'Difficult to emulate what we achieved, we outclassed a high-quality side' - Imad Wasim on Pakistan's T20 WC win against India

Pakistan spinner Imad Wasim has said that the team’s achievement against India at the T20 World Cup 2021 is a feat difficult to emulate. The Babar Azam-led Pakistan scripted history as they handed a 10-wicket defeat to India in Dubai to snap a 12-match losing streak against their arch-rivals in T20I and ODI World Cup combined.

The loss pegged India back in contention, and another loss against New Zealand derailed them to the extent that even three victories on the bounce could not ascertain them a place in the semi-finals. Notably, India’s 10-wicket loss against Pakistan was also the first instance of them losing a 20-over game by that margin.

“It was really good and beating India always provides some special moments for everyone involved in Pakistan cricket. Of course, I enjoyed the occasion and the match, and the result was just perfect. There was pressure on us, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against India in a Twenty20 World Cup and I was really grateful for that opportunity, Wasim told PakPassion.net.

“It felt like everything we touched that day turned to gold. Make no mistake, India are a very, very good side, but we just outclassed them on the day. The way we played was just fantastic and I would say that it was a near-perfect performance. In fact, I would go so far as to say that what we achieved on that day will be difficult to replicate in the future,” he added.

India and Pakistan should play regularly: Imad Wasim

Owing to political tensions between the two bordering nations, India-Pakistan rivalry has been reduced merely to ICC events, with the last bilateral tour between them dating long back to 2012. Wasim, however, highlighted the need for “two world-class teams” like India and Pakistan to play each other often.

“As a player, you always want to compete at the highest level and against the best teams which is why these games are so special for us. I feel that being two world-class teams, India and Pakistan should play regularly against each other.”

“But having said that, I also understand that there are political reasons which prevent this from happening. This is sad because sports, especially cricket, can unite nations and I do think that we should have bilateral series between the two countries. Not only will this will be good for the game of cricket, but it will also be great both for cricket and for humanity too,” he signed off.