- India’s Sports Minister rules out India-Pakistan cricket series until border issues are resolved.
- Recent Asia Cup losses deepen Pakistan’s cricketing woes.
- India climbs to the second position in ICC ODI rankings, surpassing Pakistan.
Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has asserted that a bilateral cricket series between Pakistan and India remains an improbable prospect until the ongoing border disputes between the two neighboring nations are resolved.
Diplomatic tensions have long cast a shadow over cricketing relations between India and Pakistan, resulting in a suspension of bilateral matches. Currently, both teams only engage each other in ICC and Asia Cup fixtures on international cricket grounds.
In an interview with the Indian media, Thakur, who formerly served as the chief of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), underscored that
“the BCCI had long ago decided that bilateral matches with Pakistan will not happen until border relations are normalized.” He emphasized that this stance resonates with the sentiments of the ordinary citizens of the country.
Recent events have highlighted the intensity of this rivalry. In a recent Asia Cup clash, Pakistan suffered a significant setback, losing to India by a staggering 228-run margin. Subsequently, Pakistan faced a defeat against Sri Lanka in the same tournament, dashing their hopes of reaching the finals in a thrilling last-over encounter.
Furthermore, India’s impressive performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs) has catapulted them ahead of Pakistan in the ICC ODI team rankings. Pakistan, once at the pinnacle, has now slid to the third position, while India has ascended to the second spot. India boasts a rating of 116 with 4,516 points, while Pakistan occupies the third position with a rating of 115 and 3,102 points.
As the Asia Cup 2023 progresses, the final showdown will feature India and Sri Lanka, set to take place on September 17 in Colombo. Cricket enthusiasts across the region await this clash with bated breath, eager to witness the outcome of this fiercely contested tournament.
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