By KHURRAM SHEHZAD AWAN:
The rivalry between Pakistan and India has always been the highlight of the Asia Cup, drawing massive global attention every time the two sides meet. Since the tournament’s inception in 1984, both teams have produced memorable contests that remain etched in cricket history.
Head-to-Head Record
Pakistan and India have faced each other 17 times in the Asia Cup across both ODIs and T20Is. India leads the head-to-head battle with 10 wins, while Pakistan has claimed victory on six occasions, with one match ending without result.
- ODIs: India 7, Pakistan 5
- T20Is: India 3, Pakistan 1
Historic Matches
- 1984 (Sharjah): India defeated Pakistan by 54 runs in the very first edition.
- 1995 (Sharjah): Pakistan secured a famous win with Inzamam-ul-Haq playing a decisive role.
- 2010 (Dambulla): India chased down Pakistan’s strong total in a high-pressure thriller.
- 2014 (Dhaka): Shahid Afridi hit two sixes in the final over to give Pakistan a dramatic one-wicket win.
- 2018 (Dubai): India recorded back-to-back victories, including a commanding nine-wicket win.
- 2022 (Dubai, T20): Pakistan triumphed in the Super Four stage, with Mohammad Rizwan anchoring the chase.
Star Performers
- Virat Kohli’s 183 in 2012 remains the highest individual score in Asia Cup history.
- For Pakistan, Shoaib Malik has been a consistent run-scorer in Indo-Pak encounters.
- On the bowling front, Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal and Shoaib Akhtar have produced match-winning spells, while India’s Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja have also left their mark.
The Significance
The numbers may favor India, but history shows that Pakistan has often risen to the occasion in crunch moments. Beyond statistics, the clash symbolizes the intensity and passion of cricket in South Asia. With the Asia Cup 2025 on the horizon, fans are once again waiting eagerly for what promises to be another chapter in one of cricket’s greatest rivalries.
