Waqar Younis reveals why Pakistan haven't defeated India over the last few World Cups

A cricket match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is the most-anticipated game of any ICC tournament. Due to the political tension between the two nations, the Indian and Pakistan cricket team face each other in the ICC tournaments only. The two nations haven’t played any bilateral series against each other since 2012.

India have always had the upper-hand when facing Pakistan in ICC tournaments, especially in the World Cup. India hasn’t lost a single game against Pakistan in the World Cup be it in 1992, 2003, 2011, 2015 or 2019. The only major loss India had to bear against their rival nation is during the finals of 2017 Champions Trophy.

Speaking on the @GloFansOfficial twitter handle, Pakistan pace legend Waqar Younis revealed the reason behind India getting an edge over Pakistan in ICC tournaments.

“Over the last few World Cups, Pakistan have not won against India. We did well in other formats, we did well in Test matches, but when it comes to World Cups and ODI Cricket, India has always had an upper hand on us. And they deserve it. I think they played better cricket than us,” said Waqar.

The former Pakistan captain had a glorious international career as a fast bowler. He has picked up 373 Test and 416 ODI scalps in his career of 14 years. The only regret Waqar has is missing the World Cup 1992 where Pakistan became the World Champions for the first time. He was at the peak of his career at that time but could not be a part of history as he had to pull out of the tournament because of a stress fracture.

Pakistan didn’t play smartly: Waqar Younis

Analyzing the game of his country during the World Cups, the 48-year-old pointed out that his home team succumbs to pressure while playing against their arch-rivals. Also, the psychological pressure of playing against India makes the Pakistan team lose its nerve.

The former captain said, “I remember in Bangalore and back in I think that was in Pretoria in 2003. I remember most of them and I think I have played a couple of them. So they were a very good side and I think on that particular day they just came out with a very positive frame of mind, they played better cricket and played smartly.”

“We did not play smartly; we had games in our hands. If you look at the World Cup in 2011 and then of course back in ’96 also we had the game in our hand, but it is just, we… we just threw it away. It is hard to pinpoint why we do that, maybe, it’s just the pressure of the World Cup now because it happens so many times, it is just the psychological pressure on us that we just cannot really win against them but yeah, it’s very very difficult to pinpoint on one thing,” he added.