[PICTURES/VIDEOS] To those who think the India-Pakistan rivalry is dead...

[Vikram1989]

This is a good point.


I'm guessing the real issue is broadcasters like the path of least resistance. We can all agree it's a breeze to just toss in that Indo-Pak game as a group match, cash in the 15-20% lottery ticket, and know the tournament is well on its way to being profitable.

This is probably what makes them not want to go nuclear in cutting the PCB.

I am more interested in maths and profits instead of politics. So I will not suggest to take out pak .But pcb instead of saying, it's root cause for 50 percent earning with one single match. it should spin some positive narrative around the match which no one can't deny.As both fans dont want to loose the match and disrupt the momentum/mood, "Can't Loose" match kind of narrative should be built.Probability of mcg 22 kind of tight match is very less than 23 ahmedabad kind of whimper.so my suggestion for both icc and pcb/bcci will be to treat that match as a good solid stock/catalyst to engage the audience rather than killing it.

 

[kingusama92]

I am more interested in maths and profits instead of politics. So I will not suggest to take out pak .But pcb instead of saying, it's root cause for 50 percent earning with one single match. it should spin some positive narrative around the match which no one can't deny.As both fans dont want to loose the match and disrupt the momentum/mood, "Can't Loose" match kind of narrative should be built.Probability of mcg 22 kind of tight match is very less than 23 ahmedabad kind of whimper.so my suggestion for both icc and pcb/bcci will be to treat that match as a good solid stock/catalyst to engage the audience rather than killing it.

Definitely should be a strong marketing play.

One option can be to have it as the last group match in the round. This can let them build the narrative not only using history but also what's been happening in the tournament up to that point.

It could have the effect of a knockout match depending on how both teams do in the group stage. You also get the best version of both teams as they get a few matches under their belt before meeting up.

 

[Vikram1989]

Definitely should be a strong marketing play.

One option can be to have it as the last group match in the round. This can let them build the narrative not only using history but also what's been happening in the tournament up to that point.

It could have the effect of a knockout match depending on how both teams do in the group stage. You also get the best version of both teams as they get a few matches under their belt before meeting up.

We can have a last match only in case of two teams are actually good and have a good chance of progress at the cost of others. In longer fornat , pak is not good.you can take example of pak vs eng in wc 23.its was good for nothing .same case in 19 wc last match too.In t20s both are good .imagine pak/india have to win last match like 24 or 21 t20 wc scenarios .Icc should be thinking on its feet than acting as a standard template .Its too much to ask them

 

[Fanboy375]

Before mid 80s Ind vs Pak was close and that is where the hype came from.After that and until 2000 Pak dominated a lot.One of the reason behind it is that unlike Ind Pao showed a rapid growth in power in cricket.Late 80s Pak team was considered a good team while Ind that time was below average team.90s Pak was the best team just behind Aus and SA.WI in that period had little edge over Ind.Another reason is that some Indian player used to do match fixing when they play in Sharjah Stadium.In 2000s Pak and Ind were equal and the rivalry resurrected again.But it is after that when Ind started to dominated.Problem is Pak never shown steady growth in 21st century unlike Ind.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sanjay Manjrekar speaking during an interview:

“The scoreline doesn’t give you a clear picture of what has happened in the middle. Although Australia are leading, India didn’t give them anything easily. It is the most intense and closely fought rivalry in the world of cricket at the moment."

“We talk about the India-Pakistan rivalry, but it has become a damp squib; you can’t say the same thing about India vs Australia matches."

“The contests between India and Australia are watched by everyone and it is a great advert for Test cricket.”

 

[BouncerGuy]

Zaheer Abbas speaking during a show:

"Whenever India and Pakistan clash, the whole world stops to watch, no matter where they are."

"All the countries in the world are playing matches with each other, but why are India and Pakistan not playing them? I don't understand why these two nations are not playing bilateral series. When the people of India breathe, they come to Pakistan. When the people of Pakistan breathe, they come to India. But they are not playing the match in front of you. I don't understand why it is like this."

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Speaking about the rivalry between India and Pakistan Yuvraj Singh said:

"No matter the format, an India-Pakistan game always feels like a final—whether it’s a group match, a semifinal, or the championship itself. The pressure is immense. You don’t want to lose because it sets the tone for the tournament. Winning builds momentum and confidence. I remember the last time I played in the Champions Trophy, we beat Pakistan in the first game, but they beat us in the final. So, nothing is guaranteed. But starting with a win on such a big stage, with the whole world watching, is crucial,”

 

[sweep_shot]

The way ICC/BCCI want to milk it, it definitely is not dead by any stretch of imagination.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Indo-Pak rivalry can never die. No matter wat field you pick, Indo-pak clash is always among the most hyped ones.

 

[Bhaijaan]

An ICC match between Bharat and Pakistan is the biggest thing in sports.

I don’t care if it’s FIFA, Champions league final, Super Bowl, Wimbledon final, NBA finals, Wrestlemania, UFC whatever whatever bro.

It’s Bharat vs Pakistan
Almost 2 billion people.

Nothing gonna ever top that

 

[sweep_shot]

An ICC match between Bharat and Pakistan is the biggest thing in sports.

I don’t care if it’s FIFA, Champions league final, Super Bowl, Wimbledon final, NBA finals, Wrestlemania, UFC whatever whatever bro.

It’s Bharat vs Pakistan
Almost 2 billion people.

Nothing gonna ever top that

Actually, FIFA World Cup final is the best sporting event in the world. Football is loved by entire planet. Cricket is mostly a desi sport.

Anyway, PAK-IND is the biggest rivalry in cricket. No doubt. That's why BCCICC desperately want to milk it as much as they can.

 

[Devadwal]

The way ICC/BCCI want to milk it, it definitely is not dead by any stretch of imagination.

Pakistan is host but somehow BCCI want to milk it . Lol

BCCI won't get any Penny from This match but ICC and PCB

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan is host but somehow BCCI want to milk it . Lol

BCCI won't get any Penny from This match but ICC and PCB

Indian companies with ads
Indian owned businesses
Airlines
Hotels

All depending on this clash.

 

[uppercut]

Actually, FIFA World Cup final is the best sporting event in the world. Football is loved by entire planet. Cricket is mostly a desi sport.

Anyway, PAK-IND is the biggest rivalry in cricket. No doubt. That's why BCCICC desperately want to milk it as much as they can.

Yeah that's why the last bilateral series between Ind and Pak was held JUST 12 years ago... the desperation is very clearly visible.

 

[Fanboy375]

An ICC match between Bharat and Pakistan is the biggest thing in sports.

I don’t care if it’s FIFA, Champions league final, Super Bowl, Wimbledon final, NBA finals, Wrestlemania, UFC whatever whatever bro.

It’s Bharat vs Pakistan
Almost 2 billion people.

Nothing gonna ever top that

What about neutral viewers?Like people from Ban,Aus etc

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What about neutral viewers?Like people from Ban,Aus etc

Don't know about other countries, but Pakistan/India games are hyped up in England as well. Maybe because we have a decent size desi community here, but in sports circles any sort of local rivalry is gold, and Pakistan/India is probably the premier rivalry in a smaller sport like cricket.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Rivals not enemies

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[Cricket Warrior]

Sunil Gavaskar on Imran Khan:

"I met Imran Khan in London, told him that I was retiring, Imran Khan said you can't do that, asked why, he said Pakistan will come to India next year, I have to beat the Indian team that you are in."

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

For a while, it felt like the most intense rivalry in world cricket had gone soft. The blood-pumping showdowns of the past gave way to heartwarming hugs, jersey exchanges, and social media praise between India and Pakistan players. Virat Kohli praising Babar Azam. Mohammad Rizwan hugging Indian players after a match. Rohit Sharma and Shaheen Afridi laughing mid-game.

It was… nice.
Too nice, perhaps.

But it has shifted in recent times. The air feels heavier, the eyes more steely, the celebrations louder — and fans across both nations can sense it: the India-Pakistan rivalry is back on the boil.
So, is the India-Pakistan rivalry finally back on track? If by “on track” we mean emotions, abuses, tension, nationalism, and nerve-wracking cricket.. And on top of that No Handshakes.

 

[Hitman]

The rivalry won't die despite how weak either of Pakistan or India becomes.

 

[TexasRattlesnake]

The rivalry won't die despite how weak either of Pakistan or India becomes.

It will be political yes but then again look at the India-Pakistan hockey "rivalry" nowadays. It will basically be that.

At some point Pakistani fans won't even engage and Indian fans will take some enjoyment but not too much.

 

[kron]

It’s been long dead
In real life
And in cricket
@sweep_shot

 

[kron]

The way ICC/BCCI want to milk it, it definitely is not dead by any stretch of imagination.

In real life it is. Not a rivalry tbh. No match for India

 

[Hikaru]

For a while, it felt like the most intense rivalry in world cricket had gone soft. The blood-pumping showdowns of the past gave way to heartwarming hugs, jersey exchanges, and social media praise between India and Pakistan players. Virat Kohli praising Babar Azam. Mohammad Rizwan hugging Indian players after a match. Rohit Sharma and Shaheen Afridi laughing mid-game.

It was… nice.
Too nice, perhaps.

But it has shifted in recent times. The air feels heavier, the eyes more steely, the celebrations louder — and fans across both nations can sense it: the India-Pakistan rivalry is back on the boil.
So, is the India-Pakistan rivalry finally back on track? If by “on track” we mean emotions, abuses, tension, nationalism, and nerve-wracking cricket.. And on top of that No Handshakes.

It so much worse now. Earlier BCCI boycotted Pakistan but never took steps to hit them back. Now I believe BCCI may actually take an offensive stance. Crushing PSL could be a start.

 

[TexasRattlesnake]

It so much worse now. Earlier BCCI boycotted Pakistan but never took steps to hit them back. Now I believe BCCI may actually take an offensive stance. Crushing PSL could be a start.

No Pak players in any IPL affiliated leagues as well.

I think Trinbago has a few. They need to be kicked out.

Also anyone working for PCB/PSL gets permabanned from Indian cricket/IPL/IPL affiliates

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Rivarly is dead.

Request Indians to put their TV rights money elsewhere, please.

Pakistan is focused on providing security to the Gulf and maintaining the integrity of Asia.

India is focused on TV rights and IPL cheer leaders.

No common ground between the two nations to have a rivalry, despite Indian attempts to manufacture and maintain one.

 

[Hikaru]

Rivarly is dead.

Request Indians to put their TV rights money elsewhere, please.

Pakistan is focused on providing security to the Gulf and maintaining the integrity of Asia.

India is focused on TV rights and IPL cheer leaders.

No common ground between the two nations to have a rivalry, despite Indian attempts to manufacture and maintain one.

Please for the sake of your martyrs, tell your TV and board to go to to hell and take their dollars with them.

Good luck bhai, will be nice to work together for a change. <3

 

[Hikaru]

No Pak players in any IPL affiliated leagues as well.

I think Trinbago has a few. They need to be kicked out.

Also anyone working for PCB/PSL gets permabanned from Indian cricket/IPL/IPL affiliates

But that would turn the retiree league into a local league. Harsh punishment, but I guess PCB and Pakistani cricketers kinda deserve it.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

No Pak players in any IPL affiliated leagues as well.

I think Trinbago has a few. They need to be kicked out.

Also anyone working for PCB/PSL gets permabanned from Indian cricket/IPL/IPL affiliates

There is a lot of bluster from the Indian side but the response fizzles out quicker than failed operation sindoor.

India huffed and puffed before the Asia Cup, but the end result of the manufactured outrage was no handshake, even that was after shaking the hand of th eman who told the world he would be up for nuking you. India is all bark ( lots of barking to be fair, they are world leaders at this) and no bite.

These fantasies of your work well in your family group chat, bro, but some advice, don't present them in front of sensible people.

 

[TexasRattlesnake]

There is a lot of bluster from the Indian side but the response fizzles out quicker than failed operation sindoor.

India huffed and puffed before the Asia Cup, but the end result of the manufactured outrage was no handshake, even that was after shaking the hand of th eman who told the world he would be up for nuking you. India is all bark ( lots of barking to be fair, they are world leaders at this) and no bite.

These fantasies of your work well in your family group chat, bro, but some advice, don't present them in front of sensible people.

How many Pak players in the SA20 or the Hundred?

And I like how you omitted the two on-field humiliations and that entire Pycroft Saga lol.

But then omitting their losses is part of Pakistani behaviour.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Basically Indian captain declared that rivalry is dead in the presser.