India vs Pakistan: How Arch-Rivals Can Clash Five Times in ODIs in 2023

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India vs Pakistan: Starved for the rivalry on the field with bilateral ties being cancelled, cricket fans in India and Pakistan as well as across the globe could be treated to as many as five ODI matches between the arch-rivals this year.

India-Pakistan clashes garner huge interest across the globe. The last time they met in a bilateral series at either home was back in 2012 when Pakistan toured India. It's been over 18 years since Pakistan hosted India.

The only way fans have been able to witness the neighbours clash on the field in a cricket match since 2012 is during the ICC events - ICC ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cup as well as the continental tournament - Asia Cup.

In the same way, cricket fans from India and Pakistan can see their teams go head to head at least five times in the year 2023, which will see both the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup being held in the two nations respectively.

While Pakistan are likely to travel to India for the World Cup, the Men in Blue will not cross the border, forcing an hybrid model of the Asia Cup with Sri Lanka co-hosting the tournament, scheduled for August-September.

So, how can India and Pakistan clash five times in One Day Internationals (ODIs) this year? Is it possible to have five India vs Pakistan matches in a singles? Here is a look:

How India and Pakistan can meet five times in 2023?

India will face Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 round robin stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14. So, that's one meeting between the two nations confirmed.

The arch-rivals can meet one more time in the ODI show-piece event if both qualify for the knockout rounds - semifinal and final. India and Pakistan could meet in one of the semifinals or in the final if they progress from the round robin stage. So, that's a minimum of two India vs Pakistan matches confirmed.

Plus, the format in Asia Cup 2023 means, the two teams can face off at least three times should they progress to the next stages in the tournament. As India and Pakistan are in the same group, they will meet in the Group stage of the Asia Cup on September 2 in Kandy.

If they finish in the top two of the three-team group, which is very likely as the third team is Nepal in their group, India and Pakistan will progress to the Super Four stage, where they will meet again.

And if they finish in the top two in the Super Four points table, India and Pakistan will clash in the final of the Asia Cup 2023, for which the match dates are yet to be announced. So, that make it a possible five ODI meetings between India and Pakistan.