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From friends to foes: Every instance when India-Pakistan conflict affected cricketing ties between two nations

Despite the storied history of competition between the two nations, there have been instances where India and Pakistan have refused to play against each other.

Chankesh Rao | May 09, 2025, 09:01 PM IST

1.India-Pakistan cricket rivalry

India-Pakistan cricket rivalry
1

The cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan is intense and has a rich history, but recent tensions between the two nations have escalated due to conflicts like the Pahalgam Terror Attack. The longstanding Kashmir conflict often affects their cricketing relationship. Bilateral matches have been disrupted by wars and political tensions, with the last series in 2012-13. Since then, matches between India and Pakistan have been limited to ICC events.

 

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2.1962-1977

1962-1977
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Pakistan's tour of India in 1960/61 for a five-match Test series marked the conclusion of cricketing engagements between the two nations for a significant period. Following two major wars in 1965 and 1971, the sporting relations between India and Pakistan were strained, resulting in a hiatus in bilateral cricket until 1978.

 

3.1990-91

1990-91
3

Pakistan had withdrawn from the Asia Cup, leaving Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as the remaining participating teams in the tournament hosted by India.

 

4.1999–2003

1999–2003
4

The 1999 Kargil war had a significant impact on the cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan. Following the conflict, bilateral cricket matches between the two countries were suspended for approximately four years. It wasn't until India embarked on a tour of Pakistan that the cricketing ties were rekindled, with a series comprising five ODIs and three Test matches being played.

5.2009

2009
5

India decided to cancel their tour to Pakistan, which included three Test matches and five ODI fixtures, in response to the 26/11 terror attack. Following the incident, there was a three-year hiatus in bilateral series between the two countries. The only exception was a brief tour by India to Pakistan in 2012.

6.2023

2023
6

The Asia Cup was compelled to adopt a hybrid model due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan.

7.2025

2025
7

India refused to travel to hosts Pakistan for the Champions Trophy because of security concerns and political tensions and played all their matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

 

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