India, Pakistan match-up confirmed for 2023 World Cup

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will witness yet another highly anticipated clash when India take on Pakistan in October.

The much-awaited encounter will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday October 15 and will be the eighth meeting between the two sides at a men’s World Cup.

India and Pakistan have faced each other seven times previously – in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

The only time they didn’t meet since that first match in 1992 was in 2007, which was a disastrous campaign for both teams as they crashed out of the tournament in the opening round.

India have won all of the previous seven encounters, a record they extended to the T20 World Cups as well until recently. 

That streak was broken in 2021, only for India to reclaim bragging rights with a memorable victory in the 2022 edition with a dramatic chase at the MCG on the back of an unforgettable knock from Virat Kohli.

The last time these teams met in the 50-over World Cup was in 2019 at Old Trafford with India posting a massive 336/5 on the back of a fantastic 113-ball 140 by Rohit Sharma. 

A smart bowling performance then helped restrict Pakistan to just 212/6 in a rain-marred match that India won by 89 runs (DLS method).

Even more memorable is perhaps the game in 2011, another India home World Cup, which resulted in a thrilling semi-final clash in Mohali. Sachin Tendulkar starred for the hosts with 85 and their bowlers put up a united front to bowl out Pakistan and gain a 29-run victory.

With the jinx now broken in the T20 World Cup, Pakistan will be looking to emulate the same in the 50-over format come October 15.

The Narendra Modi Stadium, which boasts of a seating capacity of 132,000 is expected to be sold out. The opening game of the World Cup will also take place at the same venue on October 5 as does the final on November 19. (ICC)