The India-Pakistan cricket story: a timeline
How India and Pakistan's cricketing ties have panned out over the decades, on and off the field
Jayaditya Gupta, Alagappan Muthu & Shashank Kishore
10-Dec-2015
Cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been decided by political compulsions and governmental decisions since the two countries gained independence. Here's a list of the breaks in play, and what happened between them.
First series
Took place in India in 1952, with Lala Amarnath as the home captain and Abdul Kardar leading Pakistan.
Took place in India in 1952, with Lala Amarnath as the home captain and Abdul Kardar leading Pakistan.
Highlights of play: Pakistan's introduction to Tests was not a happy one: they lost by an innings and 70 runs in Delhi. They did hit back in Lucknow, though. Two subsequent series, in 1954-55 and 1960-61, with the hosts alternating.
Break
From 1961-1978, as the countries engaged in two wars, in 1965 and 1971.
From 1961-1978, as the countries engaged in two wars, in 1965 and 1971.
Resumption
In 1978-79 in Pakistan, with both countries being run by parties or individuals not in charge during previous conflicts. There were several subsequent series in both countries, and ODIs staged in Sharjah, right up till 1999.
In 1978-79 in Pakistan, with both countries being run by parties or individuals not in charge during previous conflicts. There were several subsequent series in both countries, and ODIs staged in Sharjah, right up till 1999.
Highlights of play: Pakistan were off the blocks in a blink, sealing a 2-0 Test win with a chase of 164 in 24.5 overs in Karachi. India bounced back, with Kapil Dev's emergence, fashioning a 2-0 victory in 1979-80. The baton was exchanged again in 1982-83, Pakistan unstoppable Imran Khan's leadership.
On the one-day front, India followed up being crowned World Champions with a 2-0 series win at home. The assassination of India's prime minister, Indira Gandhi, led to the 1984-85 tour being called off with an ODI and a Test to spare.
In 1986-87, Pakistan secured their first Test series win in India. On to 1989-90, and the debut of two greats of the game: Sachin Tendulkar and Waqar Younis. Rising political tension meant India would not tour Pakistan for the next eight years, though the sides met in two World Cups and at neutral venues for bilateral series. The deadlock finally broke in 1997-98, when India toured and played a short ODI series which served as an opener to their Golden Jubilee celebrations.
In 1998-99, in Pakistan's first Test series with India in nine years, following some ugly incidents, Anil Kumble made history with his 10 for 74 in Delhi.
Break
From 1999, when political ties were disrupted by the Kargil conflict, till early 2004. They did, however, play each other in the 2003 World Cup and a couple of other multi-team tournaments.
From 1999, when political ties were disrupted by the Kargil conflict, till early 2004. They did, however, play each other in the 2003 World Cup and a couple of other multi-team tournaments.
Resumption
March 2004 in Pakistan, after the two governments initiated peace talks.
March 2004 in Pakistan, after the two governments initiated peace talks.
Highlights of play: India landed in Pakistan for five ODIs and three Tests, with India's then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee charging Sourav Ganguly and his team to "don't just win matches, win hearts too". India won in both formats, and India's cricketers and fans, who were granted special visas for the series, later raved about the Pakistani hospitality. Three Test series followed, alternating between the two countries.
Break
From 2008 to 2012. The Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 led to a deterioration in political ties between the two countries, and the Lahore attack in March 2009 brought an end to international cricket in Pakistan.
From 2008 to 2012. The Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 led to a deterioration in political ties between the two countries, and the Lahore attack in March 2009 brought an end to international cricket in Pakistan.
Resumption, and another break
In 2012-13, in India, with Pakistan touring for a brief limited-overs series. On either side of that series, they met in a few multi-team tournaments including the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, but no further bilateral series have taken place, with the Indian board saying it would defer to the government's wishes.
In 2012-13, in India, with Pakistan touring for a brief limited-overs series. On either side of that series, they met in a few multi-team tournaments including the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, but no further bilateral series have taken place, with the Indian board saying it would defer to the government's wishes.