NEW DELHI — There is no other sports rivalry quite like that between India and Pakistan. As the two nations prepare for a cricket match in Dubai on Sunday, the competition is infused with 78 years of animosity, political tensions, and a surge of patriotic sentiments from millions of fans.
Cricket-obsessed, both India and Pakistan are set to compete in the 50-over format for the prestigious eight-nation Champions Trophy tournament that kicked off on Wednesday in Pakistan. While six countries have sent teams to Pakistan for the event, India has chosen not to participate there, exercising its significant influence over the International Cricket Council, the sport’s global authority.
While Indian cricket officials have not issued a public statement regarding their refusal to travel to Pakistan, many have indicated that the decision is rooted in concerns over security. As a result, India will conduct all its matches, including the highly anticipated one against Pakistan, at a neutral site in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Cricket has transcended sport, representing national identity for both India and Pakistan, and every matchup is keenly watched by over a billion spectators. The upcoming game occurs at a time when tensions between the countries are particularly high due to entrenched animosity over Kashmir, a contentious region that has been the focal point of two wars between the neighboring nations. Each country claims the entire territory, even though both administer portions of it.
Tensions have also escalated in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which India attributes to militants based in Pakistan—a claim Islamabad vehemently refutes. Consequently, the political atmosphere has influenced sporting relations, leading to a suspension of bilateral cricket competitions since 2008. Most encounters between the teams have occurred in global tournaments to ensure that they face each other, given their long-standing rivalry.
While the Indian team has not visited Pakistan since 2008, they hosted Pakistan during the 2023 World Cup in India, where the Pakistani team played in front of a seemingly hostile audience at a stadium named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The concept of “cricket diplomacy” has occasionally relaxed the tensions, yet under Modi’s administration, the prospect of warming relations seems dim. High-ranking ministers have asserted that the Indian team would not travel to Pakistan for matches.
Fans expressing support for the Pakistani team in India and disputed Kashmir have faced legal repercussions, with some experiencing police complaints or even imprisonment. Sharda Ugra, a prominent Indian sports writer, shared that cricket serves as a potent tool for the current government, fostering resentment toward Pakistan. She noted that despite fan enthusiasm for more frequent matches, the competitive spirit has become a casualty of intense politics.
The anticipated match between India and Pakistan is expected to attract viewership numbers that eclipse events such as the Super Bowl. Ugra labels it “the greatest sports rivalry in the world,” underscoring the immense interest from fans. At a match earlier this year in India, viewership estimates reached approximately 400 million across various platforms, while the Super Bowl averaged around 127.7 million viewers in the U.S.
For the match this Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, similar expectations surround the viewership figures. The event promises significant financial gains; tickets sold out in mere minutes, and lucrative broadcasting deals have been secured.
Media outlets in both countries are eager to capitalize on the event, providing extensive coverage and putting out commercials appealing to national pride while playfully mocking one another. In both India and Pakistan, local authorities and businesses are organizing to showcase the match on giant screens in public areas, as well as in shopping malls.
Among fans, this rivalry holds immense significance, and many are eager for more clashes. Anil Sawant, a cricket coach from Mumbai, expressed that these matches should occur more frequently. As he prepares to watch the game with friends, he relishes the opportunity to connect over their shared passion for cricket.
In Pakistan’s Rawalpindi, Mohammad Ahmed, a 27-year-old accountant, is set to celebrate the match with a gathering of friends at his home, intending to serve them chicken biryani along with French fries and soft drinks, to enhance their viewing experience.
The excitement around this iconic clash is palpable as fans on both sides anticipate what the match will bring, reflecting the profound cultural and emotional connections tied to the sport.
