-scored with 75 off 54.

Irfan Pathan (3-16) and RP Singh (3-26) were superb with the ball. It all came down to the last over as Misbah (43 off 38) played another blinder. His premeditated scoop off Joginder Singh, however, led to his downfall.

India dominated Pakistan in the next three editions of the T20 World Cup as well, registering thumping victories by eight wickets, seven wickets and six wickets respectively. In 2012 in Colombo, the Men in Blue chased 129 with ease as Virat Kohli hammered 78* off 61.

In the 2014 edition, India chased down 131 in Mirpur in 18.3 overs. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra starred with the ball, claiming 2-22. The batters then did the rest. In 2016, Kohli again starred with 55* off 37 in Kolkata as the Men in Blue chased a target of 119 in 15.5 overs in what was an 18-overs per side contest. Earlier, five bowlers claimed one scalp each to keep Pakistan on the back foot.

The 2021 clash between the two sides was historic as Pakistan registered their first ever win over India in any World Cup match. Bowling first in Dubai, Pakistan held India to 151-7 as Shaheen Shah Afridi excelled with 3-31. Mohammad Rizwan (79* off 55) and Babar Azam (68* off 52) then added an unbroken 152 in 17.5 overs as Pakistan thumped India by 10 wickets.

The India vs Pakistan 2022 T20 World Cup clash in Melbourne will be remembered as one of the greatest cricket matches. Chasing a target of 160, India crumbled to 31-4.

However, Kohli (82* off 53), with some help from Hardik Pandya (40 off 37), led India's fightback. He played some sensational strokes, striking six fours and four sixes, to lift the Men in Blue to an iconic four-wicket triumph.


Virat Kohli's dominance in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup matches

Virat Kohli has enjoyed the challenge of batting against Pakistan. (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Virat Kohli has enjoyed the challenge of batting against Pakistan. (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Kohli is the leading run-getter in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup matches by a distance. In five games, he has 308 runs at an average of 308 (4 not outs) and a strike rate of 132.75. The 35-year-old's scores in T20 World Cup matches against Pakistan read 78*, 36*, 55*, 57 and 82*.

For Pakistan, veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik is the leading run-getter against India in the Men's T20 World Cup. He has 100 runs in five innings, with a best of 28. Overall, Kohli's 82* is the record for the highest score in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup matches.

Among bowlers, former India all-rounder Irfan is the leading wicket-taker, with six wickets in three matches at an average of 11 and an economy rate of six.

For Pakistan, Asif has claimed five wickets in two matches at an average of 8.60 and an economy rate of 6.14. His figures of 4-18 registered in 2007 are the best by a bowler in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup matches.


Highest and lowest totals in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup matches

Team India's total of 160-6 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the 2022 edition is a record for the highest team total in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup matches.

Pakistan's score of 118-5 in 2016 at Eden Gardens is the lowest team total in Indo-Pak contests in the T20 World Cup. However, it was an 18-over game. In a full 20-over match, Pakistan's score of 128 in Colombo in 2012 is the lowest.

You may also like