The countdown to the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan World Cup match on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium has begun. As the excitement builds, hotels in Ahmedabad are almost fully booked, and flight ticket prices have soared. This marquee fixture not only promises to be the highlight of the tournament but also marks Pakistan’s return to play an international match in India after an absence of nearly a decade.

However, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly’s recent comments about India-Pakistan matches have sparked a heated debate. Ganguly suggested that the sheen of these encounters has diminished due to India’s “one-sided” victories in recent years. His assessment has triggered a strong reaction, particularly from Pakistani fans who believe their team has given India tough competition, including a resounding 10-wicket win in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

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Basit Ali, a former Pakistani cricketer, expressed his surprise at Ganguly’s remarks while acknowledging his contributions to Indian cricket as both a player and an administrator. Basit offered a reality check, disagreeing with Ganguly’s claim that India-Pakistan matches have been one-sided. He highlighted Pakistan’s victories in recent encounters, such as the T20 World Cup in the UAE and the Asia Cup, where Pakistan won one match and lost another against India.

Basit Ali acknowledged India’s historical dominance over Pakistan in ICC World Cups but emphasized that the dynamics have shifted since 2017. He pointed out India’s win against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Australia, crediting Virat Kohli for his exceptional performance. Basit praised Kohli’s match-winning innings as one of the best-ever in T20 cricket.

Moreover, Basit Ali refuted Sourav Ganguly’s notion that India vs Australia match provides better quality cricket. He argued that the India-Pakistan rivalry transcends cricket and captures the imagination of fans in both countries. Basit highlighted the immense popularity of India-Pakistan matches, noting that the entire region comes to a standstill during these encounters. He also emphasized the difference in ticket prices between India-Pakistan and India-Australia matches, indicating the unparalleled fan interest in the former.

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Basit Ali dismissed Sourav Ganguly’s attempt to downplay the significance of India-Pakistan matches and perceived it as an attempt to play mind games. He reiterated the tremendous excitement and anticipation that surrounds these clashes, reiterating that India vs Pakistan is often referred to as the “mother of all battles.”

While India has had the upper hand over Pakistan in recent years, Basit’s response serves as a reminder of Pakistan’s resilience and their ability to challenge India on the cricket field. The upcoming World Cup match between the two rivals is expected to be a gripping contest, capturing the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.