New Delhi: Whenever India and Pakistan come face to face on cricketing field, the fixture does not simply be a mere fixture. And when the arch-foes lock horns at one of the biggest ICC stage - the T20
World Cup, the size of the game becomes three fold.
The encounter between the neighbours in highlighted in bold in the annual cricketing calendar and with not many moments available to witness the clash of the traditional rivals in an year, every single second is cherished. The build-up to the India-Pakistan battle this year was no different but it remained engulfed with controversies.
After weeks of off-field drama, boycott threats, unexpected chaos, cricket's biggest stage is set to host the India-Pakistan battles. The Men in Blue and the Men in Green will face-off in the T20 World Cup 2026 match in Colombo on Sunday and the moment will be fully charged with emotions, history and hopes from billions of fans.
For all the fans across the globe, the clash is definitely more than a normal battle and when a cricket game becomes far more that scoring runs and taking wickets, it becomes more than a match, a unique spectacle.
Cricket's biggest emotional rivalry
The India-Pakistan battle is undoubtedly the biggest rivalry in cricketing history. Born with political tensions at the backyard and the off-field wars over the last few decades, the conflict translated on to the cricketing field, becoming massive than the off-field tug between the two nations.
The political relations between the two nations have shaped the cricketing history between the two teams and the scarcity of their meet-ups make every match monumental. In addition, the game captures global attention and stirs deep emotions in fans, with feeling not restricted to just the field. With nationalism and patriotism coming into play, the game becomes gigantic.
Action after off-field theatrics
Finally after three long weeks of the off-field theatrics, threats to boycott the game, and countless debates surrounding the two nations, the focus now shifts to cricket. Perhaps the largest commercial spectacle, the India vs Pakistan battle will involve high drama and much higher stakes with full-equipped teams on both the sides.
When Pakistan tries to threaten India with their handful of batters and spin attack, India have the all-round power to push them against the wall. The PCB tried its best to polarise the global cricket ecosystem but could not succeed a day full of thrilling action awaiting scores of fans.
No-Handshake policy hurts Pakistan
It was the Pahalgham terror attack back in April 2025 that changed the scenario between the two nations and further strained the already-strained relations between their cricketing teams. Asia Cup last year was scheduled after after the ghastly attack and with emotions being strongly against a nation harbouring terrorism, India declined the customary handshake at the toss.
Furthermore, India also declined to receive the Asia Cup trophy after winning from the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistan is still nursing that grudge. It will interesting to see at the toss whether India continue the no-handshake policy or either of the side comes forward to shake hands.
India's enviable record
The enviable record of the Men in Blue in T20 spectacle history adds up to the points which make the India vs Pakistan battle more than a match. In T20 World Cups since 2007, India enjoy a dominant record 0f seven wins against Pakistan and the neighbours have just been lucky on one occasion in a total of eight meetings. India's aim would be to extend their dominance over Pakistan in the global ICC event while Pakistan's quest would be to notch up their second victory.
