India vs Pakistan, an age-old cricket rivalry, has taken on a whole new dimension in T20 World Cups. From 2007, when the first edition tournament was played, to Sunday when a thrilling run chase at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) saw India come victorious, cricket fans have been witness to several tasty contests between the two neighbours.
Both India and Pakistan have been excellent competitors in T20 World Cup. India won the 2007 tournament by defeating Pakistan in the final, while Pakistan won it in 2009 by defeating Sri Lanka in the finals. Both teams have since failed to win the tournament and will place a strong bid in the ongoing edition down under.
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With the memory of the Group 2 match between the two teams still fresh, here’s a look at the five most memorable T20 World Cup meetings between India and Pakistan.
2021: Pakistan beat India for the first time in T20 World Cup
Pakistan and India met in the Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai. The tournament was originally scheduled for 2020 but it got postponed due to Covid 19. The match ended with Pakistan putting up a successful run-chase without losing a single wicket. Openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan put up a partnership of 152 runs
2007: India beats Pakistan in the final to win the T20 World Cup
The 2007 T20 World Cup, held in South Africa in 2007, saw India winning their first major World Cup title since Kapil Dev and co. won the World Cup in 1983. Led by MS Dhoni, India faced Pakistan in the final of the tournament. Pakistan faced a target of 157 in the match but were routed for 152 after India’s bowling attack put up a spectacular performance.
2007: India Pakistan match tied, ends with a super-over India win
The many histories associated with India vs Pakistan cricketing rivalry also include the first-ever T20 World Cup tiebreaker. The 2007 Group stage meeting between the two sides ended in a tie after Pakistan levelled India’s 142 in the final over with two balls to spare but thanks to a brilliant throw by Yuvraj Singh, Misbah Ul Haq was run out leading to the match being tied. It ended with India winning the match in super over.
2022: India vs Pakistan at MCG, Virat Kohli’s best T20I innings
The latest meeting between the two sides at the 2022 T20 World Cup ended with India winning by four wickets successfully chasing down a total of 159 set by Pakistan. The match will stay in the hearts of cricketing fans for being Virat Kohli’s best T20I innings. The former India captain came back from a clumsy form for most of 2022 and scored a 53-ball 83 to steer India to victory.
