Few contests in world cricket generate as much attention and emotion as a match between India and Pakistan. Every encounter between the two rivals is watched closely, both on and off the field, and comments from players often attract significant interest. This time, a Pakistani cricketer has sparked discussion with his views on the rivalry and the factors he believes influence the outcome of matches.
Pakistan men’s cricket all-rounder Khushdil Shah recently shared his thoughts during a podcast appearance, where he spoke about the pressure associated with facing India. According to him, the emotional aspect of representing the country in such a high-profile contest creates some pressure but players gradually settle into the game. He also recalled that Pakistan had enjoyed victories over India in the past, making those wins particularly satisfying for the team.
However, the left-handed all-rounder went a step further by suggesting that several factors beyond on-field performances often work in India’s favor. He claimed that important decisions during matches, including some umpiring calls and logistical matters, tend to benefit the Indian team. He also implied that certain arrangements surrounding games are sometimes made in a way that suits India. Because of these perceived challenges, he said Pakistan’s victories over their rivals feel even more rewarding.
His comments have drawn attention at a time when India has enjoyed a dominant run against Pakistan in major tournaments. The Men in Blue have won their last six meetings against Pakistan across tournaments organised by the ICC and the Asian Cricket Council.
The most recent clash between the two teams took place during the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo, where India secured a comprehensive 61-run victory. Before that, India defeated Pakistan three times during the 2025 Asia Cup, including in the final. India also recorded a victory over Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Pakistan’s most recent win against India came during the Super Four stage of the 2022 Asia Cup in Dubai. In the ODI format, Pakistan have not beaten India since the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
Despite his criticism, Khushdil Shah ended his remarks on a more positive note. He observed that India usually enjoys much larger crowd support, with Pakistan fans making up around 20-25% of spectators compared to India’s 70-75%. Even so, he noted that there has generally been little negativity from fans, adding that political issues should be separated from the spirit of cricket and that Pakistan has always aimed to play the game in a positive manner against all opponents.
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