For millions of passionate cricket fans in India and Pakistan, an upcoming World Cup clash is far from just another game. This highly anticipated T20-format match, expected to draw more viewers than the Super Bowl, is deeply intertwined with national pride and the fear of national embarrassment.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan on the cricket field is seldom separated from their tumultuous, often violent shared history. In fact, it has grown particularly heated recently. Following a prolonged, escalating conflict last year that brought both nations to the brink of war, there’s been little progress in easing diplomatic tensions.
Just last week, the match itself was in doubt. Pakistan’s government had initially forbidden its players from competing against India, citing solidarity with Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi team had been expelled from the World Cup after refusing to play in India due to security concerns. However, after extensive high-level government negotiations, Pakistan ultimately reversed its stance.
Here’s a deeper look into why this stands as one of the fiercest and most financially rewarding sporting rivalries globally:
A Deep-Rooted History of Conflict
The relationship between these two nations has seldom been peaceful since the tumultuous British colonial partition of India in 1947, which led to the creation of Muslim-majority Pakistan. Since then, they have engaged in multiple wars, developed nuclear arsenals, and remain locked in a contentious dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.
A major source of tension in recent decades has been attacks by militant groups. India has consistently accused Pakistan of backing groups responsible for terrorist attacks within its borders, an accusation Pakistan refutes.
Bilateral cricket matches between the two nations have largely been on hold since 2008, following a horrific attack in Mumbai by Pakistani militants that claimed over 160 lives. Conversely, Pakistan has also accused India of supporting militant groups operating on its territory, which India denies. Last year, a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir quickly escalated into military hostilities.
Despite the halt in bilateral series, India and Pakistan regularly clash in international tournaments, including the ongoing World Cup. These encounters are typically held in neutral countries, with Sri Lanka hosting the upcoming Sunday match.
Given the minimal recent improvement in diplomatic ties, few anticipate any friendly exchanges between the players on Sunday. When these teams last met just four months after last year’s conflict, Indian players notably declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts.
The Enormous Stakes: Money and Viewership
Even amid strained government relations, fan enthusiasm in both countries for these matches remains incredibly high. This fervent interest translates into immense profitability for broadcasters, the national cricket boards, and the International Cricket Council, the sport’s global governing body.
As the world’s most populous nation, India is cricket’s undeniable superpower and largest market. No other fixture captivates audiences quite like a match against Pakistan. The upcoming Sunday game is projected to attract approximately 325 million viewers, significantly surpassing the Super Bowl’s record of 127.7 million.
Although exact figures vary, reports suggest that a single World Cup match between India and Pakistan can generate tens of millions of dollars. Analysts often note that these substantial financial incentives are powerful enough to outweigh any nationalistic or political pressures that might otherwise prevent the two nations from playing each other in cricket.
Cricket as a Diplomatic Bridge
Despite the intense rivalry, the shared passion for cricket has occasionally served as a conduit for diplomacy between India and Pakistan. Leaders from both nations have leveraged the backdrop of a cricket match to initiate discussions and explore avenues for improving their strained relationship.
For example, in 1987, then-Pakistani President Zia-ul-Haq traveled to India to witness a cricket match and engage in talks with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, at a period when cross-border tensions were particularly high.
Similarly, in 2005, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf visited India to attend a match alongside Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Six years later, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also met Mr. Singh at a cricket stadium, a gesture aimed at fostering better relations between the two countries.