The rivalry between the India and Pakistan cricket teams is one of the most celebrated and intense in the sport’s history. Since their first meeting in 1952, these two teams have produced countless memorable encounters across all formats.
Cricket fans around the world eagerly await each match between India and Pakistan, whether in bilateral series or ICC tournaments, for the excitement and passion it brings.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the history of the India vs. Pakistan rivalry, exploring their key contests in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. From iconic performances to thrilling finishes, we’ll look at how this rivalry has evolved and examine its unforgettable moments.
A Brief History of India vs Pakistan Rivalry
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry began after India’s independence in 1947, with their first Test series held in 1952. Over the years, this rivalry has transformed into a symbol of fierce competition and has seen some of the most nail-biting moments in cricket.
Political tensions and differences between the two nations have added intensity to these games, making them much more than just another match on the calendar.
The rivalry has also produced legendary cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar, Imran Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Akram, Virat Kohli, and Babar Azam, all of whom have left their mark on this historic contest. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their head-to-head statistics across all formats.
India vs. Pakistan Head-to-Head Statistics:
| Statistic | Test (1952–2007) | ODI (1978–2023) | T20I (2007–2023) |
| Span | 1952–2007 | 1978–2023 | 2007–2023 |
| Matches Played | 59 | 132 | 13 |
| Wins (India) | 9 | 55 | 9 |
| Wins (Pakistan) | 12 | 73 | 3 |
| Draws | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| No Result | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Win Percentage (India) | 15.25% | 42.68% | 69.23% |
| Win Percentage (Pakistan) | 20.33% | 56.06% | 23.07% |
Timeline of India vs Pakistan Matches
India vs Pakistan Test Matches Timeline
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Test matches between India and Pakistan have historically been highly competitive and sometimes politically charged. Both teams have witnessed periods of dominance, with several memorable series over the years.
| Series/Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| Pakistan in India Test Series 1952/53 | India | 2-1 (5) |
| India in Pakistan Test Series 1954/55 | Drawn | 0-0 (5) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series 1960/61 | Drawn | 0-0 (5) |
| India in Pakistan Test Series 1978/79 | Pakistan | 2-0 (3) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series 1979/80 | India | 2-0 (6) |
| India in Pakistan Test Series 1982/83 | Pakistan | 3-0 (6) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series 1983/84 | Drawn | 0-0 (3) |
| India in Pakistan Test Series 1984/85 | Drawn | 0-0 (2) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series 1986/87 | Pakistan | 1-0 (5) |
| India in Pakistan Test Series 1989/90 | Drawn | 0-0 (4) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series 1998/99 | Drawn | 1-1 (2) |
| Asian Test Championship 1998/99 (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) | Pakistan | – |
| India in Pakistan Test Series 2003/04 | India | 2-1 (3) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series 2004/05 | Drawn | 1-1 (3) |
| India in Pakistan Test Series 2005/06 | Pakistan | 1-0 (3) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series 2007/08 | India | 1-0 (3) |
India vs Pakistan ODI Matches Timeline
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The One Day Internationals between India and Pakistan have seen some iconic encounters, especially in ICC tournaments like the World Cup. Here is the ODI match timeline:
| Series/Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Ahmedabad Oct 14, 2023 | India | 7 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Colombo (RPS) Sep 10-11, 2023 | India | 228 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Pallekele Sep 2, 2023 | No result | – |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Manchester Jun 16, 2019 | India | 89 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dubai (DICS) Sep 23, 2018 | India | 9 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dubai (DICS) Sep 19, 2018 | India | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at The Oval Jun 18, 2017 | Pakistan | 180 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Birmingham Jun 4, 2017 | India | 124 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Adelaide Feb 15, 2015 | India | 76 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Mirpur Mar 2, 2014 | Pakistan | 1 wicket |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Birmingham Jun 15, 2013 | India | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Delhi Jan 6, 2013 | India | 10 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Eden Gardens Jan 3, 2013 | Pakistan | 85 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Chennai Dec 30, 2012 | Pakistan | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Mirpur Mar 18, 2012 | India | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Mohali Mar 30, 2011 | India | 29 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dambulla Jun 19, 2010 | India | 3 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Centurion Sep 26, 2009 | Pakistan | 54 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Karachi Jul 2, 2008 | Pakistan | 8 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Karachi Jun 26, 2008 | India | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Mirpur Jun 14, 2008 | Pakistan | 25 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Mirpur Jun 10, 2008 | India | 140 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Jaipur Nov 18, 2007 | Pakistan | 31 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Gwalior Nov 15, 2007 | India | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Kanpur Nov 11, 2007 | India | 46 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Mohali Nov 8, 2007 | Pakistan | 4 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Guwahati Nov 5, 2007 | India | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Abu Dhabi Apr 19, 2006 | India | 51 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Abu Dhabi Apr 18, 2006 | Pakistan | 6 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Karachi Feb 19, 2006 | India | 8 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Multan Feb 16, 2006 | India | 5 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Lahore Feb 13, 2006 | India | 5 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Rawalpindi Feb 11, 2006 | India | 7 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Peshawar Feb 6, 2006 | Pakistan | 7 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Delhi Apr 17, 2005 | Pakistan | 159 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Kanpur Apr 15, 2005 | Pakistan | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Ahmedabad Apr 12, 2005 | Pakistan | 3 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Jamshedpur Apr 9, 2005 | Pakistan | 106 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Visakhapatnam Apr 5, 2005 | India | 58 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Kochi Apr 2, 2005 | India | 87 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Eden Gardens Nov 13, 2004 | Pakistan | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Birmingham Sep 19, 2004 | Pakistan | 3 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Amstelveen Aug 21, 2004 | Pakistan | 66 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Colombo (RPS) Jul 25, 2004 | Pakistan | 59 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Lahore Mar 24, 2004 | India | 40 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Lahore Mar 21, 2004 | India | 5 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Peshawar Mar 19, 2004 | Pakistan | 4 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Rawalpindi Mar 16, 2004 | Pakistan | 12 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Karachi Mar 13, 2004 | India | 5 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Centurion Mar 1, 2003 | India | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dhaka Jun 3, 2000 | Pakistan | 44 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Mar 26, 2000 | Pakistan | 98 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Mar 23, 2000 | India | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Perth Jan 28, 2000 | Pakistan | 104 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Adelaide Jan 25, 2000 | India | 48 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Hobart Jan 21, 2000 | Pakistan | 32 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Brisbane Jan 10, 2000 | Pakistan | 2 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Manchester Jun 8, 1999 | India | 47 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 16, 1999 | Pakistan | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 13, 1999 | India | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 8, 1999 | Pakistan | 116 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Bengaluru Apr 4, 1999 | Pakistan | 123 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Mohali Apr 1, 1999 | Pakistan | 7 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Jaipur Mar 24, 1999 | Pakistan | 143 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 20, 1998 | Pakistan | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 19, 1998 | Pakistan | 134 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 16, 1998 | Pakistan | 77 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 13, 1998 | Pakistan | 51 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 12, 1998 | India | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dhaka Jan 18, 1998 | India | 3 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dhaka Jan 16, 1998 | Pakistan | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dhaka Jan 14, 1998 | India | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dhaka Jan 11, 1998 | India | 18 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Dec 14, 1997 | Pakistan | 4 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Lahore Oct 2, 1997 | Pakistan | 9 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Karachi Sep 30, 1997 | India | 4 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Hyderabad (Sind) Sep 28, 1997 | Pakistan | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 21, 1997 | Pakistan | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 20, 1997 | India | 7 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 18, 1997 | India | 34 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 17, 1997 | No result | – |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 14, 1997 | India | 7 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 13, 1997 | India | 20 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Colombo (SSC) Jul 20, 1997 | No result | – |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Chennai May 21, 1997 | Pakistan | 35 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 23, 1996 | Pakistan | 52 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 21, 1996 | Pakistan | 97 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 18, 1996 | India | 55 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 17, 1996 | Pakistan | 2 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 16, 1996 | India | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Toronto Sep 14, 1996 | India | 28 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 15, 1996 | Pakistan | 38 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 12, 1996 | Pakistan | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Singapore Apr 5, 1996 | India | 39 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Bengaluru Mar 9, 1996 | India | 39 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 7, 1995 | Pakistan | 97 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 22, 1994 | Pakistan | 39 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 15, 1994 | Pakistan | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sydney Mar 4, 1992 | India | 43 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Oct 25, 1991 | Pakistan | 72 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Oct 23, 1991 | Pakistan | 4 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Oct 18, 1991 | India | 60 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 27, 1990 | Pakistan | 26 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Lahore Dec 22, 1989 | Pakistan | 38 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Karachi Dec 20, 1989 | No result | – |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Gujranwala Dec 18, 1989 | Pakistan | 7 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Eden Gardens Oct 28, 1989 | Pakistan | 77 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Oct 20, 1989 | Pakistan | 38 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Oct 15, 1989 | Pakistan | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Dhaka Oct 31, 1988 | India | 4 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Oct 19, 1988 | Pakistan | 34 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 10, 1987 | Pakistan | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Jamshedpur Mar 26, 1987 | Pakistan | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Nagpur Mar 24, 1987 | Pakistan | 41 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Pune Mar 22, 1987 | Pakistan | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Hyderabad (Deccan) Mar 20, 1987 | India | – |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Eden Gardens Feb 18, 1987 | Pakistan | 2 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Indore Jan 27, 1987 | Pakistan | 3 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Dec 5, 1986 | Pakistan | 3 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 18, 1986 | Pakistan | 1 wicket |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Nov 17, 1985 | Pakistan | 48 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Mar 22, 1985 | India | 38 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Melbourne Mar 10, 1985 | India | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Melbourne Feb 20, 1985 | India | 6 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Sialkot Oct 31, 1984 | No result | – |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Quetta Oct 12, 1984 | Pakistan | 46 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Sharjah Apr 13, 1984 | India | 54 runs |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Jaipur Oct 2, 1983 | India | 4 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan ODI at Hyderabad (Deccan) Sep 10, 1983 | India | 4 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Karachi Jan 21, 1983 | Pakistan | 8 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Lahore Dec 31, 1982 | India | 18 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Multan Dec 17, 1982 | Pakistan | 37 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Gujranwala Dec 3, 1982 | Pakistan | 14 runs |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Sahiwal Nov 3, 1978 | Pakistan | – |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Sialkot Oct 13, 1978 | Pakistan | 8 wickets |
| Pakistan vs India ODI at Quetta Oct 1, 1978 | India | 4 runs |
India vs Pakistan T20I Matches Timeline
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T20Is between India and Pakistan are intense, often decided by narrow margins. This format has seen some thrilling games, especially in ICC T20 World Cups.
| Series/Tournament | Winner | Margin |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at New York Jun 9, 2024 | India | 6 runs |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Melbourne Oct 23, 2022 | India | 4 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Dubai (DICS) Sep 4, 2022 | Pakistan | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Dubai (DICS) Aug 28, 2022 | India | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Dubai (DICS) Oct 24, 2021 | Pakistan | 10 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Eden Gardens Mar 19, 2016 | India | 6 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Mirpur Feb 27, 2016 | India | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Mirpur Mar 21, 2014 | India | 7 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Ahmedabad Dec 28, 2012 | India | 11 runs |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Bengaluru Dec 25, 2012 | Pakistan | 5 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Colombo (RPS) Sep 30, 2012 | India | 8 wickets |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Johannesburg Sep 24, 2007 | India | 5 runs |
| India vs Pakistan T20I at Durban Sep 14, 2007 | Tied | – |
Key Moments in the India vs. Pakistan Rivalry
Iconic Test Match Moments:
- 1986 Bangalore Test: India clinched a famous victory, with spinner Maninder Singh taking the final wicket to dismiss Pakistan for 116, sealing a 1-0 series win.
- 2004 Multan Test: Virender Sehwag’s record-breaking triple century helped India to a historic win, marking India’s first-ever Test series victory in Pakistan.
Memorable ODI Moments:
- 1996 World Cup Quarterfinal: India won an intense encounter, with Ajay Jadeja’s explosive innings helping India advance to the semifinals.
- 2003 World Cup Clash: Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic 98 runs in Centurion helped India chase down a formidable total against Pakistan.
Thrilling T20 Encounters:
- 2007 T20 World Cup Final: India defeated Pakistan by 5 runs in a thrilling final, marking India’s first T20 World Cup win.
- 2021 T20 World Cup: Pakistan achieved their first-ever win over India in a World Cup, winning by 10 wickets in a dominant performance.
Conclusion: The Future of the Rivalry
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most celebrated in sports, with each match captivating millions. As both teams continue to develop new talent and strategies, the future promises even more thrilling contests.
With cricket’s rising popularity, every India-Pakistan game is a spectacle, and fans can eagerly anticipate more historic moments in the years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did India and Pakistan first play a Test match?
They first played a Test match in 1952 during Pakistan’s tour of India.
What is the head-to-head record in ODIs between India and Pakistan?
Pakistan has won 73 of the 132 ODIs, while India has won 55, with 4 matches having no result.
Has there been a memorable World Cup match between India and Pakistan?
Yes, the 2003 World Cup encounter where India won with Sachin Tendulkar’s 98 runs is highly memorable, along with India’s 1996 quarterfinal victory.
How many T20I matches have India and Pakistan played?
As of 2023, they have played 13 T20Is, with India winning 9 and Pakistan winning 3, plus 1 tie.
What are some iconic moments in this rivalry?
Key moments include the 2007 T20 World Cup final win by India, Pakistan’s victory in the 2021 T20 World Cup, and the 1996 ODI World Cup quarterfinal.
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