As the 2024 T20 World Cup kicks off, the anticipation of a match between India and Pakistan looms large. With no bilateral series between the two cricketing giants in over a decade, their encounters in multi-nation tournaments are highly anticipated. The 2021 T20 World Cup saw Pakistan break their winless streak against India in World Cups, securing a historic 10-wicket victory in Dubai.
The Build-Up to the Historic Win
In the 2021 T20 World Cup, Shaheen Afridi dismantled the Indian top order by claiming the wickets of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and captain Virat Kohli. This left India struggling at 151/7. Pakistan‘s captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan then chased down the target without losing a wicket, with Babar scoring 68 off 52 balls and Rizwan contributing 79 not out off 55 balls.
Recalling the events leading up to this match, Rizwan shared insights into the mindset of the team. “We had never beaten India before that (in a World Cup). Ramiz Raja met us and said, you have to beat India. There was a long time to go for the World Cup when he first came in (as PCB president) but he had started developing this thought in the team from right then,” Rizwan recounted. Raja’s message was clear: “Regardless of whether you win the trophy or not, just don’t lose to India.”
The Significance of the Match
For Rizwan, the 2021 T20 World Cup was his first experience playing in an ICC tournament and facing India. He admitted that he didn’t fully grasp the significance of the match until after the victory. “India vs Pakistan always comes with pressure. People may not watch all matches in a tournament but this is a game everyone sits down to watch, regardless of which country they belong to.”
Rizwan described the overwhelming response from fans back home. “In Pakistan, say I go for shopping somewhere, people won’t take money. Then I stopped going out for shopping because they just weren’t taking money from us, they were all commending us for beating India. Everyone I met was commending us for the win.”
The Impact of the Victory
This landmark victory was more than just a win on the cricket field; it was a moment of immense national pride for Pakistan. The team’s performance against India was not only celebrated by cricket fans but also acknowledged by the broader public, highlighting the deep-seated rivalry and the significant pressure associated with these matches.
As Pakistan begins their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, the memories of 2021 serve as a reminder of their potential to achieve great feats. The upcoming matches, especially against India, will once again draw the eyes of millions, eager to witness another chapter in this storied rivalry.
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