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Rewind to 2005: Historic start of India-Pakistan rivalry in women’s cricket

Poulomi Chakraborty

First face off between India Women and Pakistan Women (Source: @ICC/x.com)First face off between India Women and Pakistan Women (Source: @ICC/x.com)

If anyone thinks thrillers hold all the drama, they clearly haven’t witnessed an India-Pakistan cricket clash. The tension, the stakes, the sheer unpredictability, these matches deliver a spectacle that defies measurement. As the sizzling rivalry often heats up men’s clashes, women’s cricket is no different as the women stars of both nations deliver the same thrills whenever they meet on 22 yards.

The India-Pakistan rivalry has roots that run deep, tracing back to 1947 when the nations were born from a single land. The tension entered the cricket field in 1952 when India and Pakistan locked horns in their first-ever Test match. 

As the tune of the fierce rivalry set in at that time, it entered Women’s cricket much later in 2005. Let’s revisit the birth of the IND-PAK rivalry in women’s cricket.

2005 marks the fierce rise of IND-PAK in women’s cricket

Once part of the same land, a partition gave birth to a never-ending rivalry that crossed international borders and entered the cricket field. Making the first instance of the heart-stopping rivalry back in 1952, women’s cricket welcomed it much later. As the world witnessed some of the iconic clash face-offs between women's sides of both nations added extra spice to this.

Entering the cricket world, Pakistan women faced New Zealand Women in their maiden ODI clash back in 1997. Facing their arch-rivals, they needed to wait eight more years. With no bilateral series to settle scores, the long-awaited clash finally unfolded in the 2005 Asia Cup. On that stage, India Women asserted their dominance with a commanding victory.

Asia Cup sees maiden rivalry flame between IND and PAK Women

Since the cross-border tension between both nations entered the 22 yards, the cricket world witnessed some of the iconic clashes between India and Pakistan over the years. Even when political strains keep bilateral series off the schedule, the rivalry refuses to fade. Every time these two nations meet on the big stage, whether in men’s or women’s cricket at an ICC tournament, the intensity, passion, and sheer drama light up the stadium.

In the big stage of the Women’s Asia Cup 2005, both rivals met for the first time, and the clash was never short of a thriller. Batting first, Indian opener Karuna Jain walked away scoring 18 runs in an outstanding delivery by Asmavia Iqbal. As Team India aims for a bounce back, Sana Mir dismissed captain Mithali Raj in 19 runs.

Aiming to turn the game, Jaya Sharma and Anjum Chopra took on the big responsibility. Stitching a game-changing 223-run partnership, Sharma played an unbeaten knock of 138 runs, and Anjum Chopra remained unbeaten on 86 runs. Their combined brilliance propelled Team India to a commanding total of 289, leaving the rivals scrambling.

Bowling heroics that change the course of the game

After putting on the giant total on the board, the India Women's side was already holding a strong position, but the bowling unit showcased their real dominance. The breakthrough came courtesy of Reema Malhotra, whose sharp run-out sent Sajjida Shah packing for 17, giving India the crucial first strike and setting the tone for a dominating performance.

As the Indian bowlers unleashed their lethal attack, the Pakistan women batters struggled to stitch an impactful partnership. Neetu David led the way, securing 3 wickets in just 7 runs. Nooshin Al Khadeer and Reema Malhotra added two wickets each, cutting through the lineup with precision and keeping the opposition to a mere 96 runs. With this clinical performance, India Women cruised to a commanding 193-run victory.

A memorable start fuels a rivalry for the ages

A clash that started with a group stage clash on the big stage of the Asia Cup 2025 set the stage for an undisputed rivalry. Over the years, India and Pakistan have met on countless occasions, yet every encounter continues to deliver the same electrifying intensity as that very first showdown. With each passing match, the anticipation and excitement only grow, turning every clash between these two rivals into a must-watch spectacle that fans simply cannot afford to miss.

Another unmissable clash between the arch-rivals is coming soon. As the Women’s ODI World Cup is underway, the high-voltage clash is set to go on the big stage on October 5. Fans across the globe are waiting for an unmissable encounter.