The ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is already happening in various cities in the United States and the Caribbean, bringing cricket’s electrifying atmosphere to new audiences. This year’s tournament features 16 teams, each with its unique flair and competitive spirit.

Team India’s Campaign

India will begin their campaign with a match against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. This newly constructed makeshift venue, which hosted its first international match on Monday between Sri Lanka and South Africa, will stage seven more games.

The High-Voltage India vs. Pakistan Match

The India vs. Pakistan match is more than just a game—it’s a clash of titans and a battle that transcends the boundaries of sport. These two Asian teams share one of the most intense rivalries in cricket history, making every encounter a spectacle. The temporary 34,000-seat stadium in East Meadow, New York, will be filled to capacity, with millions more watching eagerly from their television sets, anticipating the outcome of this epic showdown.

See Also: IND vs IRE: Virat Kohli Joins Team India Practice in USA; Major Update on His Participation Against Ireland

Historically, India has dominated Pakistan in T20 World Cup matches, winning six out of seven encounters. The only exception came in 2021 when Pakistan defeated Virat Kohli’s side by 10 wickets during the ‘Super 12’ stage.

Under Rohit Sharma’s seasoned leadership, Team India is looking formidable. Their preparation and performance in the lead-up to the tournament have been impressive, especially with a decisive victory against Bangladesh in the warm-up match.

Historical Context

The T20 World Cup has a rich history, with each edition bringing unforgettable moments and incredible matches. Since its inception in 2007, the tournament has grown in stature, becoming a key event in the cricket calendar. India has had a remarkable journey in past T20 World Cups, with significant victories and memorable performances.

India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup Clashes

1. 2007: The Inaugural T20 World Cup (League Match)

In the first-ever T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan faced off in a group match that ended in a dramatic tie, leading to a bowl-out that India won. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl. Mohammad Asif, the Man of the Match, was splendid and his 4 for 18 rattled the Indian top-order. Uthappa scored a plucky half-century and a late flourish from Pathan and Dhoni took India to 141 for 9.

Pakistan chased the 141 runs target set by India, and the match was tied. Irfan Pathan took 2 for 20 in his comeback match and Harbhajan bowled an excellent spell as well until his final over. Arafat and Misbah, however, hammered boundaries at will during the last three overs but couldn’t score 1 off the last two balls. The match ended in a tie after Misbah was run-out and then India prevailed 3-0 in a bowl-out.

The officials then decided to announce the winner based on the bowl-out and India came out as the winner of the match in Durban, South Africa. 

2. 2007: The Inaugural T20 World Cup final in Johannesburg

This is a historic day for India as on this day 14 years ago men in blue became the World T20 Champions after defeating their arch-rival, Pakistan. India defeated Pakistan by 5 runs in a thrilling final at Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Before the match, MS Dhoni had to replace the injured Virender Sehwag with debutant Yusuf Pathan. Pathan scored a quick 15 runs, but India stumbled to 40/2. Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir stabilized the innings with a 63-run partnership, but a collapse left India at 158/5, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s quick 30.

Pakistan, needing over 8 runs per over, lost early wickets to RP Singh. Despite a middle-order collapse, Misbah-ul-Haq kept their hopes alive. With 13 runs needed off the final over, Dhoni entrusted rookie Joginder Sharma to bowl. Sharma dismissed Misbah, securing India’s victory in the final over.

3. 2012: Super 8 Clash in Colombo

India defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets in the 2012 Super 8 match, with Virat Kohli playing a pivotal role both with the bat and the ball. India chased down a target of 129 runs to beat Pakistan by a massive 8-wicket margin

Pakistan started strongly with 26 runs and five boundaries in the first two overs but struggled afterward. Captain Mohammad Hafeez scored slowly, taking 6.5 overs to score the next 26 runs. India’s bowling, although not exceptional, kept the pressure on with 53 dot balls. Despite Shoaib Malik’s efforts, Pakistan faltered under the pressure of dot balls and strategic bowling changes.

India’s pre-match plans worked well, with part-timers contributing to the bowling attack. In the chase, Pakistan’s early breakthrough was countered by a solid partnership between Sehwag and Kohli. Kohli’s calmness and Sehwag’s support ensured India’s victory, showcasing their dominance over Pakistan in the match.

4. 2014: Group Match in Dhaka

India easily chased Pakistan’s target, winning by 7 wickets in the group stage of the 2014 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan batted nervously and was bowled out for 128, falling short despite a spirited effort with the ball. Despite a partnership between Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik, Pakistan couldn’t post a challenging total. India’s disciplined bowling limited Pakistan’s scoring, particularly in the last three overs.

Despite a shaky start, India’s openers Dhawan and Sharma provided a decent platform. Kohli and Raina calmly guided India to victory, even against Ajmal’s bowling.

5. 2016: Group Match in Kolkata

Continuing their winning streak, India beat Pakistan by 6 wickets in the 2016 T20 World Cup, with Virat Kohli again leading the charge.

India needed a win to maintain control of their destiny in the World T20. Despite some tactical errors, they were left with a challenging target of 119 to chase. In conditions where the ball slowed down and turned sharply, Kohli’s 55 off 37 balls was crucial in securing India’s 11th victory over Pakistan in World Cup matches. Dhawan and Raina fell to Sami’s bowling, putting India under pressure. However, Yuvraj Singh’s composed innings of 24 supported Kohli in a match-winning partnership.

6. 2021: Group Match in Dubai

In a historic turn of events, Pakistan secured their first World Cup victory against India, winning by 10 wickets in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Pakistan secured their first-ever 10-wicket win in T20 internationals against India, chasing down a target comfortably in their 13th attempt in World Cups.

Shaheen Shah Afridi starred with the ball, dismissing India’s openers early on. Despite a middle-overs tussle, Pakistan’s openers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, led a nerveless chase to seal the victory.

Afridi’s late inswinging deliveries troubled India’s batters, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul falling early. Despite India’s efforts to accelerate, Pakistan’s disciplined bowling restricted them to a below-par total. In response, Pakistan’s openers capitalized on the dew factor, scoring freely to secure a historic victory with ease.

7. 2022: Group Match in Melbourne

India clinched a thrilling victory by four wickets against Pakistan in a nail-biting encounter at Melbourne, kickstarting their World Cup campaign on a high note. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the Indian team made a strong start by dismissing both Pakistani openers cheaply.

However, a resilient partnership between Ahmed (51 off 34) and Masood (52* off 42) provided some stability for Pakistan. Despite their efforts, Pakistan lost momentum after the dismissal of Iftikhar Ahmed, leading to a flurry of wickets. Eventually, they posted a total of 159 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, with Hardik and Arshdeep claiming 3 wickets each.

In reply, India faced a shaky start, finding themselves at 31/4 right after the powerplay. However, Kohli and Pandya’s impressive 113-run partnership kept India in the game. Although their partnership was broken in the last over, India managed to secure a dramatic victory, once again defeating Pakistan in a World Cup match, largely thanks to Kohli’s outstanding performance.