India-Pakistan Historic Face-Off: War Minus the Shooting

Head-to-head stats between India and Pakistan in T20 World Cup are 5-1, with India winning five matches and Pakistan winning one. Until now, India and Pakistan have faced each other six times in the T20 World Cup. The 2007 match between India and Pakistan ended in a tie. So far the top rival of India in cricket history is Pakistan.

IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2007

T20 World Cup 2007 ended with India defeating Pakistan. That was South Africa's first time hosting the T20 World Cup. The Indian team won under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Having won the toss, India chose to bat first. In 20 overs, India scored 157 runs. Due to poor chasing, Pakistan was unable to win the 2007 T20 World Cup.

IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2012

The Indian team won the T20 World Cup 2012 by chasing 129 runs with only two wickets lost. While Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat, they were unable to defeat India in the T20 World Cup 2012 as well. India's third World Cup victory over Pakistan, and the T20 World Cup 2012 was held in Sri Lanka.

IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2014

T20 World Cup 2014 was won by India by 7 wickets over Pakistan. Bangladesh hosted the T20 

World Cup 2014. Having won the toss, India decided to bowl first. In 20 overs, Pakistan scored 130 runs, which India chased down with seven wickets remaining. Indian pacer Mohammad Shami made his debut in this game and picked up the wickets of the highest contributors.

IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2016

Against Pakistan, India won the toss and took 10 wickets. In 18 overs, Pakistan scored 118 runs. Umar Akmal, who scored 22 runs for 16, and Shoaib Malik, who scored 26 runs for 16, were prominent Pakistani played in UAE. India won the game.

IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2021

In the T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan defeated India. First IND vs PAK match won by Pakistan. India won the toss and scored 151 runs in 20 overs while losing three wickets. Pakistan chased down the target without losing a wicket. The partnership of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan made the win possible for Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2021.

IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2022

Virat Kohli single-handedly powered India to an epic four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan with a magnificent 53-ball 82 not out in their big-ticket T20 World Cup game this year.  Pakistan recovered from a wobbly start to post a fighting 159 for eight. R Ashwin hitting the ball in the infield set off an enthusiastic celebration as the Indian player overpowered Kohli.

War Minus the Shooting

Cricket has always triggered jingoism in India. Though lovers of the sport might be familiar with the Orwellian phrase “war minus the shooting”. Skirmishes happen across the border all the time with both countries stopping just short of an all-out war.

Despite the changing nuances of the India–Pakistan relationship, a big game between the two nations always brings an edge and pressure.

"Fans at the stadium play a massive role, especially at the MCG where 90,000 fans sang the national anthem in unison the other day. Robin Uthappa, who was part of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup in South Africa, says it lifts us and motivates us. It makes you want to perform even more. Goosebumps are given when you hear the crowd cheering for you. When a player feels down and hears his name being chanted, it can change his perspective."

India and Pakistan's cricket boards want to play each other as much as possible. This is undoubtedly the most valuable asset in cricket today.  “Allegiances to domestic T20 teams have become temporary and contingent as teams congregate and dissolve every season,” says Haigh. “Jingoism is more prevalent on the board.” In this modern version of what Orwell called war without shooting, India and Pakistan have been unable to repair cricket relations because of foreign policy through sports.