3 unforgettable moments between India and Pakistan T20 legends

India and Pakistan have had some memorable encounters over the years across formats. There have been many fierce battles between players, which have sent the fans into a frenzy. There is no rivalry as intense as the India-Pakistan clash in the game of cricket. The two neighbouring countries are rooted in the shared history and geopolitical tensions following the 1947 Partition.

The upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup might not feature a clash between India and Pakistan, as the Pakistani government has confirmed that the Men in Green will boycott the clash on February 15 against the defending champions.

Nonetheless, ahead of the start of the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup, let’s take a look at three intense clashes between players from both sides while playing T20I cricket.

3 unforgettable clashes between India and Pakistan T20 legends

3. Suryakumar Yadav refusing to shake hands with Salman Ali Agha

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha in any of the three matches played by the two teams during the 2025 Asia Cup following the cross-border tension between the two countries before the start of the tournament. Even after the matches concluded, the Indian players quickly headed back into their dressing rooms without the customary handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts.

India decided to take this route after the relationship between the two countries hit a massive low following the Pahalgam terror attack. Later in the tournament, India refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

2. Abhishek Sharma and Shaheen Afridi

During the Super Fours match between India and Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup, Abhishek Sharma and Shaheen Afridi got into a war of words. After launching the left-arm seamer for a six off the first ball, Abhishek asked him to get back to his mark and bowl. Shaheen followed it up by charging towards the batter in his bowling stride.

After winning the Player of the Match award in that clash, Abhishek said that he did not like the Pakistani bowlers coming at them without any reason. He said that he started attacking the opposition bowlers to stop them from doing their antics.

Virat Kohli and Haris Rauf

Virat Kohli played one of the finest knocks in T20 World Cup history during the 2022 edition of the tournament. Chasing a 160-run target, India were in dire straits at 31/4 in the seventh over. However, Kohli and Hardik Pandya added a crucial 113-run stand off 78 balls to bring the Men in Blue back in the contest.

Haris Rauf was bowling beautifully, and Pakistan almost had the game in the bag when 28 runs were required off the last eight balls. However, Kohli hit two iconic sixes to finish the penultimate over. The former India captain also hit a six in the final over and paved the way for India to score the 16 runs needed for the win. Rauf finished with figures of 2/36, which were not enough for Pakistan to take them over the line.