The arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be again locking horns against each other on Sunday (28 August) in the Asia Cup 2022. It will be their first clash after a hiatus of nine months. If talking about the encounters in the T20 format, both teams have faced each other a total of nine times, with India tasting success in seven of them. Here is the list of the top five meetings of India and Pakistan in the shortest format.
5. 1st T20I, 2012 Bilateral series
It was the last bilateral series played between the arch-rivals. The first game of the series took place in M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Invited to bat first, India got off to a great start with the contributions of Gautam Gambhir (43) and Ajinkya Rahane (42). However, the likes of Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal produced a strong fightback for the visitors and restricted India to a total of 133.
In response, Pakistan was off to a dismal start and stuttered at 12/3 at the end of three overs. It took nerves of steel from Mohammad Hafeez (61) and Shoaib Malik (57) to resurrect Pakistan’s innings and help the team to seal the victory. Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished with figures of 3/9 off four overs.
4. T20 World Cup 2021
The 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup witnessed both teams meeting in international cricket after two years. India were the favourite due to their all-around balance, and good enough match practice in pitches of the United Arab Emirates in the IPL.
However, the Indian team were put on to backfoot by the quick wickets of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul by Shaheen Afridi in the first two overs. Kohli (57) emerged as the top scorer to help India post a fighting total of 151. Then, Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan (79) and Babar Azam (68*) were flawless with their innings to easily chase down the score inside 18 overs.
3. Asia Cup 2016
The 2016 edition of the Asia Cup witnessed the game played in a T20 format and serve as a precursor to the T20 World Cup. Opting to field first, India displayed a terrific bowling performance to stun Pakistan and dismiss them for a total of 83. Pandya was the key bowler for the Blues, who took 3/8.
In the second half, India were rocked by the left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, who took the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina in quick succession, and left India struggling at 8/3 in the third over. Kohli yet again came in the line of Pakistan yet again with his well-built composure and extravagant strokeplay. The 68-run stand between Kohli (49) and Yuvraj Singh (14) helped India to seal a victory.
2. T20 World Cup 2007 League stage
This fixture marked the first game between the arch-rivals in the shortest format. The Men in Green invited India to bat first at Durban. In an average batting performance, Robin Uthappa (50) and MS Dhoni (33) aid India to finish on 141, with Mohammad Asif taking four wickets.
Pakistan took had a dismal form with the willow in the first 10 overs. However, the captain Misbah Ul Haq was terrific to find his groove and score 53 off 35. The lusty blows from Yasir Arafat, in the end, resulted in the match ending as a tie. Then, an interesting bowl-out took place, which saw the Indian team securing a victory in a dominating fashion.
1. T20 Word Cup 2007 Final
The inaugural T20 World Cup Final was one of the finest ever matches played in the history of the ICC events. India opted to bat first, and posted a competitive 157 on the board, with the help of Gautam Gambhir (75) and Sharma (30*). Gul was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.
Then, Imran Nazir (33) and Younis Khan (24) threatened the opposition with their partnership. After the dismissals of both these batters, it seemed as if India had full control over the match. However, the prolific Misbah again stood strong for the Pakistan team. Pakistan needed 13 needed off six, while India needed another wicket in the last over.
In the second ball of the over, the Pakistan skipper hit a glorious six over the straight boundary. However, the subsequent ball witnessed him miscuing a scoop, and was holed out to S. Sreesanth in the short fine-leg area, which resulted in India lifting the coveted title.