India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
The cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most intense and historic rivalries in the sport, filled with memorable moments, political tensions, and emotional fanfare. This rivalry has produced some of the most competitive matches in cricketing history. In this article, we will explore the timeline of significant matches between the two nations and present a detailed head-to-head record.
Table of Contents
Early Encounters (1952-1960)
1952 – First Test Series
India and Pakistan faced each other for the first time in a Test match series in 1952. India hosted Pakistan for a five-match series.
India won the series 2-1, marking the beginning of an iconic rivalry.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
1st Test
16-18 October 1952
Delhi
India won by an innings and 70 runs
2nd Test
23-26 October 1952
Lucknow
Pakistan won by an innings and 43 runs
3rd Test
7-12 November 1952
Bombay
Draw
4th Test
28-30 November 1952
Madras
India won by an innings and 8 runs
5th Test
12-14 December 1952
Calcutta
Draw
1954 – Pakistan Tour of India
Pakistan toured India again for a five-match Test series. The series was highly competitive, but all five matches ended in draws.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
1st Test
28-31 January 1955
Dhaka
Draw
2nd Test
12-16 February 1955
Bahawalpur
Draw
3rd Test
26 February-3 March 1955
Lahore
Draw
4th Test
19-23 March 1955
Peshawar
Draw
5th Test
7-11 April 1955
Karachi
Draw
Growth of the Rivalry (1960-1985)
1961 – India Tour of Pakistan
The 1961 series in Pakistan further solidified the intense nature of the rivalry. Once again, all five matches were drawn, reflecting the balanced competition.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
1st Test
2-7 December 1961
Lahore
Draw
2nd Test
16-21 December 1961
Dhaka
Draw
3rd Test
30 December 1961-4 January 1962
Karachi
Draw
4th Test
16-21 January 1962
Rawalpindi
Draw
5th Test
27 January-1 February 1962
Peshawar
Draw
1978 – Pakistan Tour of India
After nearly two decades, India and Pakistan resumed cricketing ties in 1978. Pakistan won the three-match series 2-0, showcasing their dominance during that period.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
1st Test
16-21 October 1978
Faisalabad
Draw
2nd Test
3-8 November 1978
Lahore
Pakistan won by 8 wickets
3rd Test
20-25 November 1978
Karachi
Pakistan won by an innings and 32 runs
1984 – India Tour of Pakistan
This tour was marred by the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Due to the tragic event, the tour was cancelled after the first two matches ended in draws.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
1st Test
10-15 October 1984
Lahore
Draw
2nd Test
24-29 October 1984
Faisalabad
Draw
ODI Rivalry Begins (1980s-1990s)
1985 – First ODI Series
India and Pakistan played their first ODI series in 1985. This marked the beginning of their limited-overs rivalry.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
1st ODI
13 October 1985
Lahore
India won by 38 runs
2nd ODI
20 October 1985
Faisalabad
Pakistan won by 6 wickets
3rd ODI
27 October 1985
Karachi
Pakistan won by 3 wickets
1996 – World Cup Quarterfinal
One of the most iconic matches between the two sides came in the 1996 Cricket World Cup when India faced Pakistan in the quarterfinals. India won the high-pressure encounter.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
World Cup Quarterfinal
9 March 1996
Bangalore
India won by 39 runs
21st Century Rivalry (2000-Present)
2003 – World Cup Clash
Another major World Cup encounter took place in 2003 when India defeated Pakistan in the group stages.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
World Cup Group Stage
1 March 2003
Centurion
India won by 6 wickets
2007 – T20 World Cup Final
The inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 saw India and Pakistan face off in the final. India emerged victorious, winning by 5 runs and becoming the first-ever T20 World Champions.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
T20 World Cup Final
24 September 2007
Johannesburg
India won by 5 runs
2011 – World Cup Semifinal
In the 2011 Cricket World Cup, India hosted Pakistan in the semifinal. The match drew massive attention globally, with India winning by 29 runs and advancing to the final.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
World Cup Semifinal
30 March 2011
Mohali
India won by 29 runs
2021 – T20 World Cup Group Stage
Pakistan made history in the 2021 T20 World Cup by defeating India for the first time in a World Cup match, winning by 10 wickets.
Match
Date
Venue
Result
T20 World Cup Group Stage
24 October 2021
Dubai
Pakistan won by 10 wickets
Head-to-Head Record
The following table summarizes the head-to-head records between India and Pakistan across different formats:
Format
Matches Played
India Wins
Pakistan Wins
Draw/No Result
Test Matches
59
9
12
38
ODI Matches
134
57
73
4
T20I Matches
13
9
4
0
Key Rivalry Moments
1996 World Cup Quarterfinal: India knocked Pakistan out of the World Cup, adding fuel to the rivalry.
2007 T20 World Cup Final: India beat Pakistan in a thrilling final to claim the inaugural T20 World Cup.
2021 T20 World Cup: Pakistan recorded their first-ever World Cup victory over India.
Conclusion
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has been defined by dramatic moments, fierce competition, and high-pressure matches. Whether it’s the tension of a World Cup knockout game or a thrilling T20 encounter, every match between these two nations is steeped in history. The rivalry continues to captivate fans across the world, making every encounter a must-watch event.
