Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has shared his feelings for the first time about the future of India vs Pakistan international cricket matches after the Pahalgam Attack.

For a long time, former Indian cricketer and present Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly opposed Indian international cricket meetings against Pakistan. Recently, the Pahalgam terror attack took away 26 tourists' lives and also injured 20 tourists. Since then, the Indian government has taken many strict actions against Pakistan, including restricting many business ties. 

There are also rumours that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will appeal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) not to put India and Pakistan in the same group for any future international cricket tournaments. While there has been no international bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan since the 2012-13 season, they only face each other in international tournaments like the ICC and ACC tournaments. While they haven't met in the Final of the ICC World Test Championship, they haven't faced each other in this Test competition yet. 

Gautam Gambhir about India-Pakistan cricket match: Absolutely no

During the ABP India At 2047 Summit, when the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was asked about India-Pakistan cricket relations after the Pahalgam Attack, Gambhir had the straight answer, "Absolutely no." 

The Indian head coach strongly opposed any India-Pakistan cricket matches, even in tournaments like the ICC or ACC. However, Gambhir has pointed out that it is ultimately the government's decision. 

Gambhir claimed, "Ultimately this is government's call whether we play them or not. I have said this before also, no cricket match or Bollywood or any other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens."

WATCH: Gautam Gambhir reveals real contributor behind India winning Champions Trophy 2025

Will Gautam Gambhir talk about it with the BCCI?

The Indian head coach was also asked if he would talk about this matter to the BCCI soon. Gambhir claimed that this wasn't under his jurisdiction, and he would support any decision from the government.

Gambhir added, "This is not up to me, this is for BCCI and more importantly the government to decide whether we should play them or not. Whatever decision they make, we should be absolutely fine with it and not politicise it." 

❗Gautam Gambhir: "India shouldn't PLAY against Pakistan, even in ICC events, until terrorism ends."

— Do you AGREE with him...? pic.twitter.com/AuzvLCrzjz

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) May 6, 2025

The history of cricket between India and Pakistan is one of intense emotions and competition, a level of drama that often transcends sport. The match-ups between the two teams are not only highly technical events of expertise that have happened on the pitch, but they create multiple moments, in the case of cricket, that will be revered for generations. Below are the top five moments from these competitions.

1. Virat Kohli's Melbourne Miracle, T20 World Cup 2022

The T20 World Cup (group stage) match between India and Pakistan at Melbourne in 2022 was riveting, though surely not the best for the Indian fans up to the final ball of the match. After Pakistan put up a score of 159/8, India found themselves at 31/4. However, Virat Kohli stepped onto the field, and on the back of his 82 off 53 deliveries, India came through with a victory. The moment that sealed the estranged victory was when Kohli hit two sixes off Haris Rauf, whose second six was what some are calling a "genius" lofted cover drive. After hitting six runs to win the match off the last ball, Kohli's dramatic finishing and the battle that preceded it became one of the best-remembered moments of his illustrious career.

2. Misbah's Scoop, Sreesanth's Catch, T20 World Cup Final 2007

The T20 World Cup Final in Johannesburg against Pakistan for India was tense for all cricket fans, with the climax being off the last ball of the match. After taking itself to 157, Pakistan was required to chase down 13 runs off the final over, with MS Dhoni making a gamble to give the over to Joginder Sharma. Amidst the drama of Misbah-ul-Haq pulling off a scoop shot of a full toss to lone fielder Sreesanth, India, by five runs, defended their score to claim the finals victory and the title of T20 ICC World Champions in history's first T20 World Championship.

See Also: 5 Times MS Dhoni Lost His Cool on the Cricket Field

3. Miandad's Last-Ball Six, Austral-Asia Cup 1986

During the 1986 Sharjah final, Pakistan had to withstand an unlikely chase of India's 245. With four required off the final ball, Javed Miandad hammered a full toss by Chetan Sharma over the field for a six, giving his team a remarkable win. Miandad's smile and Pakistan's celebration shattered Indian hearts, making this one of the all-time greatest moments of clutch heroism.

4. Prasad's Retort to Sohail, World Cup 1996

In the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal match in Bengaluru, Aamer Sohail's passionate boundary and insult to Venkatesh Prasad ignited drama. Prasad's subsequent ball knocked out Sohail's off-stump, and celebrations erupted. The victory of India by 39 runs was driven by this passionate exchange, an indicator of the rivalry's raw passion.

5. Tendulkar's Uppercut, World Cup 2003

Pursuing 273 in Centurion, Sachin Tendulkar's 98 off 75 deliveries and a stunning uppercut six off Shoaib Akhtar tore apart Pakistan's pace attack. India's six-wicket victory revealed Tendulkar's brilliance, inspiring a generation.

These moments define the India-Pakistan rivalry—where talent, guts, and drama meet, creating an eternal legacy.

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam has left the entire nation in grief, deeply affecting every Indian. Citizens across the country have been expressing their outrage and sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. Among them, former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has also paid tribute to the victims. He extended his condolences and expressed solidarity with the affected families, echoing the collective pain and anger felt throughout the country in the wake of such a horrifying act of terrorism.

In addition to expressing his grief, Sourav Ganguly strongly voiced his opinion on India’s diplomatic stance with Pakistan. He advocated for a complete severing of ties with the neighboring country, stressing that acts of terror cannot be taken lightly or normalized as yearly occurrences. Ganguly’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among many Indians who believe stronger actions should be taken to ensure national security and send a clear message against terrorism. Citing this, the former India skipper told ANI that he fully supported breaking ties with Pakistan, stating that strict action was necessary. He emphasized that it was no joke for such incidents to occur every year and added that terrorism could not be tolerated.

"100 per cent, this (breaking ties with Pakistan) should be done. Strict action is necessary. It is no joke that such things happen every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated,” Ganguly told ANI.

Watch the video;

#PahalgamTerroristAttack | Kolkata, West Bengal: Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly says, "100 per cent, this (breaking ties with Pakistan) should be done. Strict action is necessary. It is no joke that such things happen every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated." pic.twitter.com/J4v4HX3TZJ

— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025

See Also: Bowlers with best economy in death overs in IPL 2025 (min 7 overs)

India and Pakistan have not played each other since 2013

It has been nearly a decade since India last played a bilateral series with Pakistan in 2013, and since then, the two cricketing arch-rivals have only played each other at ICC events. Political ramifications and security threats have halted any bilateral commitments, and earlier this year, during the Champions Trophy, India decided not to berth in Pakistan, and all scheduled matches were played in Dubai via a neutral venue. 

India and Pakistan participated and played against each other once during the Champions Trophy, with India winning that match. Global interest began and peaked in the good old days when India and Pakistan used to play against each other. India and Pakistan met once during the Champions Trophy, however, they were able to demonstrate the action and intensity of their rivalry happy which became a normal ICC event match, without a bilateral series. And cricket fans across the world all continue to share an imagination on whether the bilateral series will resume forever.

The gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam has shocked everyone in the country. Rajeev Shukla, the vice president the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already stated that Team India will not entertain any bilateral series with Pakistan. Further media reports have suggested that the Board can take further steps to avoid any match against Pakistan.

According to a media report, BCCI wrote the International Cricket Council (ICC) not to put the Indian cricket team in the same group as Pakistan in their future events. The update came as a media report, yet to be announced by the board or by the Council officially. 

The 2008 Mumbai terror attack was considered to be a major setback for relations between the two countries, India and Pakistan. After the incident, Team India never traveled to Pakistan. Even in ICC events, both teams faced each other in neutral venues.

Read More: IPL 2025: CSK vs SRH Match 43- Who will be Impact Players for today's match?

Both sides played the series way back in 2012-2013 when Pakistan toured India to play a limited-overs cricket series. India last played against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka won the trophy by defeating India. 

Know what BCCI vice president has said

BCCI even refused to send team India to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as the Pakistan Cricket Board was the host nation of the team. Later, ICC converted the multiple-nation tournament into a hybrid model. Instead of playing on Pakistani soil, Team India played their matches in Dubai. 

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said in a statement, "We are with the victims, and we condemn it. Whatever our government says, we will do. We don’t play with Pakistan in a bilateral series because of the government’s stance. And we will not play with Pakistan bilaterally going forward. But when it comes to the ICC event, we play due to ICC engagement. ICC is also aware of what is happening; they will do it."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made their position very clear after the Pahalgam terrorist attack incident— no bilateral series with Pakistan. Due to political tension between two countries, the BCCI long ago paused playing on Pakistani soil.

After the Pahalgam incident, where terrorists took over 26 Indian lives, the tension between the two nations became worse. Actions already have been taken in diplomatic ways; now BCCI also made their stance very clear. BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said, "We will not play with Pakistan bilaterally going forward."

According to Shukla, "We are with the victims, and we condemn it. Whatever our government says, we will do. We don’t play with Pakistan in bilateral series because of the government’s stance. And we will not play with Pakistan in bilateral going forward. But when it comes to the ICC event, we play due to ICC engagement. ICC is also aware of whatever is happening; they will do it."

Read More: WATCH: Ubaid Shah’s viral celebration sparks laughter in PSL 2025

2008 Mumbai terror attack still haunts many 

The 2008 Mumbai terror attack was considered to be a major setback between India and Pakistan. After the incident, Team India never traveled to Pakistan. Even in ICC events, both teams faced each other in neutral venues. Both sides played the series way back in 2012-2013 when Pakistan toured India to play a limited-overs cricket series. India last played against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka won the trophy by defeating India. 

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also released a statement regarding the Pahalgam incident. He said, "On behalf of the BCCI, while condemning this ghastly and cowardly act with the strongest possible words, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed souls. In sharing their pain and grief, we stand hand in hand at this hour of tragedy."

Cricket lovers, fasten your seatbelts! The Asia Cup 2025 is all geared up to host scintillating T20 action, with the continent's best teams. Here's what you should know about the tournament.
Tournament Format & Teams
T20 Format: Quick-fire, high-intensity matches.
8 Teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Oman, UAE, and Hong Kong.
19 Matches: Lots of exciting matches lined up!

ASIA CUP 2025 UPDATES: [Cricbuzz]

- T20I format.
- 8 teams (IND, PAK, SL, BAN, AFG, Oman, UAE, HK)
- 19 games.
- India vs Pakistan could potentially play 3 times.
- UAE or SL as venues.
- September 2nd week to 4th week pic.twitter.com/bb4BiOFhmX

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 27, 2025

ALSO SEE: Delhi Capitals Appoint Kevin Pietersen as Mentor for IPL 2025

When & Where?
The tournament will be held in September (2nd to 4th week).
As of now, the venue is not decided but Sri Lanka or UAE are likely to host the event.
India vs Pakistan: A Dream Rivalry!
One of the highlights of this tournament is that India and Pakistan are likely to feature up to three times a group stage once, then the Super Four, and perhaps even once in the final! Cricketing fans could hardly wish for anything more!
Why Is This Asia Cup Important?
This tournament will provide an excellent chance for teams to finalize their squads in preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. It will also be a stage for emerging stars to make their presence felt on the global stage.
What's Next?
The official schedule, venues, and fixtures will be announced by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) soon. Until then, everyone waits with bated breath for this much-awaited tournament, which guarantees edge-of-the-seat action!

We just experienced an India vs Pakistan cricket match during Group A of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which India comfortably won with dominating performances in every challenge. While the tournament is still running, another India vs Pakistan cricket match is waiting for this calendar year.

Recently, India have mostly dominated against Pakistan in any format of cricket. In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India claimed a six-wicket win against the defending champions Pakistan last Sunday (February 23).

While the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is running in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, which will run till March 9, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is eyeing to work on the schedule for the Asia Cup 2025, which will run in a T20I format. 

See Also: Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Nightmare: A Tournament to Forget!

Know about the next Asia Cup tournaments

For the ongoing cycle, ending in 2031, we are yet to experience four men's Asia Cup tournaments, two in the T20I formats (2025 and 2029) and two in ODI formats (2027 and 2031). The Asia Cup T20I is set to run with eight teams from 2025, while the remaining Asia Cup ODIs in the ongoing cycle are planned with six teams. The upcoming T20 editions will run with 19 matches each, and the upcoming ODI editions will run with 13 matches each. 

India will be the hosts for the Asia Cup 2025, while Pakistan has the hosting rights for the next T20 Asia Cup in 2029. Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will host the next two ODI Asia Cups in 2027 and 2031, respectively. At least for the ongoing cycle, ACC has reportedly decided to follow neutral venues when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have the hosting rights for the tournament. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Sri Lanka has the better chance to host the Asia Cup 2025, under the hosting rights of the BCCI. 

India vs Pakistan match can be played three more times in 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was the first India vs Pakistan match in international cricket in 2025. Although Pakistan are already out of the tournament and India are ready for the Semi-finals in the ongoing ICC tournament, they can meet thrice during the Asia Cup 2025. In the Asia Cup 2025, India and Pakistan are in the same group along with two other qualifiers. If both India and Pakistan qualify, they can face each other in the Super Fours and the Final of the tournament.

The ACC has chosen September for the Asia Cup 2025. According to Cricbuzz news, the Asia Cup 2025 can run between the second and the fourth week of September. 

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and legendary all-rounder Wasim Akram strongly criticized Pakistan's team management after their loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The defeat at the Dubai International Stadium has almost ended Pakistan’s chances in the tournament.

A frustrated Akhtar didn't hold back, openly expressing his disappointment. "If I wasn’t getting paid, I wouldn’t even talk about Pakistan cricket. Honestly, I have nothing to do with them anymore. I come here because I’m asked to, not because I want to criticize them. Why should I waste my time?" he said in a video that quickly went viral on social media.

Shoaib Akhtar slams Pakistan’s selection choices, criticizing their lack of clear direction, skillset, and strategic planning in comparison to India.#TOKSports #ShoaibAkhtar #PAKvIND #ICCChampionsTrophy #tokct25 pic.twitter.com/Xa3ODOKgFh

— TOK Sports (@TOKSports021) February 24, 2025

Akhtar slammed Pakistan's management and Pakistani team, calling them "brainless and clueless" for picking only five bowlers when most teams use six bowlers on their team. "You go with two all-rounders, but this is just poor management. I'm disappointed," he said.  

Shoaib Akhtar rips into Babar Azam & Pakistan after dismal show against India! 🤯🇵🇰#PAKvIND #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/wYWYrr5rCh

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 24, 2025

He also blamed the team's struggles on weak Captaincy and a lack of player form in the team. Wasim Akram backed Akhtar and called for big changes to rebuild Pakistan’s white-ball team. "We've been playing old-fashioned cricket for years, and it needs to change. Bring in fearless young players. If you need to make five or six changes, do it. Even if we lose for six months, that's fine, but start preparing for the World T20 2026 now," Akram said on the show Dressing Room after the defeat against India.

ALSO READ: Record-Breaking Viewership

#INDvsPAK #ChampionsTrophy | #Pakistan are all but out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after their limp defeat to India.

Legendary fast bowler @shoaib100mph lashed out at the team, highlighting the lack of winning culture.

Akhtar slammed the Pakistan team management for playing… pic.twitter.com/zoXoQycYIR

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) February 24, 2025

He was also worried about Pakistan’s bowling and shared some shocking stats. "Enough is enough. These bowlers have been treated like stars, but in the last five ODIs, they’ve taken just 24 wickets, giving away 60 runs per wicket. Our bowling average is even worse than Oman and the USA. Out of the 14 teams playing ODIs, Pakistan’s bowling is the second worst." After Pakistan’s poor performance, Akhtar had great things to say about Virat Kohli, who scored an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls to lead India to win. "Hats off to him, he's a superstar and a modern-day great. I really hope he reaches 100 international centuries," Akhtar said. 

Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer stunned the media by saying the win against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 would have been a convincing victory by finishing the game earlier. 

Last Sunday (February 23), India faced Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where the defending champions Pakistan chose to bat first after winning the toss. It was an important match for both teams, as Pakistan suffered a defeat in their first game of the tournament by 60 runs against New Zealand, and India beat Bangladesh by six wickets in their first fixture of the competition.

Pakistan batters failed to pressurise disciplined Indian bowlers, and it resulted in 241 all out for Pakistan in 49.4 overs. In reply, Virat Kohli completed his century on the last ball and the opener Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer also played strong roles with the bat, as India chased down the target in 42.3 overs after losing four wickets. India successfully chased down the target with 45 balls remaining, but Iyer felt that they could finish the game earlier. 

See Also: Hardik Pandya Creates History, Becomes Leading Wicket-Taker Against Pakistan in ICC Tournaments

I think we could have won a bit earlier: Shreyas Iyer

Iyer scored a valuable 56 off 67 balls with five fours and one six. He had a crucial 114-run partnership with Kohli for the third wicket that ended the remaining hope for Pakistan in the match. Although India finished the match comfortably, the top middle-order batter feels they could have won the game earlier. 

Iyer said in the post-match press conference, "I think we could have won a bit earlier. It would have been a convincing win."

Iyer feels that they should have played more aggressively. He added, "But if we could have played more aggressively, we could have won a bit earlier."

I think Abrar bowled brilliantly: Shreyas Iyer

Only Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed provided some solid fightback among the Pakistan bowlers. In his 10 overs, the leg-spinner had the bowling figures of 28 for one wicket. As Abrar was bowling really well, as he dismissed the set batter Gill for 46 runs with a beauty, Iyer and Kohli were handling the leggie respectfully at the crucial moment. 

Talking about the situation, Iyer said, "I think Abrar bowled brilliantly. It was important and crucial for me to play out that spell and rotate the strike at the same time. It took some time and then once my eyes were set, I thought that sweep and reverse sweep would have been a great option to put them on the back foot. And I think that worked pretty well for me.

"It wasn't easy to take charge against Abrar. In that particular phase, it was important to take singles as much as possible and take the team to the end. Once we reach 30 or 40 runs, it is easy to charge on from there."

Iyer had a slow start in the chase as the right-handed batter once scored 17 off 33 balls. But soon after that, Iyer was going well by dealing with some boundaries. While there was no boundary, he and Kohli were always busy moving the scoreboard with singles and doubles. 

During India vs Pakistan Group A match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Indian legend Virat Kohli set another world record in international cricket as the right-handed batter became the fastest to complete 14000 ODI runs. 

After choosing to bat first, Pakistan managed to score 241 runs. India got a comfortable start despite the skipper Rohit Sharma having a short stay of entertaining 20 runs. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli, who has recently struggled to score good runs, joined the other opener Shubman Gill after the fifth over.

See Also: Ind vs Pak: Rohit Sharma leaves legends behind, sets new ODI record

Virat Kohli took 287 innings to complete 14000 ODI runs

Kohli, who was playing his 299th ODI match and 287th ODI innings, was 15 runs away from completing his 14000 ODI runs. The right-handed batter comfortably completed his 14000 ODI runs with a boundary as the right-handed batter became the third cricketer to record 14000 ODI runs. 

By completing 14000 ODI runs in 287 innings, Kohli became the fastest batter to reach this milestone. Legendary Indian Sachin Tendulkar was the first batter to reach the 14000 ODI runs milestone in 350 innings. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara was the second player to complete 14000 ODI runs and the left-handed batter took 378 innings to reach this milestone. 

Fastest to 14000 ODI runs