It is one of the most intense sporting rivalries in the world, in large part because it is often played out to the background of the wider tensions that threaten relations between the two neighbours.
Nevertheless, matches between India and Pakistan are almost always closely fought, with progress of games followed by millions of fans, not only in the countries themselves, but in the wider diaspora communities across the globe.
The two sides first met in 1952/53 after both countries emerged post-independence from British colonial rule. They continue to play periodically, for in recent years, the frequency of their encounters has not been as often as some sporting fans would have liked.
As with any intense local rivalry, there is immense pressure on players from both sides to win, and reactions to defeat can be extreme. For every player who enjoys playing in these matches, there will be some who feel trepidation when such games appear on their schedule.
But for all the problems that surround these games, cricket has also offered a chance to improve relations between the troubled neighbours. Matches have offered opportunities for heads of state to visit each other, and for fans of one country to travel to the other to watch games.
For the record, to date, there have been exactly 200 matches between the two countries across all three formats of the game. Pakistan hold the upper hand.
India have won nine and Pakistan 12 out of the 59 Test matches. As is evident, the most common result has been the draw – amounting to 38, a result of both countries adopting a not-lose policy.
Pakistan have also had the better of the ODIs. Of the 132 games played, they have won 73 and India 55. On the other hand, India have dominated the T20Is, having won six and lost two of the nine matches.