Why are India and Pakistan such huge rivals? Cricket World Cup favourites to meet in clash bigger than the Ashes

India and Pakistan will renew hostilities in cricket's biggest rivalry when the two sides meet at the World Cup later this month.

England are the reigning champions after a historic Super Over win in 2019 but the two South Asian countries will be heavy favourites this time around.

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The 2023 Cricket World Cup will take in India, with the Men in Blue coming into their home tournament as the number-one ranked team.

But neighbours Pakistan will be desperate to claim glory over their bitter rivals, with the pair's ODI scheduled for October 14.

The Ashes may be cricket’s oldest rivalry, however, India's upcoming duel with Pakistan in Ahmedabad undoubtedly has the edge.

Why are India and Pakistan such huge rivals?

The intense relations between the two nations stem back to the fallout from the Partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947.

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Such is the rivalry that they don't even celebrate their independence on the same date, with Pakistan celebrating it on August 14 and India a day later.

The two nations have fought four wars since, with cricket matches often serving as a backdrop to political and economic tension.

For example, their meeting at the 2019 World Cup in Manchester - which India won by 89 runs - came after an attack in Kashmir from which a Pakistan-based militant group took responsibility and led to the deaths of 40 Indian paramilitary police.

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On the cricket field, the two first met in 1952 and have also shared some of the most dramatic matches in cricket history.

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Pakistan have had the better of the rivalry overall, with 73 victories to their neighbours’ 56 but have lost all seven World Cup meetings between the pair.

The Shaheens do have fond memories of the 1992 edition however, having bounced back from defeat to India to claim their only World Cup triumph to date.

The neighbours have not played a test match since 2007, while the two sides have not played a bilateral series since 2012.

But Pakistan crossing the border for ODI action for the first time in a decade this month has only ramped up the anticipation.