The rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket is unmatched, drawing millions of fans worldwide. However, beyond the on-field action, political relations between the two nations have significantly influenced their bilateral cricketing ties. Recently, former Indian cricket great Sunil Gavaskar addressed the situation, emphasizing that peace along the borders must be prioritized before any discussions on reviving bilateral series.
A Brief History of India-Pakistan Cricket Relations
India and Pakistan have shared a complex political history since their independence in 1947, which has inevitably affected their cricketing engagements. While the two teams frequently compete in ICC tournaments and Asia Cups, bilateral series have been rare due to ongoing diplomatic tensions. The last full-fledged bilateral series took place in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for a limited-overs series. Since then, their encounters have been restricted to global and continental tournaments, with no concrete plans for resuming bilateral cricket.
Gavaskar’s Perspective: Peace Before Cricket
In a recent statement, Sunil Gavaskar, a highly respected figure in Indian cricket, reiterated that political stability and peaceful borders must be established before India and Pakistan can engage in a bilateral series. He remarked that cricket has the power to unite people, but as long as border tensions continue, hosting a bilateral series between India and Pakistan remains difficult. Ensuring peace should be the foremost priority before considering cricketing ties.”Gavaskar’s stance reflects the viewpoint of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government, both of which maintain that improving diplomatic relations is a prerequisite for bilateral cricket to resume.
Current India-Pakistan Cricketing Landscape
Despite the absence of bilateral series, India and Pakistan continue to face off in global tournaments, where their matches attract massive viewership. Some of their most notable recent encounters include:
T20 World Cup 2021 – Pakistan secured their first-ever World Cup victory over India.
T20 World Cup 2022 – Virat Kohli’s unforgettable innings led India to a thrilling win.
Asia Cup 2023 – Rain-affected clashes and high-intensity performances fueled the rivalry.
World Cup 2023 – India dominated Pakistan in a one-sided contest in Ahmedabad.
Although these matches have sustained the excitement of the rivalry, they remain limited to neutral venues and ICC-organized events.
Obstacles to Bilateral Cricket Resumption
Political & Diplomatic Tensions
Border conflicts and strained diplomatic relations continue to hinder bilateral engagements.
The Indian government has consistently maintained that improving diplomatic ties is essential before restoring cricketing relations.
Security Concerns
Ensuring player and spectator safety remains a major challenge.
Despite Pakistan’s improved security measures, past concerns continue to impact decision-making.
BCCI’s Firm Stance
The BCCI follows government directives and has avoided engaging with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for bilateral series.
Indian players do not participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to these restrictions.
Fan Sentiment & Public Opinion
While cricket enthusiasts in both countries eagerly anticipate a bilateral series, nationalistic sentiments and political factors often escalate tensions.
Key Requirements for a Bilateral Series to Take Place
For an India-Pakistan bilateral series to become a reality, several crucial conditions must be met:
Stable Diplomatic Relations – Reduced political tensions between the two nations.
Government Clearance – Both governments must approve the resumption of cricketing ties.
Assured Security Measures – Ensuring a neutral, secure environment for players and spectators.
BCCI & PCB Agreement – Both cricket boards must align on scheduling and venue-related decisions.
Public & Commercial Backing – Sponsorship deals and overwhelming fan demand can play a role.
Until these factors align, India-Pakistan matches will remain confined to ICC and ACC tournaments.
Will an India-Pakistan Bilateral Series Happen Soon?
At this moment, a bilateral series between India and Pakistan appears highly unlikely, given the existing geopolitical situation. Sunil Gavaskar’s statement reiterates the stance that while cricket has the ability to unite people, political and border stability must come first. Despite the challenges, cricket fans worldwide continue to hope for the day when this legendary rivalry will unfold once again in a full-fledged bilateral series. Until then, ICC tournaments will remain the battleground for the most-watched contest in cricket.
“India-Pakistan bilateral cricket hinges on political stability. Sunil Gavaskar stresses border peace as a prerequisite for resuming the iconic rivalry”.
