'Bigger than war': India-Pakistan marks rare meeting between bitter political, cricket rivals

If previous trends are any indication, nearly half a billion people could tune in to watch India and Pakistan face each other in a game of cricket that is often touted as being "bigger than war." The two neighboring countries and archrivals will be playing against each other at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Long Island in New York on Sunday in front of a crowd of almost 34,000 people.

"You don't get a bigger game than India-Pakistan, when it comes to eyeballs, when it comes to people at the ground, and interest around the globe," former player and head coach of the Indian Cricket Team Ravi Shastri said Saturday ahead of the big game at an event in New York City. "It'll be one heck of a spectacle."

Earlier, former captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team and tournament ambassador Shahid Afridi, in a column for the International Cricket Council described the upcoming match as "our Super Bowl" and likened the rivalry to the one between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.

ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, in a previous interview with USA TODAY, called the match between India and Pakistan as "one of the greatest rivalries in the world of sport."

As India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the penultimate match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, here's an overview of why the match is the hottest one in the tournament.

Cricket: A game mired in political history

"It's because of our history," former Indian cricket player and tournament ambassador Yuvraj Singh said during the opening of the ICC Fan Park at the World Trade Centre in New York on June 1 when asked why this game this so special.

After gaining independence from the British colonial empire on the same day in 1947, India and Pakistan first played against each other in 1952 when Pakistan toured India for a Test series. While things may not have been tense back then, three wars later, political tensions and hostility between the two nuclear-powered nations has more often than not translated onto the field.

"It's like going to war," says Rishabh Sharma, a veteran sports journalist based in India, who has covered more than 10 international cricket matches between the two countries.

"In these two nations, cricket is not just a game," Sharma said speaking to USA TODAY. "It's followed by millions and millions of people with a passion almost like a religion."

Shastri echoed Sharma's comments, telling USA TODAY that cricket is a religion "in our part of the world."

"When you're born, it's as if you know how to hold a cricket bat or a ball," said Shastri.

Cricket and politics are intricately intertwined in the subcontinent and when one goes bad, so does the other. Hence, political tensions negatively impact the sport, and the two countries rarely get to play with each other outside of international tournaments such as Sunday's T20 match.

"One reason for this encounter to become so significant and high voltage is the political and diplomatic relations of these two countries and as both the countries are obsessed with just one sport this game catches eyes of everyone," says Faizan Lakhani, a journalist based in Pakistan. Lakhani has covered seven ICC games between Pakistan and India, the most recent being the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023.

Further adding to the anticipation: The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) does not allow Indian players to play in T20 leagues around the world. And players from Pakistan were banned from participating in the Indian Premier League, the most lucrative cricketing tournament in the world, following the 2008 Mumbai Terror Attack, which India blames on Pakistan.

'So much at stake'

Former cricketer and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Ramiz Raja, speaking to USA TODAY, said emotions fueled by politics and diplomatic ties, pushes the stakes of the game.

"It is because of the political needle number one, and number two, because both teams have got gifted talent," Raja said when asked what makes the game unique. "And thirdly, because emotions are involved.

"There's so much at stake, and because people and the fans are invested emotionally, and it's a sport that binds countries in their own halves together," Raja said.

The high stakes of the game and the emotions of millions of people riding on just a handful of men, puts the 11 playing members of each team under immense pressure.

"Against India, it is about handling the pressure of the occasion," Afridi wrote in his column for the ICC. "There is so much talent in both teams, they just need to put it together on the day."

Sharma told USA TODAY the pressure on the Indian Cricket Team gets so intense in the days leading up to the match, that players are completely restricted from fan and media interactions and even social media in order to protect their mental health and ensure they are in good spirits on the day of the match.

For fans in both countries, losing the World Cup might be okay, but losing to India or to Pakistan is unacceptable as it boils down to being a matter of pride and honor.

Quality game

While political drama and patriotism fuels the passion for the game, the quality of the matches also draws in viewers from across the globe. As Raja points out, there is no shortage of talent in the teams of both countries. Sharma adds that India boasts a strong batting line-up, while Pakistan has some of the fiercest bowlers in the history of cricket. This dynamic sets the stage for a match that is "exhilarating," as Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar says, and unpredictable, pushing viewers to the edge of their seats.

"The emotions a cricket fan goes through during a match are truly a rollercoaster ride," Syed Murtaza Kazmi, a doctor who traveled all the way from Pakistan's capital Islamabad for the game, said. "There’s a sense of heightened patriotism that kicks in, starting with weeks of anticipation. Discussions on various forums with friends about strategies and possible outcomes become a daily routine."

"As the game begins, there’s an excitement and adrenaline rush that takes over. Every ball bowled and every run scored brings waves of anxiety and elation. When a wicket falls, it can feel like a heart-stopping moment, followed by either jubilant celebrations or deep despair, depending on which side you’re rooting for," he adds.

'Not just another game'

Excitement for the game among fans and a low supply of such matches perhaps also explains why the highest priced tickets of the T20 World Cup were for the India vs. Pakistan match.

Despite the high prices, cricket fans are expected to flock to the stadium and fill the newly constructed Nassau County Stadium.

Pakistani cricket commentator Fakhr-e-Alam, in a video on X, shared that he was traveling from Dubai to New York on a flight that was full of Indian and Pakistani cricket fans.

For fans like Kazmi, who made a 24-hour journey from Islamabad to New York, the match is "not just another game; it’s a spectacle that captivates millions."

"This rivalry which is already rooted in historical, political, and cultural contexts, makes every encounter electrifying," Kazmi says. "The passion and fury on both sides create an atmosphere that is unparalleled in any other game."

To sum it up in the words of Afridi, the "Pakistan-India cricket rivalry is one of the fiercest due to the shared history and political backdrop, passionate fan bases, and unforgettable matches over the years."

However, whatever the political scenario might be, it doesn't show among the players who are often spotted engaging in camaraderie off the ground or during practice sessions, proving that end of the day it's just a game no matter how high the stakes.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.