Ladies and gentlemen, the highly anticipated day has finally arrived. The day you’ve all been waiting for. The day when the entire nation promises to come to a standstill. A day that commands the attention and fervor of an entire nation, and one that will undoubtedly be etched in the memories of those who bear witness. This momentous occasion has been long-awaited since the unveiling of the Cricket World Cup schedule. It is the ultimate clash, the epic showdown for which hotel prices and flight tickets have soared to unprecedented heights. A spectacle that has driven some to secure hospital beds, just in case. It is the grand spectacle of all grand spectacles – the INDIA VS PAKISTAN match at the WORLD CUP 2023! In the realm of cricketing battles, nothing, and we emphasize, absolutely nothing, comes remotely close to this encounter.
To draw parallels with other global sporting events like The Ashes, the Super Bowl, or WrestleMania would be an exercise in futility, for this rivalry dwarfs them all. Four years since their last face-off in a 50-over World Cup, the stage is set for India and Pakistan to rekindle their cricketing rivalry on the grandest of stages. Potentially, in front of a colossal audience of 130,000 spectators at the world’s largest cricket venue, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Goosebumps and spine-tingling moments are all but guaranteed, commencing with the playing of the National Anthems and lasting until the final delivery is bowled.
Adding to the spectacle is the infusion of glamour. In cricket, nothing rivals the game, unless it’s an India vs. Pakistan showdown. This was evident in the Asia Cup last month, where a dedicated day was allocated for this encounter. Now, in the World Cup, an event devoid of an opening ceremony, the razzmatazz of Bollywood is set to make its presence known, with artists like Shankar Mahadevan, Arijit Singh, and more gracing the grandest of stages.
Now, for a trip down memory lane. The India-Pakistan World Cup rivalry is adorned with unforgettable moments. There’s Ajay Jadeja’s assault on Waqar Younis in the 1996 quarterfinal, Javed Miandad’s memorable showdown with Kiran More, Sachin Tendulkar’s extraordinary innings in the 2011 semifinal, and India’s triumph over Pakistan in a nail-biting thriller. However, one statistic eclipses them all: India’s undefeated streak against Pakistan in the World Cup since 1992. Whenever the World Cup approaches, the question looms: Can Pakistan end India’s unblemished record? But the outcome remains unchanged for 31 long years. This enduring rivalry even spawned the iconic ‘Mauka-Mauka’ ad campaign, but India’s winning streak persisted through Sydney, Bengaluru, Manchester, Centurion, Mohali, and Adelaide. Two years ago, Babar Azam broke the spell in T20Is, and he now seeks an encore.
As we build towards today’s blockbuster, a plethora of individual battles await. Shaheen Afridi vs. Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah vs. Babar Azam, Kuldeep Yadav against Mohammad Rizwan – the list is extensive. The contest reignites the Kohli vs. Babar debate. To date, there has been only one victor in this battle during India-Pakistan encounters – Kohli, who has accumulated 523 runs from 9 innings, in contrast to Babar’s 204 from eight. An imposing gap. But if there ever was a moment for a reversal of fortunes, it is today.
For all the accolades Babar Azam has garnered in international cricket, including being the fastest to 5000 runs and one of the longest-reigning No. 1-ranked batters, he has yet to decipher the Indian code. His average against India in 7 ODIs stands at a modest 28. His solitary fifty against India came during the T20 World Cup two years ago, in which Pakistan secured victory by 10 wickets. In contrast, Kohli boasts 662 runs from 15 ODI innings at an average of 55.16, relishing opportunities to dominate Pakistan’s bowlers.
Until last month, India and Pakistan appeared evenly matched, but Naseem Shah’s injury and subsequent withdrawal from the World Cup have significantly altered the landscape. Suddenly, Pakistan’s new-ball attack lacks its customary bite. While Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali are skilled bowlers, they typically operate as first or second-change bowlers. This places added responsibility on the shoulders of Shaheen Afridi, one of the world’s premier opening bowlers with the new ball. This situation could either elevate his performance to new heights or potentially impede his progress, as he conceded 103 runs and claimed only two wickets in the first two games. Nevertheless, the prospect of bowling against India serves as an immense motivation for Shaheen, evident in his promise of a fan’s selfie only after securing a five-wicket haul.
The excitement is palpable as we eagerly anticipate this match, undoubtedly the most highly awaited fixture of this World Cup. It promises to be a spectacle that will leave an indelible mark on the annals of cricketing history.
Key Pointers for the India vs. Pakistan World Cup 2022 match:
- Pakistan has never triumphed over India in a 50-over World Cup, with their winless streak extending back to 1992.
- Pakistan did break India’s unbeaten streak over them in World Cups (combining ODIs and T20Is) during the T20 World Cup in 2021.
- Virat Kohli has accumulated 662 runs from 15 ODIs against Pakistan, boasting an impressive average of 55.16.
- Conversely, Babar Azam has managed just 168 runs in 7 ODIs against India.