Kamal Ghorui
India and Pakistan have faced each other eight times in ICC T20 World Cup history. While the head-to-head record stands at 7-1 in India’s favour, the contests have often been close. From their two meetings in the 2007 edition, including the final, to the 2024 clash in New York, the rivalry has rarely followed a one-sided script.The pattern has continued in the 2020s. India have won two of the three T20 World Cup meetings this decade, with Pakistan winning once. Yet each match has been defined by decisive passages rather than clear dominance.
As India and Pakistan get ready for yet another encounter on Sunday, here’s a look at the matches between both sides in T20 World Cups in this decade:
2021, Group Stage, Dubai – Pakistan win by 10 wickets
After years of near misses, Pakistan broke through in a World Cup fixture. The 10-wicket win in Dubai was set up by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who removed India’s top order early. Six years after their previous T20 World Cup meeting, Pakistan responded firmly — 151 was not enough on a Dubai pitch where chasing was the preferred route.Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan completed the chase without losing a wicket, finishing the game with control and without appearing under pressure.For India, it marked their most disappointing ICC campaign since the 2007 ODI World Cup, and the loss to Pakistan defined that tournament.
2022, Group Stage, Melbourne – India win by 4 wickets
The 2022 contest in Melbourne produced a finish remembered for key moments. Pakistan scored 159, a total that did not appear beyond reach. However, India were reduced to 31/4 and were staring at consecutive defeats.Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya rebuilt the innings steadily, keeping the target within sight. When India needed 48 from the last three overs, the situation looked difficult. Then came the over from Haris Rauf. Kohli struck a straight six that changed the mood of the game, prompting Harsha Bhogle’s call: “Kohli goes down the ground, Kohli goes out of the ground.”The final over brought further twists — no-balls, wickets, run-outs and wides — before Ravichandran Ashwin lifted the winning run over cover to seal the result.
2024, Group Stage, New York – India win by 6 runs
In New York, the teams played a low-scoring contest that later proved important in India’s run to the title. By then, the venue had gained a reputation as a difficult ground for batting, making India’s 119 all out close to a competitive total.Defending the score required disciplined bowling, and Jasprit Bumrah delivered. He finished with 3/14 from four overs, including the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan with an off-cutter that moved sharply. As the final overs approached, India held their nerve to defend the total by six runs.The victory extended India’s record over Pakistan to 7-1 and came on their way to lifting their first ICC trophy in 11 years.
