Magic moments go India's way

Looking back at the India v Pakistan World Twenty20 clash in Colombo on Sunday, Osman Samiuddin writes that over the past decade, India have become to Pakistan almost precisely what Pakistan were to India during the '80s and '90s. In the great India-Pakistan rivalry, India are the new ('80s and '90s) Pakistan. More from the National.

When Pakistan dominated India, patterns – strange but distinct – would emerge with no relation to any pattern that preceded, or followed. No matter how poorly the team had been playing they would shake it off against India.

They won the big moments (granted every moment in these games is big). Big games (World Cups aside) were won. Decisions went their way. Miraculous catches were held, dramatic run-outs inflicted. It was – and is – the most infuriating kind of hold.

And precisely this has been happening, except for India now, over this decade. It is what happened tonight.