India vs Pakistan at the T20 World Cup is one of cricket’s most electric fixtures. Both teams have played each other in T20 international cups 8 times in 17 years as of mid-June 2024. Every IND v PAK match always gets a star performance from one top cricketer. The last meeting on June 8, 2024 saw Jasprit Bumrah steal the show as India rallied to a convincing victory over Pakistan.
Virat Kohli currently has the most Player of the Match (POTM) awards in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup matches with three recognitions so far. Let’s explore the list of players who have won Player of the Match awards in India v Pakistan T20 World Cup games since 2007.
Mohammad Asif at the T20 World Cup 2007
Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif put in a remarkable outing against India at the T20 World Cup 2007. Asif snatched four wickets throughout this encounter to crown an exciting bowling spell for the Men in Green. He conceded just 18 runs throughout four overs and sent off many talented Team India batters in an electric performance.
Asif dismissed Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik, and Virender Sehwag in the encounter.
Irfan Pathan at the T20 World Cup 2007
Mohammad Asif couldn’t replicate his performance from the group stages as India snatched the final from Pakistan. Pathan secured three (3) essential wickets as India secured their first-ever T20 WC title. The skilled bowler got the scalps of top Pakistani batsmen Yasir Arafat, Shahid Afridi, and Shoaib Malik.
Pathan made 3 for 16 in four overs and delivered one of Team India’s top performances in the final. The bowler’s performance gained more traction as India got a major title over their arch-rivals in a hotly-contested final.
Virat Kohli at the T20 World Cup 2012
India vs Pakistan at the T20 World Cup 2012 group stages guaranteed another exciting experience for cricket fans worldwide. Both teams sought to continue their sports rivalry after political differences heated up in the late 2000s.
India easily bowled out their rivals for 128 and chased the set target easily to secure the game with 8 wickets.
Fans were left stunned by Virat Kohli’s bowling skills in this match as the talented cricketer got a wicket from his performance. He also got an unmatched 78 runs in the game from 61 balls. Kohli secured an impressive outing overall with two 6s and eight 4s
Amit Mishra at the T20 World Cup 2014
The T20 World Cup 2024 saw India lock horns with Pakistan in Mirpur for maximum points. Their group stage meet saw India continue their impressive winning streak in T20 competition against Pakistan.
India secured a 7-wicket win after a fantastic performance marshalled by top players like Amit Mishra. The spin bowler got 2 scalps and conceded 22 runs across four overs. Mishra got the scalps of Shoaib Malik and Ahmed Shehzad throughout this encounter, decimating Pakistan’s toughest batters with ease.
Virat Kohli at the T20 World Cup 2016
Fans witnessed another exciting cricket spectacle between India v Pakistan at the T20 World Cup 2016. Both teams went toe-to-toe for much of the encounter but India shunned Pakistan’s batting advances to 118 runs.
Spectators at the Eden Gardens were treated to another Virat Kohli masterclass in this encounter. The skilled cricketer did lots of things right as India rallied to a 6-wicket win over their arch-rivals.
Kohli’s batting prowess was on display as the Men in Blue came back from a tight spell to secure victory. India was 23 for 3 at some point in the game while chasing 119 runs in 18 overs. Kohli managed to bring out the best in his batting arsenal to deliver a massive half-century (55 runs) off 37 balls to clinch the win.
Shaheen Afridi at the T20 World Cup 2021
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi broke India’s T20 World Cup domination over the Men in Green in stellar fashion. The skilled youngster shattered Team India’s plans at the 2021 tournament with superb bowling plays throughout. Afridi came out firing on all cylinders, dismissing star batsmen like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul without breaking a sweat.
Afridi will manage a 3 for 31 across four overs and got the better of Virat Kohli later on in the game.
Virat Kohli at the T20 World Cup 2022
India’s Virat Kohli resumed his rout of Pakistan at T20 World Cups in 2022. The talented cricketer managed to secure an unbeaten 82 from 53 balls as India beat the 160 runs target set by Pakistan. Kohli smashed four 6s and six 4s as his knocks broke Pakistan fans’ hearts once again.
Jasprit Bumrah at the T20 World Cup 2024
Bumrah dismissed key players in Pakistan’s batting line-up to hand India a slender 6-run victory. The talented bowler made up for lacklustre performances from star players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on the crease. Fans were treated to an exciting spectacle as he managed a 2 for 14 performance in 4 overs for India.
