(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan vs India: When Cricket Becomes More Than a Game
Whenever Pakistan faces India on the cricket field, the atmosphere transforms into something far greater than sport. Streets grow quiet, shops pull down their shutters, and families gather around televisions as if it were a national holiday. Inside the stadium, the ground itself seems to shake under the chants of passionate supporters. It’s not just a cricket match—it’s a storm of nerves, pride, and unforgettable moments.
This historic rivalry has produced legendary tales passed down from one generation to the next.
In 1986, Javed Miandad’s last-ball six in Sharjah was more than a winning shot—it became a cherished national memory. In the 1999 Chennai Test, Sachin Tendulkar’s heroic 136 almost sealed victory for India, but Pakistan triumphed by just 12 runs. Later that year in Kolkata, Shoaib Akhtar’s fiery spell dismissed Tendulkar for a golden duck, stunning a crowd of over 100,000.
The early 2000s brought more iconic moments: Sachin’s upper-cut off Shoaib in the 2003 World Cup, Sehwag’s triple century in Multan (2004), and Inzamam’s double ton that guided Pakistan to victory in Bangalore (2005).
The drama continued in white-ball cricket. The 2007 T20 World Cup final ended in heartbreak for Pakistan after Misbah-ul-Haq’s scoop went wrong, handing India the trophy. But in the 2014 Asia Cup, Shahid Afridi turned the tables with two towering sixes off Ashwin to clinch a thrilling win for Pakistan.
One of the greatest chapters came in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, when Fakhar Zaman’s century, Mohammad Amir’s fiery spell, Shadab’s crucial review, and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s steady leadership delivered Pakistan a stunning 180-run victory. And in Dubai 2021, Shaheen Afridi’s early breakthroughs and the unbeaten opening partnership of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan secured Pakistan’s first-ever World Cup win over India—by 10 wickets.
These matches have gone beyond cricket—they are moments of collective memory. In Lahore and Karachi, Delhi and Mumbai, giant screens turn streets into stadiums. Markets close early, weddings are postponed, and friendships are put on hold for a few hours. The passion is unmatched, and the celebrations unforgettable.
Sadly, political tensions have made these encounters rare. Fans now wait for ICC tournaments or Asia Cup clashes to see their teams face off. Yet the memories of Afridi’s sixes, Tendulkar’s brilliance, Amir’s fire, and Kohli’s class keep the rivalry alive.
Because when Pakistan and India meet, the world truly pauses. It’s more than just cricket—it’s history, emotion, and a rivalry that will never fade.
