IND vs PAK: The player with the most Man of the Match awards in T20 WC:

Overview:

The upcoming T20 World Cup is all set to host yet another captivating contest between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, the Asian powerhouses have faced off seven times, with India holding a commanding 6-1 lead over the Green Shirts. While India aims to strengthen their formidable lead over Pakistan, the Men in Green will surely be seeking their shot at redemption this time around.

Let’s dive deeper into the Indo-Pak saga that has unfolded over the past 8 editions of the coveted ICC T20 World Cup. In our walk down memory lane we will try to discover specifically which key players were instrumental in leading India to their triumphant record over their western neighbors.

IND vs PAK: 1st Match, T20 WC,2007:

The renowned Kingsmead Stadium in Durban will go down in the books of history as the iconic venue where the two cricketing super giants from Asia locked horns for their first ever faceoff at the World T20 stage. With both teams in excellent form and boasting formidable lineups, the match was perfectly poised to be a nail-biting encounter.

Batting first, India posted a modest 141 runs with the likes of Robin Uthappa and MS Dhoni being the key contributors during India’s batting spell. At the onset of the second innings, the Pakistan batters did not get off to a good start, with the team’s top order struggling against the inform Indian pace artillery.

Things started appearing hunky dory for India with their bowlers finding early success in implementing the strategy that they had fabricated for vanquishing the Pakistan batting lineup, but then came the historic knock from Misbah-ul-Haq that changed the entire course of the match and put Pakistan back into the driving seat. Misbah went on to smash a mammoth 53 runs off just 35 balls at a staggering strike rate of 151.

Though Pakistan were cruising quite comfortably, with just 12 runs needed off the last over they couldn’t capitalize on their ongoing impetus and fell short of the target by just one run, leading the match to be tied.

Back in 2007, the results of tied T20 matches were decided through the help of Bowl-outs and not via the prevailing Super-over route.

Despite having a formidable and seasoned pace lineup, the Pakistani bowlers failed to deliver under pressure letting India win by a hefty lead of 3-0..

Here is the link to the first ever bowl out in the history of T20 WC:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xoBwYWdCr

This was the tale of India’s first victory over their arch-rivals.

Man of the Match:

Mohammad Asif from Pakistan won the accolade for his captivating spell of 4 wickets while conceding just 18 runs.

IND vs PAK: 2nd Match, Finals, T20 WC,2007:

As fate would have it, both teams advanced to the Finals in the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. With the entire world watching, India and Pakistan were poised for a fierce showdown at the iconic Wanderers Stadium. The stage was set for an epic clash, with both sides charged up to claim the prestigious title.

India won the toss and elected to bat first.

Batting first India scored a decent 157 runs with their premier opener Gautam Gambhir playing an anchoring knock of 75 runs. Complementing Gambhir’s decisive innings, Rohit Sharma turned up on the big stage with a fast-paced knock of 30 runs off just 16 deliveries helping India achieve a defendable total on the testing surface of Johannesburg.

Despite getting off to a great start in the second innings, the Pakistan batters eventually struggled to build substantial partnerships and the team kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

However, the momentum shifted when Misbah-ul-Haq came to the crease. With an incredible knock of 43 runs, which continues to haunt Indian fans to this day, Misbah was on the verge of clinching a memorable victory for the Men in Green.

With 13 runs needed of the last over the Indian captain MSD handed the ball to the right arm pacer- Joginder Sharma.

Despite conceding a wide and a six on the first two deliveries of the final over, Joginder Sharma remained undeterred and dismissed Misbah on the very next delivery, thereby rendering the entire Pakistan team all out and falling 6 runs short of the given target . Joginder’s nonchalance under pressure played a pivotal role in securing India’s historic title as the inaugural champions of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Man of the Match:

Irfan Pathan won the accolade for his captivating spell of 4 wickets while conceding just 18 runs.

The fact that India failed to replicate their triumphant run at the World T20 stage ever since the inaugural edition of the tournament is another intriguing saga.

Here is the link to the Cricwallah classic that delves into the conundrum of  India’s upsetting debacle at the T20 stage: 

https://cricwallah.com/india-never-won-a-single-t20-world-cup-ever-since-ipl-began/

IND vs PAK: 3rd Match,  T20 WC,2012:

After a hiatus of 5 years, the Asian arch-rivals locked horns for the highly anticipated third encounter between  the two at the 4th edition of the coveted tournament that was scheduled in Sri Lanka.

While batting first, the Pakistan lineup crumbled like a deck of cards, leaving the Men in Green with a modest total of 128 runs by the end of their innings.

Unlike the previous two matches, this showdown between the two cricketing powerhouses failed to incite excitement amongst the fans, as the Indian batters dominated, turning the match into a one-sided affair. The then up and coming Indian prodigy Virat Kohli smashed a whopping 78 runs off 61 deliveries leading India to their 3rd consecutive triumph over their western neighbors at the World T20 stage.

Man of the Match:

Virat Kohli earned the Man of the Match title for his blazing knock of 78 runs, which played a pivotal role in maintaining India’s victorious streak against Pakistan. During India’s bowling innings, Kohli’s dismissal of the Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez further bolstered his contention for the prestigious award, making him the obvious choice for the accolade.

IND vs PAK: 4th Match,  T20 WC,2014:

This match like the previous game turned out to be a bland encounter with Indian players outshining the Men in Green in almost all three departments.

Batting first, Pakistan could only manage to reach a meagre 130 runs in their 20 overs, with the Indian mystery spinner Amit Mishra being the key contributor during India’s incredible bowling spell.

The Indian batters expeditiously chased down the humble target, securing a resounding seven-wicket victory over the Green Shirts with nine balls to spare in the match.

This match marked India’s 4th consecutive victory against the Men in Green at the ICC T20 World Cup.

Man of the Match:

Amit Mishra earned the accolade for his stupendous performance, claiming two crucial wickets while conceding just 22 runs during his spell.

IND vs PAK: 5th Match,  T20 WC,2016:

The fifth clash between the Asian giants was a memorable juncture in the history of Indian cricket, as it unfolded at the iconic Eden Gardens, revered as the Mecca of Indian Cricket.

With the initial rain delay the match got truncated to a 18 overs a side encounter. Batting first the Pakistan batters managed to post a decent 118 runs which was apparently a respectable total to defend given Pakistan’s fiery pace attack.

At the onset of the second innings, the Indian batters struggled miserably with the Pakistan bowlers attacking them left right and center. After the initial setback, Pakistan team seemed to be on the cusp of putting an end to India’s unbeaten record against them at the World T20s.

But them came the scintillating knock from the prodigy turned sensation- Virat Kohli. Virat’s pivotal knock started off on a comparatively slower note but once the ball started coming onto the middle of his bat, there was no turning back for the big man. He smashed a match-winning 55 runs off just 37 balls leading India to their 5th straight triumph over Pakistan.

Man of the Match:

Virat Kohli earned the Man of the Match title for his scintillating knock of 55 runs, which played a pivotal role in safeguarding India’s victorious streak against their western neighbors. 

IND vs PAK: 6th Match,  T20 WC,2021:

Indian fans across the globe would spare no expenses to have this match expunged from their cherished memories of India’s commendable streak against the Men in Green at the World T20 stage.

Batting first, the Indian batters suffered a massive setback with the Pakistan bowlers attacking them left, right and center. Despite Virat Kohli’s incredible half-century and Rishabh Pant’s quick fire cameo of 39 runs, India could only muster a modest total of 151 runs on a pitch that seemed conducive to a target well beyond 180.