Sports are entertaining, and at times, the expectations of various fans towards their favorite teams run deep. An example of this is the rivalry of India vs Pakistan in cricket. The two nations have a long history of facing off against each other in cricket, coupled with a high degree of support depicted by different fans from either side. The India versus Pakistan cricket rivalry is absolutely different in activities and expectations. Matches between these two teams are extremely awaited and powerfully contested at all times. Both countries have a massive following in terms of supporters of the game of cricket, thereby heightening the excitement in every match. As far as World Cup records are concerned, both India and Pakistan have registered victories in the event. On several occasions, the two teams have played against each other in World Cup cricket matches, with any match between the two teams being a highly hyped affair. A few unforgettable moments throughout the history of cricket were brought out in the matches between India and Pakistan in the World Cup. If anything, then largely speaking, the India vs. Pakistan cricket rivalry forms an attention-catcher for fans of not only these two nations but across borders. During these matches, history, passion, and excitements are ingredients that make them some of the most enlivening and iconic events in the world of cricket. Craze of India - Pakistan Matches Despite Political Conflicts The India-Pakistan rivalry in cricket is the most phenomenal anywhere in the world. Enrooted from various historical conflicts of the two nations since the Partition of British India back in the year 1947, matches played between them are incredibly intense with millions watching it. Notwithstanding interruptions by political conflicts like Indo-Pakistani wars (1965, 1971,1999), 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, cricket has also been viewed as a way to cool down diplomatic tensions between the countries. These matches draw a huge audience from both sides of the border, reflecting the ability of sports to unite people across borders. History of IND-PAK Cricket Rivalry Image Source: Scoreline The year 1947 marked the partition of British India, and with that, came the enmity towards the formation of the independent nations of India and Pakistan. That enmity spilled over to all fields, including sports. In the year 1948, Pakistan (PAK) became a part of international cricket, opening up the rivalry with India (IND). In 1952, the first Test series was played, marking the start of continuous competition through decades in the world of cricket between the two nations. Also Read | What is Slow Over Rate in Cricket? Rules and Penalty Explained Effects of Wars on Cricketing Relations Image Source: Pinterest While the Indo-Pak wars derailed cricket relations in 1965 and 1971, the escalating political tension called off the matches. These wars did invariably strain efforts at integrating the two nations through cricket—the ineffectiveness of cricketing diplomacy in the face of war had once again come to the fore. Despite all this, there were efforts made to use cricket as a diplomatic tool for bridge-building between the two nations; for instance, President Zia-ul-Haq's visit to watch a match in India in 1987. Matches Moved to Neutral Venues Image Source: CricTracker The political tensions throughout the late 1980s and 1990s forced India and Pakistan to play matches at neutral venues such as Sharjah and Toronto. This distance from their home grounds was compensated by big crowds and global interest; the contests exemplified Never-Dying Rivalry between the two Cricketing Nations. Inevitable remedial efforts undertaken in 1999 and 2003 endeavored to get cricket matches going and build goodwill between India and Pakistan. Even in Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan hosted the the tournament, but the matches of India were played in Sri Lanka as the BCCI denied to travel to Pakistan due to cross-border tensions. India vs Pakistan - Head to Head Stats (All Format) Thus far, India and Pakistan have played 207 international matches between them, out of which Pakistan has a better record against India in Tests and ODIs. Format Matches Won by India Won by Pakistan D/T/NR Test 59 9 12 38 One Day Internationals (ODIs) 135 57 73 5 T20 Intenationals (T20Is) 13 9 3 1 Overall 207 75 88 44 India vs Pakistan - Rivalry in 50 Overs Cricket World Cup Since 1975, there have been 8 India vs. Pakistan matches in the Cricket World Cup. The maiden meeting was in the 1992 CWC where Pakistan went on to win the trophy. Despite winning a World Cup, Pakistan has never turned up a victory against India in a World Cup match. Let's look back at some of the best India versus Pakistan World Cup matches. 1992 World Cup – India Wins by 43 Runs Image Source: Blogspot The two nations first locked horns with each other in World Cup cricket in the year 1992, at Sydney, Australia. India saw a total of 216/7, with Sachin Tendulkar being the not-out 54. Imran Khan, the captain of Pakistan, was dismissed without scoring a run. Sachin took the crucial wicket of Aamer Sohail off his ten overs, who seemed to be the top scorer of Pakistan. Thus, India won the match by 43 runs. 1996 World Cup – India Wins by 39 Runs Image Source: India Today The 1996 World Cup match between India and Pakistan is remembered for various reasons, but more so for the famous send-off that Venkatesh Prasad gave to Aamer Sohail after he was taunted having hit two consecutive fours. Chasing a target of 288, Pakistan started off in great fashion, reaching 84 in the first 10 overs. But India bounced back into the match, and Pakistan ended their innings at 248/9 to lose the match by 39 runs. This win sealed India's 2-0 lead over Pakistan in Cup encounters. 1999 World Cup – India Wins by 47 Runs Image Source: Sportskeeda Venkatesh Prasad turned out to be a champion for India against Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup match held at Old Trafford in Manchester. Though the conditions did swing a bit, he did make good use of his medium pace and ended with impressive figures of 5/27. Finally, India won that match by 47 runs over the rivals. Also Read | Fastest ODI Centuries by Indian Players: Top 10 Blazing Innings 2003 World Cup – India Wins by 6 Wickets Image Source: Cricket Addictor The same was continued in a high-stakes match in Centurion, South Africa, where India went on to retain the winning streak over Pakistan in the World Cup. India restricted Pakistan to 273/7 after bowling first. Quite fittingly, after early breakthroughs taken by Shoaib Akhtar, Sachin Tendulkar's masterful 98 saw India home, winning the match by 6 wickets with 26 balls to spare. 2011 World Cup Semi–Final– India Wins by 29 Runs Image Source: Insider The 2011 World Cup semi-final was hosted at Mohali, India, and pitted the host nation—-in the favourite. The Indian team was asked to bat first, and with Sachin Tendulkar's 85 and Suresh Raina's 36, it set up a target of 260/9. Though Misbah-ul-Haq batted well for 56, Pakistan could manage only 231 in their run chase. This meant that India won the game by 29 runs and propelled themselves into the final, which they went ahead and won. 2015 World Cup – India Wins by 76 Runs Image Source: The Cricket Monthly During the 2015 World Cup, at the Adelaide Oval Ground, India set a target of 301 runs with the help of a century by Virat Kohli. Pakistan was always struggles in the chase as regular fall of wickets never allowed them to get the momentum and eventually gets bowled out for 224. India won the match comprehensively by 76 runs, and their record against Pakistan in a World Cup remained unbroken. 2019 World Cup – India Wins by 89 Runs (DLS Method) Image Source: Flipboard The seventh World Cup encounter between India and Pakistan took place at Old Trafford in a rain-affected match. India posted 336/5, thanks to Rohit Sharma's brilliant hundred of 140. Pakistan's target was revised to 302 runs in 40 overs due to rain. Pakistan could not get the target and finished at 212/6 to give India an 89-run win. 2023 World Cup – India Won the Biggest Match Ever Image Source: KhelTalk At the world's biggest cricket ground, the Narendra Modi Stadium, in a 2023 World Cup match, India held a really highly-anticipated match against arch-rivals Pakistan. Batting first, Pakistan threatened with a blazing start, but bowlers from India made sure that from 155/2, the scoreboard would tumble down to 191 all out in 42.5 overs. Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a scintillating 86 off 63 balls, as India won its 8th successive World Cup victory over Pakistan, making it now 8-0 in favour of India. India vs Pakistan - Rivalry in T20 World Cups Image Source: Rediff The first encounter between India and Pakistan in a T20 World Cup came in 2007. MS Dhoni-led young Indian team faced off Misbah-ul-Haq's Pakistan. The game ended in a draw, and India emerged victorious through a bowl out. They clashed again with each other in the final of the same tournament. The 2007 T20 World Cup final was an exciting contest, and India kept cool to win the first T20 World Cup. India never lost any T20 World Cup match against Pakistan during the next 13 years. In 2021, this record was broken by Babar Azam, who led from the front to give Pakistan their first win against India in any World Cup format as they humbled India by 10 wickets, shocking the cricket world. As of T20 World Cup 2024, the record stand 7-1 in the favour of India. Conclusion For sure, no rivalry would ever be as strong as between India and Pakistan in cricket; the energy and passion never seem to fall whenever those two countries meet. Indeed, it has been reported recently that tickets for the India-Pakistan match that took place this year's T20 World Cup in New York are selling for some Rs 1.5 crore on illegal websites. It attests to how much the people want this game—one of the most venomous sporting rivalries ever. Also Read | Top 5 Most Successful Captains in Indian Cricket History: Leading From the Front