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India vs Pakistan has always been a high-voltage clash, and it has been one of the most watched matches during major events. However, the India vs Pakistan rivalry has been one-sided in recent times, all in favour of the Men in Blue. They have dominated this fixture across major tournaments, like World Cups, Asia Cups and Champions Trophy.
However, the two sides haven’t met for any bilateral series post 2013 due to diplomatic tensions, and now the International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to organise a trilateral or quadrilateral series involving arch political rivals India and Pakistan. This could be a big series that could be played at a neutral venue where neither team has any problem.
India vs Pakistan tri-series on the cards?
As per reports from ARY News, the apex body is planning to bring up this trilateral or quadrilateral series idea where the fans can see an India and Pakistan match, in the forthcoming meeting in Dubai, which is scheduled in the ICC seminar on September 22–23 to discuss international scheduling and the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the 2027–2031 cycle.
Previously, it was reported that India have expressed their eagerness to the ICC to organise more tri-and quadrilateral series, which were very common in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. The same thing is part of the discussion point during the upcoming ICC meeting, as they feel that bringing back these series will help to gain more revenue than bilaterals.
Why does the India vs Pakistan bilateral series not take place?
Pakistan have been seeking to host more India vs Pakistan matches outside the major tournaments in a neutral venue due to their diplomatic tensions. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hasn’t got the green signal from the Indian government due to the frigid relationship between the two countries, and recent incidents have made it worse.
The last India vs Pakistan game in a tri-series was held back in 2008 during the Kitply Cup, which also included hosts Bangladesh; since then, they haven’t met against each other in a tri-series. India vs Pakistan bilateral series was last played in 2013, when the Men in Green won the ODI series, and the T20I series was drawn.
Why did India refuse to shake hands with Pakistan players?
The two teams' relations have worsened after the Pahalgam attack in 2025, where several Indian citizens were killed by a terror group, and after that, during the Asia Cup 2025, India captain Suryakumar Yadav and the BCCI decided not to do the customary handshake during the toss and even post-match.
The Men in Blue also refused to take the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the chairman took the trophy away with him, and SKY’s side celebrated without the trophy.
Later on, the PCB refused to play the match against India in the T20 World Cup 2026, after their government restricted but eventually took the field and lost the match yet again.
