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Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that it won't be a big deal even if the 2026 T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan does not happen. He also said that the two teams aren't in the same league anymore and it feels like the Men in Blue are beating "minnows" whenever they defeat their arch-rivals. This statement comes after Pakistan boycotted the upcoming T20 World Cup clash against India that was set to take place on February 15.
India have made it a one-sided rivalry
India's recent record against Pakistan has been nothing short of phenomenal and they even defeated their arch-rivals on three occasions during the 2025 Asia Cup. The two teams had also met in the final where Suryakumar Yadav & Co. had once again outclassed their opponents in both the batting and bowling departments. India are the favourites to come out on top of Pakistan whenever a clash between the two is announced these days.
"India-Pakistan match, if it does not happen, no big deal. Honestly, for a long time now, the actual game has never lived up to the hype and the drama we built up before the match. And the reason for that is obvious. It's that India and Pakistan are not in the same league anymore. Earlier, in the 90s and before, it was fun because Pakistan was a strong team. But not anymore. Now, when India beats Pakistan, it is almost like India is beating the minnows. Earlier, you could have felt good on beating Pakistan," Manjrekar said in a video on Instagram.
"That's how Pakistan cricket has deteriorated. I saw that in the Asia Cup as well. You just have to compare the young players that come through the Indian cricket system versus the Pakistan cricket system. It's the difference between the earth and the sky," he added.
Manjrekar feels that instead of Pakistan, the likes of Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa are the teams that India will be looking to beat in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He further said that if the India-Pakistan clash doesn't go ahead as planned earlier, it won't bring down the value of the tournament by any means.
"If India-Pakistan does not happen in this world event, it is not a big deal because you still have Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa. Those are the matches to watch, and those are the teams that India needs to beat for us to feel proud about this Indian team. I think it is a non-event and is not going to bring down the value of the tournament," Manjrekar concluded.
IND and PAK to begin their campaigns on the same date
Meanwhile, both India and Pakistan are set to begin their T20 World Cup campaigns on February 7 itself with the clashes against USA and Netherlands respectively. The two teams are favourites to make it out of Group A and it remains to be seen as to how they perform in the competition.
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