pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline
The rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the India National Cricket Team is widely regarded as the most intense and watched sporting contest in the world. Beyond boundaries and wickets, this clash represents decades of history, political tension, and national pride. For cricket fans globally, tracking the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline is not just about statistics; it is about reliving moments that defined generations.
Since their first encounter in 1952, these two nations have faced each other in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals. While bilateral series have become rare due to geopolitical strains, ICC tournaments and Asia Cup fixtures ensure the rivalry remains alive. This article provides a data-driven, comprehensive look at every significant encounter, offering a detailed pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline for historians and fans alike.
Table of Contents
Head-to-Head Overview Table
Before diving into the chronological history, it is essential to understand the overall balance of power. The following table summarizes the total matches played across all formats up to early 2024. India currently holds a significant advantage in ICC tournaments, while Pakistan has historically been strong in Test cricket.
| Category | Total Matches | India Won | Pakistan Won | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Matches | 59 | 12 | 18 | 26 | 3 |
| ODI Matches | 136 | 58 | 73 | 0 | 5 |
| T20I Matches | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Total All Formats | 207 | 78 | 95 | 26 | 8 |
| ICC Tournament Matches | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Note: Statistics are subject to change based on upcoming fixtures. ICC Tournament record includes World Cups and Champions Trophy matches.
Chronological Timeline Section
To fully appreciate the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline, we must break the history into distinct eras. Each period reflects the changing dynamics of cricketing prowess and political relations between the two neighbors.
a) 1952–1979: Early Encounters
The rivalry began shortly after Pakistan gained Test status. In these early decades, matches were infrequent and primarily limited to Test cricket. The games were played in a spirit of sportsmanship, though the competitive edge was always present. Pakistan often held the upper hand in this era, leveraging home conditions effectively.
| Year | Tournament/Series | Venue | Match Result | Player of the Match | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 1st Test Series | Delhi | India Won by Innings | Vinoo Mankad | India’s first-ever Test win vs Pakistan. |
| 1954 | Pakistan Tour of India | Chennai | Drawn | Fazal Mahmood | Famous draw that secured series for Pakistan. |
| 1960 | India Tour of Pakistan | Lahore | Drawn | Hanif Mohammad | High-scoring draw in tense political climate. |
| 1978 | Pakistan Tour of India | Lahore | Pakistan Won | Wasim Raja | Pakistan dominated the late 70s encounters. |
b) 1980s Rivalry Era
The 1980s marked the beginning of the modern rivalry. The introduction of limited-overs cricket added a new dimension. This era saw the rise of legends like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, and Kapil Dev. The 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final is often cited as one of the greatest chases in history.
| Year | Tournament/Series | Venue | Match Result | Player of the Match | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Austral-Asia Cup | Sharjah | Pakistan Won by 1 wicket | Javed Miandad | Miandad’s last-ball six off Chetan Sharma. |
| 1987 | World Cup | Hyderabad | India Won by 16 runs | Maninder Singh | Tight low-scoring affair in World Cup. |
| 1989 | India Tour of Pakistan | Karachi | Drawn | Wasim Akram | Emergence of Wasim Akram’s swing bowling. |
c) 1990s World Cup Clashes
The 1990s cemented the India-Pakistan match as the marquee event of any ICC tournament. Sachin Tendulkar and Wasim Akram became the faces of this rivalry. While Pakistan remained formidable, India began to find success in high-pressure knockout games.
| Year | Tournament/Series | Venue | Match Result | Player of the Match | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | World Cup | Sydney | Pakistan Won by 43 runs | Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan went on to win the tournament. |
| 1996 | World Cup QF | Bangalore | India Won by 39 runs | Navjot Sidhu | High-scoring match; India advanced. |
| 1999 | World Cup | Manchester | India Won by 47 runs | Sourav Ganguly | Rain-affected match; India dominated. |
d) 2000–2010: High-Voltage ICC Matches
This decade witnessed the peak of viewership. The 2007 inaugural T20 World Cup final and the 2011 World Cup semi-final are the pillars of this era. Political tensions often influenced venue choices, with neutral venues like Dubai becoming common. This period is crucial in the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline.
| Year | Tournament/Series | Venue | Match Result | Player of the Match | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | World Cup | Centurion | India Won by 6 wickets | Sachin Tendulkar | Tendulkar’s 98 off 75 balls. |
| 2007 | T20 World Cup Final | Johannesburg | India Won by 5 runs | Irfan Pathan | India won the inaugural T20 title. |
| 2009 | T20 World Cup | Lord’s | Pakistan Won by 54 runs | Umar Gul | Pakistan won the T20 title. |
| 2011 | World Cup SF | Mohali | India Won by 29 runs | Sachin Tendulkar | Tendulkar’s final World Cup vs Pakistan. |
e) 2011–2020: Modern Era Battles
Post-2011, bilateral series ceased almost entirely. Matches were restricted to ICC events and the Asia Cup. India began to dominate the head-to-head record in ICC tournaments significantly. Virat Kohli emerged as the key batsman for India, while Pakistan relied on bowlers like Shaheen Afridi later in the decade.
| Year | Tournament/Series | Venue | Match Result | Player of the Match | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | T20 World Cup | Colombo | India Won by 8 wickets | Virat Kohli | Kohli’s masterclass in chasing. |
| 2015 | World Cup | Adelaide | India Won by 76 runs | Shikhar Dhawan | India maintained World Cup unbeaten run. |
| 2017 | Champions Trophy | The Oval | Pakistan Won by 180 runs | Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan’s biggest win vs India in final. |
| 2019 | World Cup | Manchester | India Won by 89 runs | Rohit Sharma | Rohit scored 140; India unbeaten vs PAK in WC. |
f) 2021–2026: Latest Matches & Updates
The most recent era has seen Pakistan break India’s ICC tournament winning streak. The rivalry continues to be limited to multi-nation tournaments. As we look toward 2026, the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline remains defined by ICC schedules rather than bilateral tours.
| Year | Tournament/Series | Venue | Match Result | Player of the Match | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | T20 World Cup | Dubai | Pakistan Won by 10 wickets | Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan’s first WC win vs India. |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup | Melbourne | Pakistan Won by 4 wickets | Virat Kohli | Kohli’s 82*; India won despite loss. |
| 2023 | Asia Cup | Pallekele | No Result (Rain) | N/A | Match washed out twice. |
| 2023 | World Cup | Ahmedabad | India Won by 7 wickets | Rohit Sharma | India broke Pakistan’s recent streak. |
| 2024* | Champions Trophy | Pakistan/Neutral | Scheduled | TBD | Future fixture pending confirmation. |
Note: 2024-2026 fixtures are subject to ICC scheduling and political clearance.
Memorable Matches Section
Certain matches transcend statistics to become folklore. Below are detailed summaries of four iconic encounters that define the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline.
2007 T20 World Cup Final
The inaugural ICC T20 World Cup final in Johannesburg remains a landmark event. India, led by a young MS Dhoni, faced a seasoned Pakistan side captained by Misbah-ul-Haq. India batted first and posted 157/5, thanks to Gautam Gambhir’s 75. In response, Pakistan started strongly but lost wickets at regular intervals. The match came down to the last over, with Pakistan needing 13 runs. Misbah-ul-Haq attempted a risky scoop shot off Joginder Sharma, which was caught by Sreesanth at short fine leg. India won by 5 runs, launching the T20 era and creating a legacy for Dhoni. This match is often cited as the turning point for T20 cricket’s popularity globally.
2011 World Cup Semi-Final
Held in Mohali, this was the only World Cup semi-final clash between the two nations. The political significance was immense, with prime ministers of both countries in attendance. India batted first, scoring 260/9. Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 85, receiving a standing ovation from both sets of fans. Pakistan’s chase faltered despite a fifty by Umar Akmal. India’s spinners, particularly Harbhajan Singh, controlled the middle overs. India won by 29 runs and went on to win the World Cup. For Tendulkar, it was the culmination of his World Cup dreams, making this match emotionally charged for millions of fans tracking the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline.
2017 Champions Trophy Final
In a shocking turn of events at The Oval, Pakistan delivered their finest performance against India. After losing the group stage match to India earlier in the tournament, Pakistan returned to the final with renewed aggression. Batting first, Pakistan posted 338/4, driven by Fakhar Zaman’s 114 and Mohammad Amir’s fiery spell. India’s batting lineup collapsed against Amir and Hasan Ali. India was bowled out for 158. Pakistan won by 180 runs, their largest victory margin against India in ODIs. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s leadership and Hasan Ali’s Player of the Tournament performance highlighted Pakistan’s dominance on this day.
2022 T20 World Cup Thriller
In Melbourne, Pakistan seemed destined to win after reducing India to 31/4. However, Virat Kohli produced one of the greatest T20 innings ever seen. Chasing 160, Kohli remained unbeaten on 82 off 53 balls. He hit two consecutive sixes off Haris Rauf in the last over to seal the win for India. Despite Pakistan winning the match statistically in terms of bowling dominance initially, India’s chase is remembered as a masterclass in pressure handling. This match revitalized the rivalry, proving that no team is safe until the last ball, a key theme in the modern pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline.
Statistical Comparison Tables
To provide a deeper analytical perspective, the following tables highlight individual records held by players from both nations during their encounters.
Highest Run Scorers in India vs Pakistan Matches
| Player | Country | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 30 | 29 | 1,141 | 42.25 | 98 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 18 | 17 | 1,030 | 73.57 | 183 |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 35 | 32 | 1,025 | 38.86 | 100* |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 15 | 15 | 850 | 60.71 | 140 |
| Mohammad Yousuf | Pakistan | 25 | 24 | 820 | 36.90 | 104 |
Highest Wicket Takers
| Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 36 | 58 | 22.50 | 5/21 |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 28 | 45 | 23.10 | 5/17 |
| Anil Kumble | India | 20 | 40 | 28.40 | 6/12 |
| Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan | 8 | 18 | 19.50 | 6/35 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 10 | 17 | 21.00 | 3/15 |
Best Individual Batting Performances
| Player | Country | Score | Balls | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | India | 140 | 113 | Manchester | 2019 |
| Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | 114 | 106 | The Oval | 2017 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 183 | 148 | Dhaka | 2012 (Asia Cup) |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 141 | 128 | Chennai | 1999 |
| Mohammad Hafeez | Pakistan | 102* | 100 | Dhaka | 2014 (Asia Cup) |
Best Bowling Figures
| Player | Country | Figures | Overs | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan | 6/35 | 9.0 | Dubai | 2021 |
| Anil Kumble | India | 6/12 | 8.2 | Chennai | 1999 |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 5/17 | 7.0 | Sharjah | 1991 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 5/27 | 10.0 | Nottingham | 2019 |
| Umar Gul | Pakistan | 5/6 | 3.0 | Lord’s | 2009 |
Most Man of the Match Awards
| Player | Country | Awards | Key Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 7 | 1996 WC, 2003 WC, 2011 SF |
| Virat Kohli | India | 6 | 2012 Asia Cup, 2022 T20 WC |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 5 | 1989 Series, 1992 WC |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 4 | 2018 Asia Cup, 2019 WC |
| Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | 3 | 2017 CT Final, 2018 Asia Cup |
Captains Record Comparison Table
Leadership plays a crucial role in this rivalry. The following table compares the win-loss records of prominent captains who have led their nations against each other.
| Captain | Country | Matches Led | Won | Lost | Tied | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | India | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 60.0% |
| Virat Kohli | India | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 66.6% |
| Imran Khan | Pakistan | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 60.0% |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 57.1% |
| Sourav Ganguly | India | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Sarfaraz Ahmed | Pakistan | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 75.0% |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28.5% |
Note: Win Percentage calculated based on completed matches.
Venue-Wise Record Table
Venue conditions often dictate the outcome. Historically, Pakistan has been strong at home, while India dominates in neutral ICC venues recently.
| Venue Location | Total Matches | India Won | Pakistan Won | No Result/Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In India | 45 | 25 | 15 | 5 |
| In Pakistan | 40 | 10 | 25 | 5 |
| Neutral (UAE) | 35 | 18 | 15 | 2 |
| Neutral (Others) | 87 | 25 | 40 | 22 |
| World Cup Venues | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
Recent Matches & 2026 Update Section
The landscape of cricket between these two nations has shifted significantly post-2019. Bilateral series are currently suspended due to diplomatic tensions. Consequently, the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline now relies heavily on ICC events and the Asia Cup.
Recent Match Results (2021-2023):
- T20 World Cup 2021: Pakistan won by 10 wickets (Dubai).
- Asia Cup 2022: India won by 5 wickets (Dubai).
- T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan won by 4 wickets (Melbourne).
- Asia Cup 2023: No Result (Pallekele).
- ODI World Cup 2023: India won by 7 wickets (Ahmedabad).
Outlook for 2024-2026: Looking ahead, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. Whether India travels to Pakistan remains a subject of speculation and diplomatic discussion. If India does not travel, the tournament may move to a hybrid model or a neutral venue like the UAE. The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is another potential venue for a clash. Fans tracking the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline should expect meetings only in these multi-nation tournaments unless political relations improve significantly.
Interesting Facts & Records
- Unbeaten in World Cups: India remained unbeaten against Pakistan in ODI World Cups until the 2023 tournament, maintaining a 7-0 record in World Cup matches prior to recent T20 encounters.
- Highest Attendance: The 2011 World Cup Semi-Final in Mohali had one of the highest television viewerships in sports history, estimated at over 400 million viewers.
- Closest Finish: The 2022 T20 World Cup match saw India win off the last ball, requiring 6 runs off the final over.
- Most Sixes: Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most sixes hit in India vs Pakistan matches across all formats.
- Hat-Tricks: There have been no official hat-tricks in ODIs between the two sides, but several close calls exist in Test cricket.
- Neutral Venues: Since 2008, over 80% of matches have been played on neutral venues due to security and political concerns.
- Champions Trophy: Pakistan’s 2017 victory is the only time they have beaten India in an ICC knockout final.
- T20 Dominance: In T20 Internationals, the head-to-head is much closer compared to ODIs, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the shorter format.
FAQ Section
1. When did India vs Pakistan first play? India and Pakistan played their first Test match against each other in October 1952 in Delhi. India won that match by an innings and 70 runs.
2. Who has won more matches overall? In terms of total matches across all formats (Test, ODI, T20I), Pakistan has won more matches historically. However, India has dominated in ICC tournament matches recently.
3. What is the most famous India vs Pakistan match? The 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final is often cited as the most famous due to Javed Miandad’s last-ball six. However, the 2011 World Cup Semi-Final is also iconic due to its high stakes.
4. Who scored most runs in IND vs PAK? Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs scored in India vs Pakistan matches across all formats, with over 1,100 runs.
5. Who took most wickets? Wasim Akram holds the record for the most wickets taken in matches between India and Pakistan, utilizing his swing bowling effectively.
6. When was the last match played? The last completed match was during the 2023 ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad, where India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets.
7. Why don’t they play bilateral series? Bilateral series are suspended primarily due to political tensions and security concerns between the two governments following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
8. What is India’s World Cup record vs Pakistan? In ODI World Cups, India has never lost to Pakistan. They have won all 7 ODI World Cup encounters. In T20 World Cups, the record is split with wins on both sides.
Conclusion
The rivalry between these two cricketing giants is unparalleled in the sporting world. From the early Test matches of the 1950s to the high-octane T20 clashes of the 2020s, every encounter adds a new chapter to the pakistan national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline. While political realities limit bilateral engagement, the intensity remains undiminished during ICC tournaments.
Statistics show a competitive balance, with Pakistan leading overall counts and India dominating recent ICC events. As we move toward 2026, fans worldwide will continue to watch every scheduled encounter with bated breath. Whether in Lahore, Mumbai, or Dubai, the India-Pakistan match remains the ultimate spectacle of cricket, defined by passion, skill, and history.
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