Pakistan's iconic 10-wicket victory against India in T20 World Cup 2021 (Source: @AHindinews/x.com)
Cricket has seen fierce rivalries, but few come with the weight of geopolitics, making India-Pakistan clashes truly unmatched. Whenever the neighbors take the center stage, the 22 yards turn into a battlefield, as this is drama, tension, and fireworks served with a side of national pride.
The world saw the first instance of the India-Pakistan rivalry in 1952 in the longest format, but the shortest format faced the heat much later. For years, Pakistan couldn’t taste victory against their arch-rivals on the T20 World Cup stage, remaining winless despite multiple clashes. That streak finally ended in 2021 when Pakistan stunned India to register their first-ever win in the marquee tournament.
Pakistan end decade-long curse against India in 2021
When India and Pakistan were divided in 1947, it wasn’t just two nations that were born; two fierce rivalries also took shape, eventually spilling onto the cricket field. Later on, the 50-over format faced the heat, but the shortest format faced the spark years later, until the T20 World Cup arrived in 2007.
After the tournament commenced, the arch-rivals clashed for the first time, but the match ended on a tie. After that, Team India maintained a tight grip, while the Men in Green struggled to claim their first victory against their fiercest rivals. Fans witnessed some of the edge-of-the-seat contest, but Pakistan remained heartbroken.
Years passed, chapters turned, players came and went but the struggle became harder for the Men in Green. When the world wondered if the rivalry still mattered, Pakistan proved that cricket always has surprises. In 2021, they finally broke the long-standing jinx, claiming their first-ever victory against India.
Shaheen Afridi sparks hope as Pakistan dream big
After the COVID outbreak, the world returned to normal, and fans were treated to a thrilling 2021 T20 World Cup. In the 16th match of the tournament, the world witnessed another edition of the India-Pakistan face-off. While the world expected another Indian win, the Men in Green flipped the script and stunned everyone.
Pakistan got off to a blazing start as Shaheen Afridi struck early, removing Rohit Sharma in the very first over. The early blow put pressure on the Men in Blue, but another setback was waiting for them. Returning to the action in the third over, he cleaned up KL Rahul, leaving India reeling and the arch-rivals on the back foot.
After losing those early wickets, Team India needed a massive boost, and Virat Kohli stepped into the field. Tackling a lethal Pakistani bowling attack, King Kohli tried to anchor the innings and smashed a crucial 45-ball fifty.
But Pakistan sealed the momentum in the 19th over. When Afridi came to bowl the over, he dismissed Kohli in the fourth delivery of the over. His fiery spell of 3/31 left India shaken and restricted to a modest 151.
Babar and Rizwan seal history as India endure a night to forget
After the early assault, Team India already been shattered, but fate had an even more cruel turn. As captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan walked into bat, Indian bowlers eyed domination, but the duo turned the script with sheer brilliance.
Taking the charge, the duo seemed unstoppable from the beginning as the Men in Blue faced the heat. The atmosphere was already spiced up, and the Pakistani batters’ domination added more drama to it.
Guiding the side towards a great victory, Babar Azam smashed a 40-ball fifty, and Rizwan followed the way with a 41-ball fifty. In front of their assault, the Indian bowlers looked helpless as they failed to secure even a single wicket.
As Rizwan remained unbeaten on 79 runs and Babar Azam delivered an unbeaten 68, Pakistan chased down the total within the 18th over and registered a massive 10-wicket victory. It wasn’t just a victory; it was history, as Pakistan finally defeated India for the first time in T20 World Cup history.
