The India-Pakistan head to head cricket rivalry is one of the most intense and passionate in all of sports. Whenever these two neighboring nations face off on the cricket field, it’s much more than just a game – it’s a clash that captures the attention of billions and stirs deep emotions on both sides of the border.
This article will examine the head-to-head records between India and Pakistan across all formats of international cricket, highlighting key stats, memorable performances, and the unique dynamics of this storied rivalry.
We’ll look at their encounters in Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and World Cups to paint a comprehensive picture of this matchup that transcends sport.
India vs Pakistan Head To Head (1952 – 2024)
The rivalry between India and Pakistan stretches back to 1952 when the two nations first faced each other in a Test match. Since then, they’ve battled across all three formats of international cricket, producing many classic encounters and unforgettable moments along the way.
Here’s a look at the overall head-to-head record between India and Pakistan across formats:
| Format | Matches | India Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 59 | 9 | 12 | 38 |
| ODI | 135 | 57 | 73 | 5 |
| T20I | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 207 | 75 | 88 | 44 |
As we can see, Pakistan holds a slight edge overall, particularly in Tests and ODIs. However, India has dominated the more recent T20I encounters between the two sides.
India vs Pakistan in Test Cricket
Test cricket is where the India-Pakistan rivalry first took shape, with the two nations playing their inaugural Test series against each other in 1952. Over the decades, they’ve produced some epic battles in the game’s longest format.
Here’s a breakdown of their Test head-to-head record:
| Matches | Innings | India Won | Pakistan Won | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 111 | 9 | 12 | 38 |
While Pakistan holds the edge in Test wins, the most striking aspect is the high number of drawn matches – a reflection of the tense, attritional nature of many India-Pakistan Test encounters.
Test Records
Some key Test records in India-Pakistan matches:
Highest Team Total:
India: 675/5 declared (Multan, 2004)
Pakistan: 699/5 declared (Lahore, 1989)
Lowest Team Total:
India: 106 (Lucknow, 1952)
Pakistan: 116 (Bangalore, 1987)
Most Runs:
India: Sunil Gavaskar (2,089 runs)
Pakistan: Javed Miandad (2,228 runs)
Highest Individual Score:
India: Virender Sehwag (309, Multan 2004)
Pakistan: Javed Miandad (280*, Hyderabad 1983)
Most Wickets:
India: Kapil Dev (99 wickets)
Pakistan: Imran Khan (94 wickets)
Best Bowling Figures:
India: Anil Kumble (10/74, Delhi 1999)
Pakistan: Imran Khan (8/60, Karachi 1982)
India vs Pakistan In ODI Cricket
One-day cricket has produced some of the most thrilling and memorable encounters between India and Pakistan. The shorter format has seen fortunes swing dramatically and produced several nail-biting finishes.
Here’s how the two teams stack up in ODIs:
| Matches | India Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 135 | 57 | 73 | 5 |
Pakistan holds a clear advantage in ODIs, though India has been closing the gap in recent years.
ODI Records
Some notable ODI records from India-Pakistan clashes:
Highest Team Total:
India: 356/9 (Visakhapatnam, 2005)
Pakistan: 344/8 (Karachi, 2004)
Lowest Team Total:
India: 79 (Sialkot, 1978)
Pakistan: 87 (Sharjah, 1985)
Most Runs:
India: Sachin Tendulkar (2,526 runs)
Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (2,403 runs)
Highest Individual Score:
India: Virat Kohli (183, Dhaka 2012)
Pakistan: Saeed Anwar (194, Chennai 1997)
Most Wickets:
India: Anil Kumble (54 wickets)
Pakistan: Wasim Akram (60 wickets)
Best Bowling Figures:
India: Anil Kumble (6/12, Sharjah 1993)
Pakistan: Aaqib Javed (7/37, Sharjah 1991)
India vs Pakistan In T20Is
T20 cricket has added a new dimension to the India-Pakistan rivalry, with high-octane encounters in world tournaments producing instant classics.
Here’s how they match up in the shortest format:
| Matches | India Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
India has dominated T20I encounters so far, winning 9 out of 13 matches.
T20I Records
Key T20I records from India-Pakistan matches:
Highest Team Total:
India: 192/5 (Ahmedabad, 2012)
Pakistan: 182/5 (Dubai, 2022)
Lowest Team Total:
India: 119 (Colombo, 2012)
Pakistan: 83 (Dhaka, 2016)
Most Runs:
India: Virat Kohli (492 runs)
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (228 runs)
Highest Individual Score:
India: Virat Kohli (82*, Melbourne 2022)
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (79*, Dubai 2021)
Most Wickets:
India: Hardik Pandya (13 wickets)
Pakistan: Umar Gul (11 wickets)
Best Bowling Figures:
India: Hardik Pandya (3/8, Mirpur 2016)
Pakistan: Mohammad Asif (4/18, Durban 2007)
India vs Pakistan In World Cups
Due to political tensions, India and Pakistan rarely play bilateral series these days. Their encounters are now largely limited to multi-nation tournaments, particularly World Cups. This has only heightened the stakes and drama when they do meet.
The last bilateral series between the two was in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for a short limited-overs series. Since then, they’ve only faced off in ICC events and the Asia Cup.
Here’s how they’ve fared against each other in World Cups:
| Tournament | Matches | India Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 World Cup | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
India’s dominance in World Cup encounters, particularly in the 50-over format, is striking. They’ve won all 8 of their ODI World Cup matches against Pakistan. In T20 World Cups, India holds a 6-1 advantage, with one match tied (which India won in a bowl-out).
Also Read:
Conclusion: India vs Pakistan In All Cricket Formats
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry remains one of the most captivating in all of sports. While Pakistan holds an edge in the overall head-to-head record, India has dominated in recent years, particularly in ICC tournaments. The passion and intensity of these encounters make every match a must-watch event, transcending sport to become a cultural phenomenon.
As political tensions continue to limit bilateral series, each rare meeting between these two cricketing giants takes on added significance. Whether in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, an India-Pakistan cricket match is always more than just a game – it’s a clash that captures the imagination of millions and adds another chapter to one of sport’s greatest rivalries.
Leave a Comment