India vs Pakistan: A look at previous World T20 contests between the arch-rivals

India and Pakistan will play each other in Kolkata on Saturday.

India and Pakistan matches are always the most sort after matches in every aspect. But when it comes down to an ICC event, the excitement and thrill have no boundaries. Moreover, Pakistan have never won an ICC World Cup match against India. 

Who is saying what about the epic battle

It was in inaugural World T20 2007 when the two teams met each other for the first time in the shortest format in an ICC event at Durban. The two neighbours were caste in the same group and the spectators and fans couldn’t have had a better clash to witness. India batted first and scored 141 runs in their allotted 20 overs.

Pakistan were expected to chase down the target but regular fall of wickets prevented them from chasing this target. Moreover, Sreesanth was able to defend one run in the last two balls of Pakistan’s innings which meant the match ended in a tie and would be decided by a bowl out. Later, Robin Uthappa, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag were able to disturb the wood work while none of the Pakistan bowlers were able to repeat the same. India won the match 3-0 in a bowl out situation.

The cricketing world couldn’t have asked for a better ending of the inaugural World T20. It was India against Pakistan Johannesburg. India were again batting first and this time Indian team rode on Gautam Gambhir’s fascinating half century as the Indian opener scored 75 runs to achieve a decent total of 157 runs. Chasing this total, Pakistan batsmen started to tumble and were reduced to 77 for 6. A convincing victory was awaiting India but Misbah-ul-Haq had different plans. He built up some important partnerships with the lower order batsmen and took the game into the last over.

Joginder Sharma had the ball in his hand. Pakistan required 13 runs from this and they scored six runs in first three balls. But what happened next wasn’t much expected. Misbah gave an easy catch to SreeSanth who was standing at short fine leg to make India win the first ever World T20.