When was the last time India traveled to Pakistan for a cricket match?
It seems like writing was on the walls for India's visit to Pakistan for participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy. As per the latest development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed Pakistan of India's decision to not travel to Pakistan for the showpiece event due to security reasons.
The eight-team Champions Trophy is slated to take place from February 19 to March 9 next year. However, India's decision has been a major blow to Pakistan, as it was reportedly set to unveil the schedule in Lahore soon. Moreover, November 11 also marks 100 days until the start of the event.
Here's what a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson said about the situation (via Cricbuzz):
"The PCB has received an email from the ICC, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has forwarded that email to the Government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance."
In this regard, Pakistan is expected to go ahead with the hybrid model, which will involve teams (apart from India) traveling to and from Pakistan to other venues. The 2023 Asia Cup was played with the same model, with Sri Lanka hosting India games and the latter stage of the tournament.
The development has further extended India's hiatus from playing cricket in Pakistan. It's been 16 years since the Men in Blue last visited the country to play the Asia Cup in 2008. After Pakistan visited India for a bilateral series in 2012, both sides have locked horns in ICC events only.
On that note, let's take a look at what transpired in India's last tour to Pakistan.
India emerged as runners-up in Asia Cup 2008 on their last tour to Pakistan
The Indian team's last appearance on Pakistan soil came in Asia Cup 2008, where Lahore and Karachi served as the hosts of the tournament.
India was slotted along with Pakistan and Hong Kong in Group B. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates formed Group A.
In their first game against Hong Kong in Karachi, the Indian team posted a mammoth total of 374, courtesy of centuries from skipper MS Dhoni (109*) and Suresh Raina (101*). Piyush Chawla was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets to bundle out Hong Kong for 118.
India and Pakistan then met in their respective last group fixtures. Captain Shoaib Malik (125) led the charge for the hosts, as they posted 299 on the board. In response, Virender Sehwag (119) helped the Indian team to seal the chase under 43 overs.
Despite the loss, Pakistan entered the top four along with India. On the other hand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were the top teams in the other group.
In their first Super Four contest, India again faced the challenge of Pakistan. Dhoni continued his good form by slamming 76, as the side compiled a 308-run total. However, Pakistan won the game owing to a 144-run stand between Younis Khan (123*) and Misbah-ul-Haq (70*).
India managed to win their rest two games against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and finished in the second spot. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka were the table-toppers. As a result, both teams met in the finale.
Invited to bat first, Sri Lanka lost their key players, Kumar Sangakkara (4) and Mahela Jayawardene (11) early. Ishant Sharma got rid of Chamara Kapugedera (5) and Chamara Silva (0) in the same over, as Sri Lanka were left reeling at 66/4.
However, opener Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan proved to be major resistance for the Indian bowlers. The duo amassed runs at a comfortable pace, with Jayasuriya leading the charge.
Part-timer Sehwag finally ended the 131-run stand by dismissing Jayasuriya (125). Dilshan (56) was a major contributor as Sri Lanka managed to post a total of 273. Ishant and RP Singh scalped three wickets apiece.
Thereafter, India got off to a fine start with Sehwag, as they had accumulated 76 runs off nine overs despite losing Gautam Gambhir (6). However, the Men in Blue were spellbound by Ajantha Mendis' magic, as none of the batters seemed to have picked his variations.
Sehwag (60), Suresh Raina (16), Yuvraj Singh (0) and Rohit Sharma (3) were dismissed in quick succession by Mendis, as India were stuttering at 97/5.
Although Dhoni (49) and Robin Uthappa (20) showed some signs of reviving India, they were dismissed soon. As a result, India were all-out for 173 and lost the game by 100 runs. Mendis ended with sensational figures of 6/13 in eight overs.