With India continuing to dominate the India–Pakistan rivalry, former players and observers believe the once-marquee clash is gradually losing its commercial sheen, at least from Pakistan’s perspective.

India’s latest 61-run victory in the T20 World Cup has deepened concerns, especially after the build-up surrounding the match. Expectations were high following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s tough stance during its recent standoff with the ICC, but the on-field performance failed to match the rhetoric.

Also Read: Babar Azam under fire as Pakistan legends demand overhaul

The defeat once again highlighted the widening gulf between the two sides. India have now beaten Pakistan in eight of their nine T20 World Cup meetings. Added to that are three successive losses suffered by Salman Ali Agha’s team at last year’s Asia Cup.

India’s white-ball dominance stretches even further back. Since Pakistan’s triumph in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, they have not won a single ODI against India.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Tauqir Zia warned that the rivalry’s commercial value could diminish if the contests continue to be one-sided.

“Pakistan–India matches have become too predictable,” he said. “This time there was hype because of the boycott announcement and its reversal. But if the imbalance continues, these games will gradually lose value for the ICC and member boards.”

Advertising executive Pervaz Mir echoed that sentiment, noting that fans and sponsors alike are losing interest in lopsided encounters.

“No one wants to see one-sided matches — not fans, not advertisers,” he said, adding that even Indian audiences have begun to see the fixtures as predictable.

“The commercial value will decline unless the matches become competitive again.”

Karachi-based film distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla observed that many spectators walked out of a public screening after Pakistan lost four early wickets.

Cricket writer Omair Alavi pointed out the psychological blow for Pakistani fans. “Even if we reach the semi-finals, we might face India again and everyone fears the same outcome. That’s what hurts the most,” he said.

Former greats such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Ramiz Raja, and Aamir Sohail, who were part of fiercely competitive contests in the 1980s and 1990s — have also expressed disappointment at the current state of affairs.

Akhtar questioned the team’s fighting spirit. “Where is the character and fire we had when we played India? Even when we lost, everyone knew it would be a battle,” he said.

Saqlain recalled Pakistan’s dramatic Test win in Chennai in 1999, when the team rallied around captain Wasim Akram’s belief that one breakthrough could change the match despite Sachin Tendulkar steering India toward victory.

“Where is that spirit in this team?” Saqlain asked.

For many former players and fans, the concern is not just about results — but about the fading intensity that once made the rivalry one of cricket’s most compelling spectacles.