'Game has shifted towards individual brilliance' - Inzamam-ul-Haq on India-Pakistan rivalry over years

India and Pakistan have rivalry which draws back to decades. The arch-rivals no longer play bilateral series and only meet at the ICC events owing to the strained relations between the two nations. It is worth noting that both the teams last played a bilateral series in 2012. However, the scarcity of action between the two makes their fixtures the most sought after one’s whenever they collide. 

As it stands, the fans will have one more instance of watching the Asian giants fight it out in the ongoing Champions Trophy, when they lock horns on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. As the fervour of the event is at an all-time high, former Pakistan cricketer, Inzamam Ul Haq, who was part of the growing Indo-Pak popularity, feels the limited meetings only adds to the pressure. 

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"There is always pressure. When you play just one match a year, that pressure is amplified. Nowadays, with so much cricket being broadcast, players watch each other closely. Earlier, we approached it as a team game—whichever team had better balance had the upper hand. But with T20 cricket evolving, the game has shifted towards individual brilliance. A single player can turn a match around,” said Inzamam on JioHotstar’s Greatest Rivalry Returns.

"India has had a strong team in recent years, especially with all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya providing balance in the lower order. In subcontinent conditions, having such players makes a huge difference. Even now, the team with better balance will have the edge,” he added. 

India and Pakistan have met 21 times at ICC events, and it is India who have an upper hand, winning 17 games across formats with only four going Pakistan's way. One of those four came in Champions Trophy 2017 as they beat them in the finals.