The Impressive TimesThe cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most intense and widely followed in the world. While Pakistan historically holds an upper hand in One Day Internationals (ODIs), recent years have seen a notable shift in momentum. The last time Pakistan defeated India in an ODI was during the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2017, where they secured a comprehensive victory. However, since that encounter, India has dominated the contests between the two sides.
Post-2017, India and Pakistan have clashed six times in major tournaments such as the Asia Cup and World Cup. Out of these encounters, India emerged victorious on five occasions, while one match, played in Pallekele during the 2023 Asia Cup, was washed out due to rain. This impressive run marks India’s longest unbeaten streak against their arch-rivals in 50-over cricket, highlighting their growing consistency and dominance on the global stage.
Looking at the broader picture since the start of 2011, the two teams have faced each other in 15 ODIs. India has won 10 of these matches, while Pakistan has managed to claim victory in only four. This stark contrast in results reflects the evolving dynamics of the rivalry, with India consistently outperforming their neighbors in high-stakes encounters.
Despite India’s recent success, Pakistan still holds a superior overall head-to-head record in ODIs, with 73 wins compared to India’s 57. This statistical advantage, however, is largely a result of their dominance in the earlier decades of ODI cricket. The scenario might have been different, or perhaps even more balanced, had the two teams continued to engage in regular bilateral series, as was common in the past.
Political tensions and diplomatic challenges have led to the suspension of bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan since 2012. As a result, their encounters are now limited to multinational tournaments, adding even more significance to each face-off. These rare clashes capture the imagination of cricket fans worldwide, often transcending the sport itself.
As both teams prepare to face each other in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. While Pakistan aims to break their losing streak, India looks to extend its dominance and inch closer to narrowing the overall head-to-head gap.
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