It started in 1992, when Pakistan faced India for the first time in World Cup, an ICC mega event. Although the Cricket rivalry had started in 1952 and Pakistan had beaten India many times in Sharjah and bilateral series in India but luck was not on Pakistan’s side in World Cup.
Pakistan went on to win the World Cup but lost to India in 19992 World Cup. It was followed by a Quarterfinal clash in 1996 in India when Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail gave Pakistan a flying but Aamir Sohail got carried away and lost his wicket while trying to humiliate Indian bowler Venkatesh Prasad. Batsmen after him could not do much and Pakistan lost to India infront of a jam packed stadium in Bangalore.
Pakistan were unable to chase 228 runs target against India in in Manchester in 1999 World Cup and in 2003 a master class from Sachin Tendulkar helped India chase 274 runs target against Pakistan in Centurion. Mohali in 2011 and Adelaide in 2015 were fifth and sixth defeat respectively for Pakistan.
The pressure of losses in ODI World Cup has always affected Pakistan in World T20 as well. In inaugural edition of 2007 Pakistan and India were in same group and Pakistan needed only 1 run off 2 balls. But the match was tied and India won it in bowl-out.
In final Pakistan and India met again. Pakistan were chasing a target of 158 and needed 54 runs from 24 balls but Misbah-ul-Haq brought Pakistan back. At the end they needed only 6 runs from 4 balls but Misbah was caught while going for a scoop shot. That was probably the most painful defeat for Pakistan as they were only one shot away from winning the mega event.
In 2012 and 2014 World T20 events Pakistani players were simply outclasses by India as the pressure was visible. But this time the pressure might be on Indians who have already lost a game in the competition and cannot afford to allow Pakistan end this winning streak on India’s soil.
Eden Gardens Stadium has been lucky for Pakistan in the past and Pakistan has won all four clashes against India in limited overs matches in Kolkata. Indians have been taunting Pakistanis with Mauka Mauka advertisement but this time they were trolled by the Kashmiri supporters after losing to New Zealand. So Pakistanis would be ready to troll Indians with Mauka Mauka Dubsmash if they win.
Kasmiris have promised to reach the ground in big numbers and would be looking to support Pakistan in the match. Indian batsmen will be under pressure after getting bowled out for 79 against New Zealand and situation will get worse for them when they will face Muhammad Aamir’s swing, Muhammad Irfan’s bouncers and Wahab Riaz’s Yorkers.
On the top of that Shahid Afridi would be eager to change the history as he has played 8 matches against India in World Cup and World T20. This could be his last tournament and he would surely want to end career with one win against India.
