The last time that India and Pakistan faced off against each other competitively in Men’s international cricket was during the ICC T20 World Cup in 2021, which was moved from India to the Middle East because of Covid-19 and prevailing travel restrictions.
Drawn together in Group Two, their match took place on 24 October in Dubai. It was the 200th international match between the two countries.
Pakistan won the toss, chose to field, and enjoyed early success with ball. Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul both returned to the pavilion inside 13 balls. Suryakumar Yadav made 11, but it was left to Rishabh Pant, with a typically aggressive 30-ball 39, including two sixes, to inject some momentum into the innings.
However, after his departure in the 13th over, India failed to build on his efforts. Although Ravindra Jadeja made 13 and Hardik Pandya 11, India could only manage 151/7. Shaheen Afridi took 3-31 for Pakistan and Hasan Ali 2- 44.
The Pakistan reply was emphatic and decisive, as Mohammed Rizwan and captain Babar Azam shared an unbroken stand of 152 at almost identical strike rates. The Indian bowlers just had no answer. Rizwan, who faced 55 balls, scored 79, including three sixes and four fours, while Babar made 68 off 52 balls, with two sixes and six fours to his credit.
Their combined efforts helped Pakistan reach their target with 13 balls still to be bowled. Afridi was named Player of the Match.
Not only was this the first time in 13 attempts that Pakistan had beaten India in a World Cup match – ODI or T20I – it was also the first time that India had lost a T20I match by 10 wickets against any side.
India, who went to the Middle East as one of the tournament favourites, failed to progress out of the Super 12 Group Stage. Pakistan qualified having topped Group 2, but lost to the eventual winners Australia in the semi-finals.