Actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani has never hidden his love for cricket, particularly his deep emotional bond with the Pakistan cricket team. A self-confessed cricket nerd, Nanjiani recently offered a candid and heartfelt take on what it feels like to support Pakistan in the modern era—especially when they come up against arch-rivals India.
Speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast, Nanjiani admitted that watching Pakistan face India has become increasingly difficult in recent years. The pain, he explained, is not just about defeats on the scoreboard, but the growing contrast between the two teams. According to him, Indian cricket now exudes stability, clarity, and long-term planning, while Pakistan often appears stuck in uncertainty.
“Pakistan has been on the receiving end of the bashing, and it’s been very, very difficult to watch,” Kumail Nanjiani said. “India is undeniably one of the best teams in the world.” His remarks reflected a sense of resignation that many Pakistan fans can relate to, particularly during high-profile ICC events.
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Kumail Nanjiani was quick to point out that India’s dominance is no coincidence. He credited the Indian Premier League for building a strong talent pipeline, producing quality all-rounders, and creating a system that consistently prepares players for international pressure.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, he expressed frustration over Pakistan’s lack of clarity. “I still don’t have a good sense of what our squad is going to look like,” he admitted, describing Pakistan’s planning as chaotic.
Despite his criticism, Nanjiani believes Pakistan cricket retains one unmatched quality—its unpredictability. In his trademark humour, he joked that for fans of both comedy and cricket, no team offers more entertainment. The dramatic highs and crushing lows, he suggested, are part of what makes supporting Pakistan such an emotional rollercoaster.
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Kumail Nanjiani also reflected on how India-Pakistan matches have evolved over time. Growing up in the 1990s, he remembers fierce rivalry, but without the bitterness that sometimes surrounds the fixture today. Back then, the contests were intense yet rooted in cultural familiarity.
“Our countries had issues, but we understood how similar we were,” he said, recalling a time when rivalry felt competitive rather than hostile. His comments offer a nostalgic look at a rivalry that continues to captivate the cricketing world.
