Eight World Cup meetings later, the numbers and moments point toward one lingering question of dominance

With just a few days remaining for the T20 World Cup to begin, old debates are back on every screen and street corner. India vs PAK always leads the conversation. Not because of rankings or recent form, but because history refuses to stay silent. Every World Cup meeting between these two carries weight from the past. Victories are replayed and missed chances are remembered. As the 2026 edition approaches, the focus sharpens on one simple question. On the T20 World Cup stage, who has truly held the upper hand?

(Credit - CNBC 18)

Numbers that tilt the balance

On the T20 World Cup stage, the scoreboard tells a clear tale. India and PAK have faced each other eight times in the tournament’s history. The Men in Blue has emerged victorious six times and PAK has won once. One match ended tied and was decided by a bowl-out in 2007. From Durban to New York, India’s dominance has stretched across continents. PAK’s only win came in 2021, a famous 10-wicket victory, also their biggest margin over India in this format. The most recent meeting in 2024 ended with India defending 119, winning by six runs under immense pressure.

( Credit - ICC Cricket)

Runs that defined the drama

When it comes to batting, one man towers over this rivalry -- Virat Kohli. Across six T20 World Cup innings against PAK, he has scored over 300 runs, averaging above 75 with a strike rate north of 130. His best, 82 at Melbourne in 2022, remains one of the greatest T20 World Cup knocks ever played. For PAK, Shoaib Malik leads their charts with around 100 runs in five innings, offering stability if not spectacle. Misbah-ul-Haq, in just two games, scored 96 runs at a strike rate above 130, proving his value in high-pressure moments.

(Credit - ANI)

Wickets that shifted momentum

Bowling has often turned these contests on their head. Irfan Pathan sits at the top with six wickets in three matches, including match-winning figures of 3/16 in the 2007 final. His economy in these clashes stayed close to six runs per over, remarkable for such high-stakes games. Hardik Pandya has matched Pathan’s wicket tally, taking six wickets at an average of around 13, combining pace with fearless intent. For PAK, Mohammad Asif produced the best spell in this rivalry, finishing with 4/18, a performance still unmatched by any bowler in these fixtures.

Silence, statements, and the road ahead

The T20 rivalry has recently moved beyond numbers. During the Asia Cup 2025, India avoided pre-match gestures. No handshakes and no toss-time exchanges -- just cricket. India won all three matches in the group stage, Super Four, and final. The silence triggered debate, but the stance never shifted. Now, with another World Cup clash set for February 15, 2026, that question returns. Will the silence continue? Or will the focus return fully to the field? History adds weight to the moment. India have lifted the T20 World Cup twice, in 2007 and 2024. PAK has won it once, in 2009. The stage is set again. And once more, everything is on the line.