Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal claims that the clash of the two titans is arguably the biggest match in sport this year.
On Sunday, Edgbaston will host India v Pakistan in the Champions Trophy group stage.
If previous contests are taken into accord, more than a billion fans from all over the world, both Pakistan and Indian natives and those with culture from those countries, will turn their attention to the West Midlands.
Their last 50-over meeting was in the 2015 World Cup in Australia, when India ran out comfortable winners.
Former all-rounder Iqbal was born in Hyderabad in India before emigrating to, and subsequently representing, Pakistan.
The 73-year-old told reporters this is undoubtedly the biggest cricketing rivalry in the world, saying: “It’s similar to the Ashes [between England and Australia], but to me it’s more than that because of the history, the background, the politics.”
India v Pakistan is a rivalry that has evolved from being solely about borders and political bragging rights to one where cricketing supremacy is a major source of pride.
For those living on the sub-continent, however, passion can turn into an obsession – and one often taken too far.
It is not uncommon for fans to burn effigies and hold mock funerals of their own players after a loss.
Iqbal says this behaviour is not just limited to matches between India and Pakistan.
“The fans get frustrated because they have so much hope and expectations they don’t accept the team that won had played the better cricket,” he said.
“It’s important to mention that when India or Pakistan visit any other country and perform poorly, they get the same reaction.”
