Pakistan recorded their only win in World Cups over India in 2021 T20 World Cup,
India and Pakistan had clashed in a group stage game in Dubai of the 2021 T20 World Cup, with Pakistan being winless in 12 previous meetings in World Cups till that game. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Shaheen Afridi rattled the Indian openers and restricted them to 151 runs, with Virat Kohli scoring a fifty and Rishabh Pant making 39 runs.
In response, Pakistan didn’t break a sweat, with Mohammad Rizwan (79*) and Babar Azam (68*) leading them to the win by 10 wickets in 17.5 overs. This was the first time Pakistan had defeated India in a World Cup game, though India remains unbeaten in the ICC ODI World Cups.
Pakistan went on to qualify for the semi-final of that T20 World Cup and lost to eventual title winners Australia.
“Beating India means a lot to me. 2022 (2021), when we beat India in T20I. For me, it was one of the best (memories). First time, as a Pakistan captain, I defeated India in the World Cup,” Babar told Kevin Pietersen on the English great’s YouTube show The Switch.
Responding to Babar’s emotional reflection, Pietersen called India vs. Pakistan the greatest rivalry in sport.
“I have always said, it’s the biggest sporting event in the world. There is nothing bigger. They talk about the football World Cup final. I wish I could have played in the game. I played the Ashes. I was lucky. I wish I would have been part of an India vs. Pakistan game,” Pietersen said.
Babar concurred: “India vs. Pakistan is next level. It’s massive.”
Additionally, Babar singled out the 2018-19 tour of South Africa as a watershed point in his career, he says, since the half-centuries he scored against a world-class pace attack gave him confidence that he belonged at the highest level.
Babar hit 71 in the first Test in Centurion, followed by 72 in Cape Town, and added 49 in Johannesburg. Although Pakistan lost the series 0–3, Babar’s resilience in testing conditions stood out.
Babar Azam also highlighted his century for Pakistan against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2019. His unbeaten ton helped Pakistan successfully chase down the total set by South Africa. He scored 474 runs in the tournament, becoming the first Pakistani batter to score over 400 runs in a single World Cup.
“In my opinion, the first time I went to South Africa. That series changed my mindset. They had one of the best bowling lineups. Dale Steyn, KG. Against Steyn, in that first innings, I scored 70-odd runs. In the second match, I scored 40-odd runs. That tour changed my mindset. Because, then, I realized I can do it at the highest level. An innings, if I have to say, the 2019 World Cup against New Zealand. That innings was one of the best,” Babar added.
Babar said his biggest goal is to help Pakistan end its long wait for an ICC title.
“I want to win an ICC trophy. We were in the finals, but we lost. That’s why I am working hard on my fitness and skills. I am trying to be fitter. Now, my body is acting differently, but I am still sharp,” he said.