Introduction: Pakistan National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
There are rivalries in sports, and then there’s India vs Pakistan in cricket. This clash isn’t just about bat and ball—it’s about history, emotion, pride, and unforgettable moments that bring two nations to a standstill. From packed stadiums to living rooms full of nervous fans, the energy when India plays Pakistan is simply unmatched.
Let’s rewind the clock and relive the biggest moments from this legendary rivalry across Test matches, ODIs, and T20s.
Table of Contents
Test Matches: The Early Days and Legendary Duels (1952–2007)
1952: The First-Ever Face-Off
India and Pakistan played their first Test series just five years after independence. India won it 2-1, and legends like Vijay Hazare and Polly Umrigar left their mark. Pakistan’s Fazal Mahmood turned heads with a 12-wicket haul in their only win. It was more than a series—it was the beginning of a historic rivalry.
1955: Deadlock in Pakistan
A five-match series in Pakistan ended without a single win for either side. All five games were drawn—tight, tense, and evenly matched.
1978–79: Pakistan Takes the Edge
After nearly two decades of political tension, cricket resumed. Pakistan dominated this three-match series 2-0, thanks to stars like Zaheer Abbas and a young Imran Khan.
1982–83: Imran Khan’s Show
Pakistan’s pace legend Imran Khan ran riot in a six-match series, claiming 40 wickets. Pakistan won 3-0, stamping their dominance at home.
1999: Short and Spicy
A two-Test series saw each team win one match. Pakistan snatched the first Test in Chennai, but India bounced back strongly in Delhi.
2004: A Historic Win for India
India toured Pakistan and won a Test series there for the first time ever. Sehwag smashed a triple hundred, Dravid scored a classy 270, and the Men in Blue returned home with a 2-1 series win.
2006: Pakistan Hits Back
Pakistan took revenge at home. After two dull draws, they blew India away in Karachi, winning by a huge margin.
2007: India’s Turn Again
India hosted Pakistan and came out on top, winning the three-match series 1-0. It turned out to be the last Test series between the two countries—at least for now.
ODI Clashes: High Stakes, Higher Drama (1978–2025)
1978: The ODI Rivalry Begins
The first-ever ODI series between India and Pakistan saw the hosts take it 2-1. It was just the beginning of a rollercoaster ride.
1985: India’s Sharjah Domination
In the World Championship of Cricket, India beat Pakistan not once, but twice—including in the final. The likes of Srikkanth, Azharuddin, and Kapil Dev delivered big.
1986–87: Pakistan Turns the Tables
In a six-match ODI series, Pakistan outclassed India 5-1. Miandad, Wasim Akram, and Abdul Qadir were unstoppable.
1994: Sharjah Heartbreak
Pakistan knocked India out twice in the Pepsi Austral-Asia Cup, including in the final. Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail made the difference.
2000: Asia Cup Blow
Mohammad Yousuf’s century and Razzaq’s four wickets helped Pakistan win comfortably by 44 runs.
2006: A Close Contest
India and Pakistan split the DLF Cup series 1-1. Dravid led India to a win in one game, while Pakistan bounced back in the next.
2012-13: Pakistan Wins in India
In a rare tour, Pakistan beat India 2-1 in a three-match series. Nasir Jamshed scored two centuries, and Junaid Khan troubled Indian batsmen with his swing.
2015 World Cup: Kohli Lights Up Adelaide
Virat Kohli’s century helped India post a big total, and they went on to win by 76 runs. The World Cup record? India 6, Pakistan 0.
2025 Champions Trophy: India Wins Again
In the latest clash, India chased down a modest target to beat Pakistan by 6 wickets in Dubai. And guess what? Kohli was once again the hero with an unbeaten century.
T20Is: Fireworks, Nerves, and Magic Moments (2007–2024)
2007: The Birth of a New Rivalry Format
India and Pakistan faced off twice in the inaugural T20 World Cup. One was a bowl-out thriller in the group stage, and the other? The grand finale. India held their nerve to win by 5 runs, and Irfan Pathan picked up the Player of the Match award.
2012-13: All Square
A short two-match series ended 1-1. Pakistan won the first game, India took the second. Yuvraj Singh and Ashok Dinda turned up big.
2016: Asia Cup Domination
India chased down a small target with ease, thanks to a calm and composed knock by Virat Kohli in tough conditions.
2022 T20 World Cup: A Match for the Ages
October 23, 2022. Melbourne. Over 90,000 fans. Pakistan posted 159. India were 31/4. Then came one of the greatest T20 innings ever—Virat Kohli’s 82* off 53 balls. India won in the final over. Goosebumps, even today.
More Than Just a Game
India vs Pakistan is not just cricket—it’s emotion, pressure, and pure adrenaline. The history is rich, the tension is real, and every encounter feels like a final. Whether it’s a World Cup clash or a last-over T20 thriller, the world stops to watch.
And as the next generation of stars gets ready to carry this legacy forward, one thing’s for sure—the India vs Pakistan rivalry will never lose its magic.
