Note (September 2026): An earlier version listed Pakistan as the winner of the first India-Pakistan ODI at Quetta in 1978, called the 1986-87 Test series a draw and gave Pakistan seven Asia Cup wins. India won that first ODI by four runs, Pakistan won the 1986-87 series 1-0, and Pakistan’s Asia Cup win count is six; all three have been corrected.
As of September 2026, India and Pakistan have played 212 men’s internationals. Pakistan leads the Test record 12-9 with 38 draws and the ODI record 73-58 with five no-results, while India leads T20 internationals 14-3 (counting the 2007 bowl-out). India has won all eight ODI World Cup meetings and the last four encounters.
Key Takeaways
- Overall: Pakistan leads the all-format count 88-81 in 212 matches, built mainly on its ODI record from the 1980s and 1990s.
- ICC events: India leads 8-0 in ODI World Cups and 8-1 in T20 World Cups; the Champions Trophy is level at 3-3.
- Recent form: India won all three meetings at the 2025 Asia Cup, including the first India-Pakistan Asia Cup final, and won by 61 runs at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
- No bilateral cricket: the last bilateral series ended in January 2013 and the last Test was played in December 2007; the teams now meet only in multi-team events, usually at neutral venues.
- Next possible meeting: both teams are in the men’s cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and could meet in the semi-finals or a medal match in early October 2026.
When it comes to cricket rivalries, nothing matches the intensity and emotion of India vs Pakistan. This isn’t just about the sport-it’s about pride, passion, and history. Millions of fans across the globe tune in every time these two giants clash. But what does the India vs Pakistan timeline actually look like? Who’s ahead in head-to-head stats? When did it all start, and what have been the most iconic moments? In this detailed guide, you’ll get the full picture-across Test, ODI, T20I, and ICC records-served in an easy, beginner-friendly style.
Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just getting into cricket, this complete India vs Pakistan cricket timeline will answer all your questions and more.
India vs Pakistan Cricket Matches Timeline: Key Results Since 1952
| Year | Format & Match/Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 1st Test Series (India vs Pakistan in Delhi) | India |
| 1978 | 1st Ever ODI Series (India won the first match at Quetta by 4 runs; Pakistan took the series 2-1) | Pakistan |
| 1985 | World Championship of Cricket Final (Melbourne) | India |
| 1986 | Austral-Asia Cup Final (Sharjah) | Pakistan |
| 1996 | ODI World Cup Quarter Final (Bengaluru) | India |
| 1999 | Test Match (Chennai) | Pakistan |
| 2003 | ODI World Cup Group Match (Centurion) | India |
| 2004 | Test Series 1st Match (Multan) | India |
| 2007 | T20 World Cup Group Match (Durban, Tie) | India (Bowl-out) |
| 2007 | T20 World Cup Final (Johannesburg) | India |
| 2011 | ODI World Cup Semi Final (Mohali) | India |
| 2012 | T20I Bilateral Series (Bengaluru) | Pakistan |
| 2014 | T20 World Cup Group Match (Mirpur) | India |
| 2015 | ODI World Cup Group Match (Adelaide) | India |
| 2016 | T20 World Cup Group Match (Kolkata) | India |
| 2017 | Champions Trophy Group Match (Birmingham) | India |
| 2017 | Champions Trophy Final (The Oval) | Pakistan |
| 2019 | ODI World Cup Group Match (Manchester) | India |
| 2021 | T20 World Cup Group Match (Dubai) | Pakistan |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup Group Match (Melbourne) | India |
| 2023 | ODI World Cup Group Match (Ahmedabad) | India |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy Group Match (Dubai, Feb 23) | India |
| 2025 | Asia Cup Group Match (Dubai) | India |
| 2025 | Asia Cup Super Fours (Dubai) | India |
| 2025 | Asia Cup Final (Dubai, Sep 28) | India |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup Group Match (Colombo, Feb 15) | India |
The Beginning: India Vs Pakistan Cricket Timeline from 1952
How the Rivalry Took Root in the Cricketing World
The India vs Pakistan cricket journey began in 1952, just five years after both nations gained independence. Pakistan toured India for the very first time in a five-match Test series. Since then, the two teams have met across multiple formats-Test matches, ODIs, T20s, and ICC tournaments.
The early matches were slower and more traditional. Yet even then, the tension on the pitch reflected more than just the scoreboard-it reflected decades of shared history.
Test Matches: The Classic Duels
Head-to-Head in India Vs Pakistan Test Matches
India and Pakistan have faced each other 59 times in Test matches. These matches were often drawn due to slower pitch conditions and defensive strategies. Here’s the summary:
- Total Tests Played: 59
- India Wins: 9
- Pakistan Wins: 12
- Draws: 38
Some of the most memorable Test cricket came in the late 1970s and 1980s. Pakistan won the 1978-79 home series 2-0, and the 1986-87 series in India was decided only in the fifth and final Test at Bangalore, which Pakistan won by 16 runs to take the series 1-0, its first Test series win in India.
ODI Matches: Speed, Skill & Surprises
How the ODI Format Made the Rivalry Global
ODIs brought more excitement and viewership to the India vs Pakistan rivalry. From the first ODI clash in 1978 to now, these matches have seen everything-thrilling finishes, controversial decisions, and brilliant performances.
- Total ODIs Played: 136
- India Wins: 58
- Pakistan Wins: 73
- No Results: 5.
Pakistan dominated the early years, but India started turning things around in the 2000s, especially in ICC events.
T20I Matches: Short Format, Big Drama
How T20 Changed the Game for Both Nations
The rise of T20 cricket has added a fresh twist to this rivalry. The two nations have met 13 times in this format up to the 2024 T20 World Cup, with the results listed below. Four more meetings since then, all won by India, take the total to 17 as of September 2026: India 13 outright wins, Pakistan 3 and one tie, the 2007 Durban match that India won in a bowl-out and that most head-to-head tables count as a 14th India win.
- India Wins: 9
- Pakistan Wins: 3
- Tied: 1
The most iconic match? The 2007 T20 World Cup Final, where India beat Pakistan in a last-over thriller. T20 matches between the two are often fast-paced and filled with crowd-pulling action.
Afghanistan Vs Bangladesh Cricket Team Standings.
ICC Tournaments: Global Stage, Bigger Pressure
India vs Pakistan in ICC Tournaments Over the Years
Cricket matches between India and Pakistan in ICC tournaments are viewed by hundreds of millions. These games are high-pressure and often decide who moves forward in key events like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and T20 World Cup.
Major ICC Tournament Stats:
- World Cup (ODI): India leads 8–0.
- T20 World Cup: India 7 – Pakistan 1 – 1 tie in nine matches as of September 2026. India won the 2007 tie in a bowl-out, so most tables show the record as 8-1.
- Champions Trophy: 3 wins each.
- Asia Cup (ODI + T20I): India leads with 13 wins to Pakistan’s 6 as of September 2026, including three India wins at the 2025 Asia Cup; the remaining meetings ended without a result.
The 2017 Champions Trophy final was the only ICC final Pakistan won against India—by a huge margin of 180 runs.
India Vs Pakistan Full Match List: A Timeline You Can’t Miss
Year-Wise Breakdown of All Major Matches
Here’s a sample breakdown (summary format):
| Year | Format | Winner | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Test | India | First Ever Series |
| 1978 | ODI | Pakistan | First ODI series (Pakistan won 2-1; India won the opening match at Quetta) |
| 1996 | ODI | India | World Cup Quarter Final |
| 2007 | T20I | India | T20 World Cup Final |
| 2011 | ODI | India | World Cup Semi-Final |
| 2017 | ODI | Pakistan | Champions Trophy Final |
| 2023 | ODI | India | World Cup Group Stage. |
This sample list mixes ICC events and bilateral series. The fuller year-by-year table at the top of this page, and the sections below on the most recent results, cover the latest encounters, including the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Most Iconic Matches in India Vs Pakistan History
Games That Left Fans Speechless
- 2007 T20 World Cup Final – Last-over thriller won by India.
- 2011 World Cup Semi-Final – High-pressure win in Mohali.
- 2017 Champions Trophy Final – Pakistan’s most dominant win ever.
- 1996 World Cup – Heated quarter-final in Bengaluru.
- 2022 T20 World Cup – Virat Kohli’s masterclass at the MCG.
These matches brought unforgettable moments, from Javed Miandad’s jump to Kohli’s back-to-back sixes.
Zimbabwe Vs India Cricket Timeline.
India Vs Pakistan Since 2025: An Unbroken Run
The rivalry has been remarkably one-sided since the middle of 2025. India and Pakistan met three times at the 2025 Asia Cup and India won all three, then met again at the 2026 T20 World Cup, where India won a fourth time in a row.
Asia Cup 2025. The two sides were drawn together in the group stage, met again in the Super Fours, and then, for the first time in the tournament’s history, faced each other in the final. India won the group match by seven wickets, the Super Fours match by six wickets, and the final on 28 September 2025 by five wickets with two balls to spare, taking a ninth Asia Cup title.
T20 World Cup 2026. Their group match in Colombo on 15 February 2026 followed the same pattern. India made 175 for 7, with Ishan Kishan scoring 77 from 40 balls, and bowled Pakistan out for 114 to win by 61 runs.
Those four results are why the T20 international head-to-head has shifted so sharply. As recently as mid-2025 India led that column 10–3; the count now stands at 14–3.
India Vs Pakistan Head to Head Stats (All Formats)
Who Leads in Which Format?
| Format | Matches | India Wins | Pakistan Wins | Draw/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 59 | 9 | 12 | 38 |
| ODI | 136 | 58 | 73 | 5 |
| T20I | 17 | 14 | 3 | 0 |
Overall, Pakistan leads in total wins, 88 to 81 across all three formats as of September 2026, but India dominates ICC events and modern formats.
The Impact of Neutral Venue Matches
Why India Vs Pakistan Now Only Happens at ICC Events
Due to political reasons, bilateral series between the two countries are now suspended. Most recent matches have taken place in neutral venues such as Dubai, Colombo, New York, England and Australia, during ICC events and the Asia Cup.
This has made each clash even more precious-fans around the world wait years to see these two sides compete.
Where to Watch & Stay Updated
Never Miss an India vs Pakistan Clash Again
You can watch India vs Pakistan matches on platforms like:
- JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar)
- Sony LIV / Sony Sports
- Star Sports / PTV Sports (Pakistan)
- YouTube highlights from ICC.
Follow official cricket boards like BCCI and PCB for the latest match schedules.
India Women Vs Sri Lanka Women Cricket Standings.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Game
The India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry is more than just numbers. It’s a story of two nations, generations of players, and billions of emotional fans. Whether it’s an ICC final or a group-stage match, every ball counts.
This guide gave you the complete India vs Pakistan cricket timeline, match history, stats, and legendary moments-all in simple words. Whether you’re prepping for the next big game or just diving into cricket history, now you know why this rivalry is the most intense in the world.
“When India and Pakistan play cricket, it’s more than just a match-it’s a battle of legacy, pride, and billions of hearts beating as one.” 🏏
What Is the India vs Pakistan Record at Each Tournament?
The India vs Pakistan head-to-head looks very different tournament by tournament. The table below shows the men’s record in each major multi-team competition as of September 2026, based on the records kept by ESPNcricinfo and summarized on Wikipedia.
| Competition | Matches | India wins | Pakistan wins | Tie / No result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 World Cup | 9 | 8 (incl. 2007 bowl-out) | 1 | 0 |
| Champions Trophy | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Asia Cup (ODI and T20I) | 21-22 | 13 | 6 | 2-3 (record-keepers differ) |
Pakistan’s only T20 World Cup win over India came in Dubai in 2021. Pakistan’s three Champions Trophy wins came in 2004, 2009 and the 2017 final, while India won in 2013, the 2017 group stage and 2025.
What Were the Most Recent India vs Pakistan Results?
India has won every completed India vs Pakistan match since the 2023 Asia Cup. These are the most recent men’s meetings, all played in multi-team events.
| Date | Event and venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 11 September 2023 | Asia Cup Super Four, Colombo (ODI) | India won by 228 runs after making 356 for 2 |
| 14 October 2023 | ODI World Cup, Ahmedabad | India won by 7 wickets |
| 9 June 2024 | T20 World Cup, New York | India won by 6 runs |
| 23 February 2025 | Champions Trophy, Dubai (ODI) | India won by 6 wickets; Virat Kohli made his 51st ODI century |
| 14 September 2025 | Asia Cup group stage, Dubai (T20I) | India won by 7 wickets |
| 21 September 2025 | Asia Cup Super Four, Dubai (T20I) | India won by 6 wickets; Abhishek Sharma 74 from 39 balls |
| 28 September 2025 | Asia Cup final, Dubai (T20I) | India won by 5 wickets; Tilak Varma 69 not out, Kuldeep Yadav 4 for 30 |
| 15 February 2026 | T20 World Cup, Colombo | India won by 61 runs; Ishan Kishan 77 |
The 61-run win in Colombo was Pakistan’s heaviest T20 international defeat against India. India went on to win the 2026 T20 World Cup, beating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final on 8 March 2026 to become the first team to retain the title, while Pakistan went out in the Super 8 stage on net run rate. For the full list of champions, see the T20 World Cup winners list.
Off-Field Tensions: Handshakes, Trophies and Boycott Threats
The India vs Pakistan rivalry since 2025 has been shaped as much by events off the field as on it. The 2025 Asia Cup took place a few months after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, and relations between the teams were strained throughout.
- No handshakes: India’s players did not shake hands with Pakistan’s after the Asia Cup group match, and captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the victims of the Pahalgam attack. There was again no handshake between the captains at the 2026 T20 World Cup match in Colombo.
- Fines: Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan were fined for gestures during the Asia Cup Super Four match.
- The trophy dispute: after the 2025 Asia Cup final, India refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister.
- The 2026 boycott threat: on 1 February 2026, Pakistan’s government said the team would boycott the T20 World Cup match against India. The decision was withdrawn on 9 February after ICC member boards urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to play, and the match went ahead in Colombo on 15 February.
Why Are India vs Pakistan Matches Played at Neutral Venues?
India vs Pakistan matches are played at neutral venues because neither team currently travels to the other country. In December 2024, the ICC confirmed that during the 2024-2027 rights cycle, any India vs Pakistan match at an ICC event hosted by either country would be moved to a neutral venue. That is why India played its 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Dubai and why Pakistan played its 2026 T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
The Indian government’s position is also formal. In August 2025, India’s sports ministry set out a policy of no bilateral sporting contests with Pakistan, while allowing Indian teams to face Pakistan in multilateral events such as the Asia Cup, ICC tournaments and the Asian Games. The last bilateral series, a short white-ball tour of India, ended in January 2013, and the last Test series was played in India in 2007-08, which India won 1-0.
When Could India and Pakistan Play Next?
The next possible India vs Pakistan men’s match is at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Men’s cricket at the Games is played in the T20 format, and India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh went straight into the quarter-finals.
- Quarter-finals (28-29 September 2026): India face Afghanistan and Pakistan face Hong Kong, so the rivals cannot meet at this stage.
- Semi-finals (1 October 2026) and medal matches (3 October 2026): India and Pakistan could meet if both win their quarter-finals.
- Squads: India are led by Shreyas Iyer and Pakistan by Sahibzada Farhan, with several senior players left out of both sides.
Whether an Asian Games meeting would be added to the official T20 international head-to-head depends on the status the match is given, so check ESPNcricinfo’s records after the Games before quoting an updated count.
How Are India vs Pakistan Records Counted?
Different websites can show slightly different India vs Pakistan numbers, and the gaps usually come from three counting choices.
- The 2007 bowl-out: the T20 World Cup match in Durban was tied and India won the bowl-out. Most tables count it as an India win (India 14-3 in T20Is), while strict records list it as a tie (India 13, Pakistan 3, one tie).
- No-results: abandoned Asia Cup fixtures are counted differently by different record-keepers, which is why Asia Cup totals vary by one match.
- Men’s senior cricket only: the figures on this page cover men’s senior internationals. Women’s and under-19 matches have separate records.
Related Cricket Guides
For more on the teams and tournaments in this rivalry, see the ICC Cricket World Cup winners list, India’s record in another long-running fixture in India vs New Zealand cricket, the India vs England head-to-head record, and the full list of India national cricket team coaches.
FAQs – India Vs Pakistan Cricket Timeline
1. How many times have India and Pakistan played in World Cups?
India and Pakistan have met 8 times in ODI World Cups. India has won all 8.
2. When was the first India vs Pakistan cricket match played?
The first official Test match was in 1952 when Pakistan toured India.
3. Who has won more cricket matches between India and Pakistan?
Pakistan still leads the combined count, largely on the strength of the one-day record, but India leads clearly in T20 internationals and in ICC tournaments. India has also won the last four meetings across the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
4. Why don’t India and Pakistan play bilateral series anymore?
Due to political tensions, bilateral cricket has been paused since 2013.
5. Which was the most iconic India vs Pakistan match?
The 2007 T20 World Cup Final and the 2011 World Cup Semi-Final are among the most memorable.
6. Where can I watch India vs Pakistan live matches?
In India, ICC events stream on JioHotstar (formed in February 2025 when Disney+ Hotstar merged with JioCinema) and air on Star Sports. Rights to other tournaments, such as the Asia Cup, can sit with other broadcasters including Sony Sports, so check the official broadcaster listing for each event, or ICC’s official platforms for highlights.
7. Who scored the most runs in India vs Pakistan matches?
Sachin Tendulkar (India) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) are among the top run-getters.
8. How many T20 internationals have India and Pakistan played?
They have played 17 T20 internationals and India has won 14. The 2007 T20 World Cup group match in Durban finished level and was decided by a bowl-out, which is recorded as an India win.
9. How many times have India and Pakistan met in T20 World Cups?
They have played nine T20 World Cup matches and India has won eight of them. Pakistan’s only win came in the 2021 group match in Dubai. The most recent meeting was in Colombo on 15 February 2026, which India won by 61 runs.
10. Who won the 2025 Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan?
India won all three. The two sides met in the group stage, again in the Super Fours and then in the final on 28 September 2025 — the first Asia Cup final contested by both — which India won by five wickets to take a ninth title.
The age-group fixture has its own history — India U19 against Pakistan U19 tracks that record.
Has Pakistan ever beaten India in an ODI World Cup?
No. India has won all eight ODI World Cup matches against Pakistan, from Sydney in 1992 to Ahmedabad in 2023, where India won by seven wickets.
When did India and Pakistan last play a Test match?
India and Pakistan last played a Test in December 2007, in Bangalore, the final match of a three-Test series that India won 1-0. There have been no Tests between the two sides since.
What is India’s biggest T20I win over Pakistan?
India’s biggest T20 international win over Pakistan is the 61-run victory at the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo on 15 February 2026, when India made 175 for 7 and bowled Pakistan out for 114.
Did India and Pakistan shake hands at the 2025 Asia Cup?
No. India’s players did not shake hands with Pakistan’s at the September 2025 Asia Cup, and after the final India declined to receive the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi. The captains also did not shake hands at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Will India and Pakistan play each other at the 2026 Asian Games?
India and Pakistan could meet at the 2026 Asian Games only in the semi-finals on 1 October or a medal match on 3 October 2026, and only if both win their quarter-finals against Afghanistan and Hong Kong respectively.
