Over the last few years, the difference between India and Pakistan men’s cricket teams has widened significantly. India has reached a stage where they can put together top-class teams for every format of the game, while Pakistan continues to struggle in building even a single consistent XI capable of competing at the highest level.
The Asia Cup 2025 has been a clear example of this gulf, with India defeating Pakistan twice—first in the group stage and again in the Super 4s. These performances once again highlighted India’s dominance. Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma admitted that watching Pakistan cricket decline to such an extent has made him “feel bad for them.”
Ishant Sharma On Pressure Faced By Pakistan
In a conversation with Raj Shamani on his podcast, Ishant explained how Pakistan’s struggles are not limited to the playing field but also extend to the mental challenges they face because of fan expectations. He said, “Pakistan already have so much pressure on them, how will they handle more from us? If you look at the matches, their fans in the crowd are always shouting behind them from the stands. Actually, sometimes I feel bad for them.”
According to Ishant Sharma, the constant criticism and pressure from their own supporters make things worse for Pakistan players, leaving them in a difficult position before and during high-voltage clashes against India. With the possibility of a third India-Pakistan showdown in this tournament, Ishant is certain that Salman Agha’s men will struggle to manage the added pressure when facing Suryakumar Yadav’s strong side.
Comparing Legends And Present Scenarios
Reflecting on the past, Ishant pointed out that the intensity of an India-Pakistan contest was much higher when Pakistan had legendary players in their ranks.
He remarked, “The pressure will be high (during an India vs Pakistan match), but that was more during the time when they had great players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Afridi… these were great players. The kind of talent, exposure, and infrastructure we have, they are not even close.”
This comparison showed how Pakistan has fallen behind in nurturing world-class cricketers. Following India’s recent Super 4 victory, captain Suryakumar Yadav even stated that Salman Agha’s team can no longer be regarded as India’s “rivals,” given the massive statistical gap between the two nations. The once fierce rivalry now appears to be turning one-sided, with India surging ahead while Pakistan struggles to keep up.
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