New Delhi: With the International Cricket Council (ICC) announcing the fixtures for the ODI World Cup 2023, India and Pakistan are all set to square off in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi stadium on October 15. The proposed epic encounter between the arch rivals has already sent adrenalin rushing among lakhs of cricket fans and the day will also witness a sporting spectacle. The Men in Blue will be starting their WC 2023 campaign against rampaging Australian team on October 8 at Chennai’s Chidambaram stadium, however, all eyes are on the epic clash of October 15. India & Pak’s stats in World Cups In the upcoming ODI World Cup, India & Pakistan would be meeting for the eight time. This would be their 8th encounter in the World Cup tournament. Their previous clashes were held for seven times in respectively world cups including – in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015 and 2019. Both the teams had a disastrous campaign in 2007 World Cup tournament as India & Pakistan both crashed out early, in the opening round of tournament, on back of poor performance. Why India remain the favourites? Though both teams would be pulling out all the stops to challenge & defeat the other, Team India maintains a clear edge over Pakistan. The men in Blue thrashed Pakistan in all 7 past World Cup encounters. The same pattern was replicated in recent T20 world cup also. In last ODI face-off, that happened in 2019 at Old Trafford, India had posted a massive 336/5 on back of Rohit’s 140 runs. Chasing the massive total, Pakistan floundered initially and then the rain-marred match turned in India’s favour by 89 runs via DLS method. Though, Pakistan has also record of formidable combats in other matches against India but it’s World Cup outing against the host country has been disastrous. Come October 15, 2023, Pakistan would be looking forward to break the jink & reverse the existing trend.
