When Cricket Defies Logic: Pakistan vs India and the Stories We Tell
My first vivid memory of a cricket match dates back to the 2007 World T20 final between India and Pakistan. Though I must have watched other cricket matches before, this one stands out. I clearly remember Misbah playing a scoop shot over short fine-leg with just six runs needed from four balls.
As the ball soared through the air, I felt an optimism unique to a child who had never before seen Pakistan play cricket—surely, this was going for six. What other destination could a ball hit that high land at?
The answer was Sreesanth’s hands.
Despite having watched cricket before, it was that 2007 final that truly defined my understanding of Pakistan cricket—a cycle of near victories, the ever-present question of “why did he do that?”, and the overarching weight of playing against India.
The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan occurred during Pakistan’s 2012-13 tour of India. The promotional trailer featured the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Gautam Gambhir, each carrying a sense of focused determination. But what really captured the essence of the cricketing rivalry was a simple, yet powerful phrase from Indian fans: inn se mat haarna (Don’t lose to them).
Interestingly, the sentiment in Pakistan is not much different. Victory and defeat feel far more intense and consequential when it involves our neighbors across the border.
