Since its inception cricket has become of the most followed games in the sporting world. Especially in the Asian countries where the gentlemen’s game is more popular than football. India has a huge cricket fanbase compared to football. However, there are certain sections of people who follow both the games in equal measure. Such people can easily identify the similarities between the two games.

Firstly both the games are capable of entertaining the crowd with its share of twists and turns. Besides both football and cricket are capable of unifying different groups of people. Apart from these similarities, certain playing teams can also be compared with each other. They may be playing different games but their journey might have a striking resemblance.

Here is the list of 8 international teams and their football equivalents:

1. England – Liverpool

It is a well-known fact England is a country with a rich cricketing history. Fondly known as the “Three Lions” they have always entertained the cricketing fraternity with their brand of cricket. Especially in recent years, the Brits have become one of the most popular teams among the fans owing to their reemergence in white-ball cricket. Even in the longest format, England is known for producing nail-biting encounters and the 2019 Ashes series is the perfect example to prove the point.

Although Joe Root’s men failed to win the series they played a big role in reviving the aura of the classic format. Coincidentally it has a striking similarity with Liverpool’s 2018-19 Premier League campaign where they awed the audience with their style of play. Still, the Reds missed the mark by the smallest of margins and finished 2nd at the end of the season.

Similarly, England’s World Cup win can be easily compared to Liverpool’s Champions League triumph as both the teams redeemed their glory with a memorable campaign. Even the heroes behind their historic wins can be equated to each other. If it was Ben Stokes for England then it was Mohamed Salah for Liverpool as both the stars etched their names in the sporting annals with their iconic performances.

2. Australia – Real Madrid

Without a doubt, one can say that the Australian cricket team has been a dominant force in the history of the gentlemen’s game. To be precise their record win rate in Tests (47%) and ODIs (63.5%) is the further validation of their supremacy in world cricket. Such has been their dominance that they have earned the nickname “The Invincibles”. In short, the Kangaroos have often charmed the cricketing fraternity with their consistency.

They have won the 50-over World Cup for a record-breaking 5 times. Besides they are the only team to win the event 3 times in a row. That’s why they are quite similar to the football club giants, Real Madrid. They are the only club to win the Champions League for three consecutive seasons. Besides Los Blancos are the most successful team in La Liga with 33 titles.

In all both these teams have always been praised for their hunger for success. Furthermore, both Australia and Real Madrid have always been home to world-class talents. The hard-hitting batsmen of Australia can be easily compared to the belligerent strikers of Real Madrid. Similarly in the current scenario both the teams are rediscovering their mojo after being marred by controversies in the last couple of years.

3. India – FC Barcelona

There is no denying the fact that India is the most celebrated cricket team around the globe. Over the years the team has produced some of the groundbreaking moments of the gentlemen’s game. Be it the historic 1983 World Cup-winning saga or the iconic 2000-01 Border Gavaskar Trophy the team has a chapter to themselves in the cricketing annals. Even now they are winning millions of hearts with their dazzling on-field performances.

Particularly in the last decade or so, the Men In Blue has been one of the consistent sides in the cricketing circle. They have won 74 of their last 114 bilateral series which gives an idea of their sheer dominance in world cricket. A similar situation has panned out in the football world where the Spanish club Barcelona have been racking titles for fun. They have won five consecutive La Liga titles in the last seven seasons.

Both FC Barcelona and India have been dominant in La Liga and bilateral series respectively. However, Barcelona has a poor track record in UEFA Champions League lately and it is similar to India’s recent meltdown in the final stages of ICC events. Still both the teams are carrying high hopes for the coming times as they have inspirational personalities like Lionel Messi and Virat Kohli in their respective squads.

4. New Zealand – Atletico Madrid

Cricket is a game that is known for its discipline and fair play and the team which fully practices such qualities is New Zealand. The Black Caps has often received praise for playing the game in the right spirits irrespective of the situation of the game. In simple terms, the team seems to believe in the saying “Action speaks louder than words”. It has also worked wonders for them as they have reached back-to-back World Cup finals in the last 5 years.

Besides they have also performed well in the classic format as they are currently locked at No.3 in the ICC Test rankings. Having said that the team is yet to win a defining championship in their cricketing history and that’s why they have a striking resemblance with the Spanish football club, Atletico Madrid. Like Black Caps, Atletico Madrid has failed twice in the all-important finals, UEFA Champions League.

What’s more intriguing is the fact that both the teams have mostly remained in the shadow of other world-class teams. However, they are known for punching above their weight in global tournaments. Similarly, New Zealand’s neighbouring rivalry with Australia can be compared to Atletico Madrid’s match-up with Real Madrid. In the end, it can be said that till now both the teams have carved out a similar path in their journey.

5. Pakistan – Arsenal

When it comes to Pakistan cricket team, it is either magic or beyond logic. The former World champions have a knack of surprising the cricketing community with their unpredictability factor. They have been involved in various cricketing episodes including the good ones and the bad ones. Apart from their style of play, they are also known for their quality fast-bowling commodities.

In simple terms, there’s never a dull moment when the Men in Green is in action and it is a quality which can be associated with the English club – Arsenal. They are one of the high-flying clubs in football history. Nicknamed as “The Gunners”, the Mikel Arteta-led side consists of a star-studded line-up. Especially their strikers’ duo of Lacazette and Aubameyang can tear apart any defence unit which is similar to the quality of a Pakistan pace attack.

Like Pakistan, Arsenal is also known for making dramatic comebacks in the final moments of a game. Besides both, the teams have a history of high-profile sackings. Even now, both Arsenal and Pakistan are experiencing a similar situation of not playing to their potential. So now they are banking on their young stars in their hunt for silverware.

6. South Africa – Tottenham

The team which has defied great odds to put themselves into the cricketing map is none other than South Africa. Be it the Apartheid or the 2000’s fixing scandals the Proteas has invariably found a way to live their cricketing dreams. For most of this century, they have been one of the top-ranked sides. The reason being the presence of world-class players like Ab De Villiers, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn in their set-up.

However, the South African team tends to lose the plot when they play global events. Stunningly the English club Tottenham shares the same characteristic with them. Spurs had the chance of ending their pursuit of silverware by winning UEFA Champions League 2018-19. However, the Mauricio Pochettino side choked in the finals against Liverpool to lose the encounter 2-0.

Having said that the English team has also had of their misfortunes in big tournaments and it corresponds to South Africa’s mishaps in ICC events. Both, Tottenham and South Africa have delivered impressive performances since the past couple of years and have talismans like Harry Kane and AB de Villiers in their arsenal.

7. West Indies – Manchester United

It’s hard to imagine cricket without the Caribbean flavour. To be precise the West Indies cricket team has been one of the pillars of the gentlemen’s game. In all these times they have produced some of the rare cricketing talents. Besides their brand of cricket has always attracted the audience. Above all, they have won 5 ICC championships which is second-best in the history of the game.

In its prime, the Caribbean team was an unstoppable force and it is evident from their 27 Test unbeaten run in the ’80s. Surprisingly it is similar to the dominance of Manchester United in the early years of this century. The English club enjoyed its glory days but has been inconsistent in recent years. Despite being unsuccessful in winning the Premier League lately, the Red Devils have clinched FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield in the past five years, which is equivalent to the twin T20 championships of West Indies.

Sadly now both the teams are going through a rough patch and are unable to bring consistency in their game. In recent times both Arsenal and West Indies have seen a lot of changes in their respective coaching panel. Still, they have managed to keep their fans invested with their odd title wins.

8. Afghanistan – Leicester City

At the moment the Afghanistan cricket team is taking giant strides in the international circuit. Along with their growth in white-ball cricket, they are also enhancing their reputation as a Test-playing nation. It seems that the Asian minnows are now ready to take on bigger cricketing challenges. Particularly they will be eager to surprise some of the established teams in the upcoming T20 championship.

As far as their cricketing journey is considered it is nothing short of a spectacle. First, they stunned the cricketing fraternity with their title win in 2010 ACC Trophy Elite. Since then they have not looked back and are continuing their rise with each outing. Coincidentally the English club, Leicester City has a similar story. “The Foxes” announced their arrival in the sporting world with their astonishing 2015-16 EPL campaign. Thereafter they have been a consistent side in the league.

Recently they also created history by scoring 9 goals against Southampton which corresponds to Afghanistan’s record-breaking T20I score of 278 against Ireland. However both the teams are yet to make their mark in global tournaments. Like Afghanistan, Leicester City is dependent on individual brilliance. If it is Rashid Khan for the Asian team then it is Jamie Vardy for the City. Still both the teams are expected to win more titles in the near future.