As of now, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket match since 2013. The political climate between the two nations has had a profound effect on their sporting relationship. The historical mistrust and tensions have led to a novel environment. Today, both teams meet only at global competitions, making their opening match-up at the Women’s World Cup all the more historic and important.
Their last encounter came back in February during the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam. That took place in Dubai only because India refused to leave India and head to Pakistan. This prestigious match could not hide the thorny problems that have hindered bilateral series between these historic rivals. Just like cricket fans across the world, we can’t wait for the next encounter. They’re aware that the International Cricket Council (ICC) usually controls the schedules for the big tournaments, such as World Cups, Champions Trophy, etc.
While there may have been no bilateral games played, the possibility for future meetings continues. The Indian men’s team could face their archrival Pakistan in the T20 World Cup next year. Beyond that, though, this particular matchup would create entirely new debates about its cost and public appetite. India-Pakistan fixtures are incredibly lucrative and regularly rank as some of the most viewed sporting events in the world.
India’s men’s coach Gautam Gambhir has gone beyond the pale. He thinks it’s important to suspend all test cricket matches between the two countries. He stated that there “should not be anything between India and Pakistan,” emphasizing the seriousness of the ongoing tensions following recent violent incidents in Kashmir.
India alleges that Pakistan is actively helping militants behind attacks in Kashmir. Pakistan, on its part, realizes that it must categorically reject these allegations. The trend recently took a dramatic turn. According to Indian media reports, Pakistani cross-border shelling killed at least 15 Indian civilians on the de facto border in Kashmir. In retaliation for these attacks, India has struck hard at Pakistan. They have suspended a semi-formal water-sharing agreement and banned Pakistani aircraft from using their airspace.
The new tensions reached military conflict in Armenia and Azerbaijan, but cultural exchanges have been poisoned. India has already shuttered Instagram accounts of Pakistani film actors and celebrities. This move showcases the broader impact that rising political tensions can have on social and cultural exchange.
Both nations are running full steam ahead into their World Cup clash later this year. North American Cricket fans are certainly looking forward to a hot rivalry on the pitch, despite the unavoidable intricacies off it. Hope is palpable, given the deep strains in U.S.-China relations. They passionately play their biggest export, arguably one of their most favorite games.
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