The enduring cricket face-off between India and Pakistan has consistently been a display of powerful feeling, enthralling countless fans all over the world. Nevertheless, after India’s decisive triumphs over Pakistan in the current Asia Cup 2025, the story encompassing this celebrated competition has transformed. Seasoned Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma has contributed to the discussion, providing an open and affecting view that has connected with many. His latest comments imply that the once-balanced battle has turned into a one-sided matter, with the present Pakistan team struggling under a new kind of strain.
Ishant Sharma reveals the reasons behind his sympathy for Pakistan’s cricket team
Ishant, a practiced campaigner who has participated in numerous high-stakes matches, voiced real understanding for the current group of Pakistan players. Speaking during the Raj Shamani podcast, he considers their biggest challenger isn’t India, but the overwhelming strain they undergo from their own enthusiastic, and often unforgiving, supporters.
Speaking on a podcast, Sharma conveyed this sentiment by saying, “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.”
This emphasizes a considerable mental load that has become a defining characteristic of this modern contest. Unlike in the past, where the strain was distributed uniformly, India’s recent control has made Pakistan’s defeats feel like a betrayal to their followers, creating a restricting setting that often results in collapses on the field. The statistics on the scoreboard support Ishant’s view. India’s recent victories in the Asia Cup have extended their dominant T20I head-to-head record against Pakistan to a skewed 11-3.
India’s robust cricketing ecosystem vs Pakistan’s lack of talent
Ishant drew a clear comparison between the Pakistan team of today and the legendary squads he faced in his career. He stated that the real intensity of the rivalry was felt during the time of cricketing greats like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi. These players were not just competitors; they were strong forces who inspired real fear in opponents. “The pressure will be high but that was more during the time when they had great players like Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq and Afridi….these were great players,”
Ishant believes that the current team simply does not have the same level of talent or infrastructure to compete with India’s cricketing force. “The kind of talent, exposure, and infrastructure we have they are not even close.” This analysis points to a broader truth about the two cricketing nations. While India has built a strong and well-resourced cricketing system, Pakistan’s system has struggled to produce a consistent flow of world-class talent, increasing the difference between the two sides.
