List of all India-Pak clashes at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Barring the solitary 2023 ODI World Cup match that Pakistan and India played in Ahmedabad, the two countries have largely stuck to facing each other at neutral venues since 2013. Plenty has been said, in the jargon of every profession, about why that is the case. Plenty more will probably be said in the future.

As unclear as it is when this scheduling embargo will end, it is equally certain that the two teams will keep meeting whenever a tournament comes around. Take this T20 World Cup, for example. It is only the second weekend of the tournament, and Pakistan and India, after a shedload of drama, are already gearing up to play each other.

The venue is R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where the two neighbours share a short but notable history.

1. 10 September 2023 – Asia Cup

As recently as 2023, Pakistan and India played an ODI Asia Cup match here. It was a group stage fixture, and if you are new to cricket, you might think group stage games do not get reserve days.

If you have followed cricket for a while, you would know exceptions can be made when the teams in question are these two.

The reserve day, however, turned into one of Pakistan’s worst memories. They were handed a crushing 228-run defeat, just a day after returning to complete a match that had initially been halted.

2. 30 September 2012 – T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli has four T20I wickets. One of them came in this very match, when he had Mohammad Hafeez chopping the ball back onto his stumps.

This remains the only T20I between Pakistan and India at this venue. It was a low-scoring encounter that India controlled comfortably.

3. 25 July 2004 – Asia Cup

This was the last and only time Colombo witnessed Pakistan triumph over India at RPS.

There were collapses. There were rebuilds. There were collapses after rebuilds. Pakistan set a target of 301 and relied on a collective bowling effort to stop India 59 runs short.

4. 15–16 September 1994 – Singer World Series

This match was part of a quadrangular series featuring Sri Lanka and Australia alongside Pakistan and India.

Colombo’s rain made an untimely appearance and washed out proceedings. Although there was a reserve day, a wet outfield ensured no play was possible then either.

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