Although India will have the edge, Pakistan can still beat them in T20 World Cup 2021: Azhar Mahmood

Cricket fans worldwide have marked their calendars with the high-voltage T20 World Cup 2021 being just around the corner. While several marquee clashes are in the pipeline, the India vs Pakistan encounter is arguably the most awaited. After all, the two nations have a history of rivalry. The high-voltage game will be played on October 24 in Dubai and tickets have already been sold out.

While Pakistan are still ahead of India in terms of head-to-head record in international cricket, the story is entirely different in World Cup events. The two sides have locked horns in 12 World Cup matches so far – 7 in ODI World Cups and 5 in T20 World Cups – and India emerged victorious every single time. It’s indeed a jaw-dropping record considering Pakistan have always boasted of a strong team.

Nevertheless, Babar Azam’s men will have a chance of ending this losing streak in Dubai. Speaking on the matter, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood admitted India have a better team and are in better form currently. However, he still backed his countrymen to script history in the Arab nation.

Throughout World Cups, we haven’t had a good record against India: Azhar Mahmood

“The match is expected to be tough because our players perform well in T20 format but the way India are playing themselves and the kind of team they have, definitely India will have the edge, but on the day, if our players click, I am sure we can beat them,” Mahmood told Cricket Pakistan.

Owing to the political tension between the nations, Pakistan and India now only meet in multi-team events. Pakistan last defeated India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. However, things changed in their following meeting which occurred during the 2019 World Cup. Extending their winning streak, India recorded an 89-run win.

“We played India twice at the Champions Trophy 2017. We lost the round game but beat them in the final. After that, we played them at the 2019 World Cup. Throughout World Cups, we haven’t had a good record against them. Even when we played, Pakistan did not have a great record against India at World Cups,” the former quick added.