India vs Pakistan in T20 World Cup: A Rivalry for the Ages
The Beginning: 2007
The India vs Pakistan rivalry in the T20 World Cup began with a bang in 2007 , the inaugural year of the much celebrated tournament. The group stage match ended in a thrilling tie, which led to the first ever bowl out in the history of T20, which India easily won 3-0. This was just the trailer for the blockbuster final, where India under the leadership of Captain Cool M S Dhoni who was leading this squad for the very first time as the captain of the ship, clinched the title after defeating Pakistan by five runs. Misbah- ul- Haq’s heart wrenching scoop shot to Joginder Sharma’s bowl caught by Sreesanth remains etched in cricketing folklore.
The 2012 Slowdown
In the 2012 T20 World cup hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan met again in the Super 8s. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 78 led India to a comfortable and easy eight wicket victory. India’s supremacy in the T20 World Cup was undeniable and Pakistan struggled to break the jinx.
The 2014 Clash
The 2014 T20 World Cup hosted by Bangladesh experienced another group stage encounter where India, catalyzed by Amit Mishra’s bowling magic, restricted Pakistan to a low total. India chased down the target in a blink, continuing their unbeaten streak against Pakistan in T20 World Cups.
The 2016 Thriller
India was hosting the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata added another chapter to this historic rivalry. The game got shortened to 18 overs per side due to rain showers. Pakistan managed to post a competitive score, but Virat Kohli’s brilliant 55 not out led India to a six wicket win. This match further crystalized Kohli’s reputation as a chase master.
The 2021 Upset
The 2021 T20 World Cup hosted by UAE was the first World Cup tournament after COVID 19 pandemic. And this time Pakistan finally broke their World Cup jinx against India. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan chased down India’s total with ease, securing a historic 10 wickets victory. This win was a for sure moral booster for Pakistan and showcased their potential in the shortest format of the game.
The Upcoming Encounter of 2024
As both the arch rivals are all set to face each other on June 9, in the 2024 T20 World Cup co hosted by U.S. and West Indies. Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating another classic match. However, the current form of both the teams paints a contrasting picture.
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Expert Predictions
Cricket analysts and experts predict that India holds the upper hand in this encounter. Team India’s balanced squad, experience in high pressure situations and recent form give them the advantage of being called a stronger team. However, the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket means that nobody can write off Pakistan entirely. A single brilliant performance or moment of magic can change the direction of wind for this match. Still Indian holds the win probability of 67% leaving Pakistan at 33%.
The India vs Pakistan first encounter in the 2024 T20 World Cup promises to be a nail biting finish, filled with excitement and full on drama. While India’s current form makes them the favorites, Pakistan’s potential to cause an upset adds the element of unpredictability. Cricket fans not just from India and Pakistan but around the globe will stick to their stadium seats or will be glued to their screens, praying and cheering for their team to emerge victorious and add another memorable chapter to this historic rivalry.
