India vs Pakistan: When Was the Last Time They Played Cricket on Each Other’s Home Soil?

The cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan is widely regarded as one of the fiercest in world sport, captivating millions of fans and shaped by decades of history, politics, and national pride. Yet, despite the intensity surrounding India vs Pakistan cricket matches, supporters have been deprived of seeing the two teams play on each other’s home soil for nearly two decades. The last time India toured Pakistan for official international cricket was in 2008 during the Asia Cup, which remains the most recent India-Pakistan fixture held on Pakistani soil.

The 2008 Asia Cup Tour in Pakistan

In April 2008, India and Pakistan faced each other during the Asia Cup in Pakistan, marking a significant chapter in the storied rivalry. India’s tour included a Super Four match against Pakistan in Lahore, a game remembered for its high-quality cricket and intense atmosphere. The match featured notable performances, including fluent batting from Rohit Sharma and a determined bowling effort from Pakistan. To date, this encounter stands as the last time India played Pakistan in Pakistan.

2012-13: Pakistan’s Last Tour of India

Although India have not toured Pakistan since 2008, the rivalry saw one final bilateral appearance when Pakistan toured India in 2012–13. The limited-overs series consisted of three One-Day Internationals and two T20 Internationals, played across Indian venues between December 2012 and January 2013. Pakistan won the ODI series 2-1, while the T20I series ended in a 1–1 draw, offering fans competitive cricket despite the absence of Test matches.

However, this tour marked the last bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan. Since then, escalating political tensions - particularly security concerns following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and subsequent developments - have prevented the resumption of bilateral tours.

From Bilaterals to Neutral Venues

Since 2013, India vs Pakistan matches have been restricted to neutral venues and limited to multi-nation tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup. These encounters continue to generate enormous global interest, fuelled by the rivalry’s intensity and the rarity of head-to-head contests.

One notable example was the 2025 Asia Cup final in Dubai, where India and Pakistan met in the final for the first time in the tournament’s history. The match, played in the UAE, once again highlighted how neutral venues have become the default stage for clashes between the two sides.

Bilateral Cricket Halted

The prolonged halt in bilateral cricket stems largely from geopolitical realities. Diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring nuclear-armed nations frequently impact sporting relations. Persistent security concerns have led governing bodies such as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to avoid scheduling tours in each other’s countries. While there have been occasional discussions about reviving bilateral cricket, including proposals for neutral “home” series, no substantial progress has been made.

Why Neutral Venues Prevail

Neutral venues, particularly in the Middle East and the UAE, have emerged as the preferred option for hosting India-Pakistan cricket matches. These locations offer several advantages, including:

• Security assurances
  
• Large expatriate fanbases
  
• Commercial viability with broadcast rights and sponsorships
  
• Accessibility for global audiences
  

All India-Pakistan cricket meetings in the last decade have taken place this way, from World Cup clashes to Asia Cup showdowns.

Looking Ahead

Current circumstances suggest that India and Pakistan are unlikely to resume bilateral cricket series in each other’s countries in the near future, largely due to ongoing diplomatic sensitivities. Nevertheless, the rivalry remains a central pillar of international cricket, continuing to captivate audiences whenever the two teams meet - regardless of the venue.