India has clinched the ICC T20 World Cup for the third time, reinforcing its dominance in international cricket. The triumph adds to a remarkable run that includes a recent Champions Trophy victory and a strong showing in the ODI World Cup, where India reached the final. In contrast, Pakistan exited this T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage, continuing a pattern of underwhelming performances in recent tournaments. Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has remarked that winning trophies is embedded in India’s cricketing DNA.
The final, held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, saw India defeat New Zealand by 96 runs, securing a consecutive T20 World Cup title. India now stands as the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times, as well as claiming a home World Cup triumph. Star performers such as Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant played crucial roles, while the leadership of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli proved decisive.
Speaking to the media, Latif said: “Even when they lose the toss, they post 255 runs. Nobody comes close to matching them. This has not happened overnight; it is the result of ten years of hard work. India has turned reaching finals and winning major tournaments into a habit.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan struggled in the Super Eight stage. Their recent history shows sporadic success but growing inconsistency: after winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, Pakistan has failed to progress deep into major ICC events. The team previously won the 1992 ODI World Cup and the 2009 T20 World Cup but has been unable to replicate that success recently. Before this T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s campaign in the Champions Trophy and the 2024 T20 World Cup ended in the group stage, despite strong individual players such as Babar Azam, Salman Butt, and Shaheen Afridi.
Latif expressed his frustration with Pakistan’s performance: “Winning is in India’s DNA, while ours seems to end before the knockout stages. Their DNA is about playing finals and winning.”
Following the disappointing World Cup exit, the Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly fined several players. Latif commented on this, saying, “A weak board enforces such fines. Contracts clearly outline all conditions, including fines and rewards.”
For context, Pakistan and India’s recent ICC tournament performances are summarised below:
| Year | Tournament | India Result | Pakistan Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | ODI World Cup | Semi-final | Champions | Pakistan wins under Imran Khan |
| 2009 | T20 World Cup | Semi-final | Champions | Pakistan wins first T20 WC |
| 2017 | Champions Trophy | Semi-final | Champions | Pakistan wins last ICC trophy |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup | Champions | Group Stage exit | India wins third T20 WC |
India’s consistent success highlights a combination of strategy, depth, and mental strength that has become a hallmark of their cricket. Pakistan, meanwhile, faces the challenge of rebuilding a team capable of competing consistently on the global stage.