World Cup T20: India humbled Pakistan again
What was once hailed as the “Mother of All Battles” has become alarmingly one-sided. Throughout the 1980s, 1990s and even the early 2000s, the India-Pakistan clash guaranteed drama and high tension. Today, expectation is often replaced by resignation. Every tournament brings renewed hope from Pakistan’s media and former players, only for India to regain control.Pakistan’s only World T20 triumph over India came in Dubai 2021, a crushing 10-wicket victory. But since then, they have not beaten India in any format or tournament. India’s victories in 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024 and 2026 underscore the widening gulf in quality.The emotional loss was evident as former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis reacted in the air. As Pommie Mbangwa noted: “India’s dominance would undoubtedly be uncomfortable for Pakistan. 11th straight win in ICC Men’s T20 World Cups,” Waqar chimed in: “Okay! Enough. Leave it there. We’ve had enough. I’d say India have been too good in the last 15-20 years.”Waqar endured this story personally. He was the head coach when Virat Kohli produced a sublime half-century at the Eden Gardens in 2016 to guide India home. He also featured as a player in Pakistan’s World Cup defeats to India in 1996 at Bengaluru and 2003 at Centurion. Few have witnessed the painful tilt of the rivalry as closely as he has.