There is no rivalry in world sport quite like India vs Pakistan in cricket. It transcends the boundary rope — it is history, politics, passion, and a billion emotions compressed into every delivery. When these two teams meet, the world watches. This comprehensive guide covers the complete head-to-head record across all formats, the most famous encounters, and the statistical breakdown that defines this legendary rivalry.
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry spans over 70 years and hundreds of matches across formats. Here is the all-time breakdown:
India and Pakistan have played 59 Test matchesagainst each other. India lead the head-to-head with 11 wins to Pakistan’s 12, with 36 matches drawn. The high number of draws reflects the typically flat subcontinent pitches and the cautious approach both teams historically adopted. The two nations have not played a bilateral Test series since 2007 due to political tensions.
In ODIs, the record is more decisive. In 135 ODI encounters, India lead with 57 wins to Pakistan’s 73, with 5 no-results. However, India’s dominance in ICC tournaments has shifted the narrative in recent decades. India have won all seven ODI World Cup meetings against Pakistan.
In T20 Internationals, the teams have met 12 times. India lead with 8 wins to Pakistan’s 4. The T20I record is particularly significant because most of these matches have come in ICC tournaments, adding enormous pressure.
India’s record against Pakistan in ICC Cricket World Cups is extraordinary. India havewon all seven ODI World Cup meetings, a statistic that defies the overall ODI record. This includes:
The inaugural T20 World Cup final was a classic. India, led by a young MS Dhoni, defeated Pakistan by 5 runs in a dramatic finish. Misbah-ul-Haq’s scoop shot off Joginder Sharma, caught by Sreesanth at short fine leg, is one of cricket’s most replayed moments. This match launched the T20 revolution and established India as the first T20 World Champions.
Pakistan finally broke the World Cup hoodoo, defeating India by 10 wickets in the group stage. Babar Azam (68*) and Mohammad Rizwan (79*) chased down 152 without losing a wicket. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s opening spell — dismissing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in his first two overs — set the tone. It was Pakistan’s first World Cup win against India in any format.
In a low-scoring thriller at Nassau County in New York, India defeated Pakistan by 6 runs. Jasprit Bumrah’s spell of 3/14 in 4 overs on a tricky pitch was match-defining. Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel made crucial contributions as India defended a modest total on a pitch offering seam and bounce.
India vs Pakistan is more than statistics. It is Javed Miandad’s last-ball six off Chetan Sharma in 1986. It is Sachin Tendulkar’s 98 at Centurion. It is Dhoni’s calm in Johannesburg. It is Bumrah’s yorkers in New York. Every generation has its defining India-Pakistan moment.
The geopolitical situation means bilateral series remain unlikely, making ICC tournament encounters even more precious. Each India-Pakistan match draws an estimated global TV audience exceeding one billion viewers.
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