Few sporting rivalries are as emotionally charged as India vs Pakistan cricket. But the rivalry has often been shaped not just by the players on the field, but also by terror attacks, political tensions, and financial compulsions. From the 2008 Mumbai attacks to the recent calls for boycott after Operation Sindoor, every India-Pakistan match has been played under the shadow of geopolitics and commerce.
Here’s a timeline of how politics and money have repeatedly collided in Indo-Pak cricket over the last two decades.
2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2009 bilateral freeze
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 changed cricketing ties forever. Just weeks earlier, India had hosted Pakistan for a Test and ODI series. But after the attacks—blamed on Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—the Indian government imposed a complete freeze on bilateral cricket.
Since then, no bilateral Test series has been played in India or Pakistan, and any cricketing contact has been restricted to ICC or ACC multi-nation tournaments. For BCCI, this meant walking away from lucrative bilateral TV rights deals that would have fetched hundreds of crores annually.
2017 Champions Trophy final: cricket vs security concerns
Despite the freeze, India and Pakistan clashed in ICC events. The 2017 Champions Trophy final in London was one of the most watched matches in cricket history, generating massive ad revenues and viewership.
But the build-up wasn’t smooth. Security concerns, diplomatic barbs, and boycott calls dominated headlines in India. Broadcasters, however, rejoiced as the final broke records with over 400 million viewers worldwide. It highlighted the paradox: even as political hostility grew, the India-Pakistan fixture remained cricket’s biggest money-spinner.
2019 World Cup: Pulwama attack sparks boycott debate
The Pulwama terror attack in February 2019, which killed 40 CRPF personnel, sparked nationwide anger in India. With the World Cup just months away, voices grew louder for boycotting Pakistan in the group stage.
The BCCI faced a dilemma: on one hand, public sentiment demanded no cricket with Pakistan, on the other, broadcasters and ICC contracts meant skipping the game could cost ₹300-400 crore in penalties and lost revenues. Eventually, India played Pakistan at Old Trafford, Manchester—and won convincingly. The match set global viewership records, proving again that money and contracts carried weight in BCCI’s decision-making.
2023 Asia Cup hybrid model: compromise at a cost
Ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup, Pakistan insisted on hosting the full tournament, but India refused to travel across the border citing security concerns. The stalemate forced the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to adopt a hybrid model—some matches in Pakistan, others in Sri Lanka.
While this avoided a direct boycott, it came with financial compromises. Broadcasters faced logistical costs, and the PCB claimed it lost over ₹120 crore in revenues due to India’s refusal to play in Pakistan. For BCCI, the hybrid model preserved its commercial interests while still bowing to political realities.
2025 Asia Cup in Dubai: Operation Sindoor and boycott calls
The latest flashpoint came in 2025, after the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response under Operation Sindoor, which flattened Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Muridke headquarters. With public anger at its peak, calls grew for India to boycott the Asia Cup clash against Pakistan in Dubai.
The BCCI ultimately went ahead with the match, but with what insiders called an “invisible boycott”—senior officials like Jay Shah skipped the game, even as the team fulfilled its obligation to play. Analysts estimated that a full boycott could have cost the BCCI ₹400-800 crore in short-term losses, and potentially ₹1,000 crore long-term if sponsors and broadcasters retaliated.
The paradox continues
From 2008 to 2025, the India-Pakistan rivalry has been less about cricketing contests and more about balancing national sentiment against financial realities. Every time politics has demanded a boycott, commerce has pulled in the opposite direction.
For fans, the fixture remains unmissable. For BCCI, it remains both its biggest asset and its biggest headache. And as Operation Sindoor shows, the story of India-Pakistan cricket will always be about much more than just bat and ball.
Disclaimer
This article discusses the financial and political backdrop of India-Pakistan cricket fixtures. The figures quoted are estimates based on public reports, historical data, and expert commentary. The subject is sensitive, and the article does not glorify or promote India vs Pakistan matches. It is intended for informational purposes only.
