India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head

image-lj7bwkqqSachin Tendulkar was a prolific performer vs Pakistan [Source: Twitter]

Among all games, cricket is celebrated like a religion in the subcontinent, and when we talk about cricket in the subcontinent, a significant part of the discussion revolves around the two giant powerhouses, India and Pakistan. It's a rivalry that never ceases to amaze. When both teams take on each other on a cricket field, their fans root for them as if there is no tomorrow, and this is the ultimate battle they have to conquer and can't lose by any means. So, as we are going to celebrate the mother of all battles very soon, here's a sincere attempt to answer all your queries regarding the historic rivalry. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Exploring the numbers

The arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, locked horns with each other for the very first time in a Test match way back on 16th October 1952 at the iconic Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. India outclassed their neighbours, winning the fixture convincingly by an innings and 70 runs. 

Meanwhile, the first ODI between these two teams was played on 1st October 1978 at Ayub National Stadium in Quetta, which India won by a narrow margin of four runs. 

Talking about the shortest format, the first-ever T20I between the two teams was played in the inaugural World T20 at Kingsmead in Durban, which was again won by India in a bowl-out after the game was tied. 

Overall, India and Pakistan have clashed in a whopping 203 matches across all formats of the game. Speaking about ODIs, there have been seven ICC World Cup encounters between the two teams, with India emerging victorious on all occasions. However, Pakistan hold an upper hand by a bare 3-2 margin in the ICC Champions Trophy. 

Meanwhile, India have the edge over their counterparts in Asia Cup ODIs, winning eight of the fourteen fixtures (Pakistan have won 5, one game has ended in no result).


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Records

Overall, India and Pakistan have crossed swords in 59 Test matches. While Pakistan have won 12, India have managed nine victories, with 38 matches being concluded in a stalemate. 

Talking about ODIs, there have been 132 encounters between these two teams. While India have won 55, Pakistan have emerged victorious on 73 occasions, with four games ending without a result. 

However, unlike the longer formats, India have a clear upper hand over Pakistan in T20Is, winning nine of the twelve face-offs. 


Overview of the head-to-head records

From the head-to-head record, it is crystal-clear that Pakistan have an upper hand over India in Tests and ODIs. While the margin is small in the purest format, Pakistan have proved themselves to be a comprehensively better unit in 50-over cricket. 

Pakistan's dominance over India in ODI cricket can be credited to their exceptional performance in the late 1980s and the '90s, when they took their 50-over game to the next level. The emergence of world-class white-ball specialists like Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis etc. played a massive role in revolutionising Pakistan's ODI game, helping them win 40 matches as compared to India's 19 between 1986 and 1999. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: A Historical Perspective

  • Total Tests played: 59; First Test: 16-18 October; 1952, Delhi, Last Test: 8-12 December, 2007, Bengaluru
  • Total ODIs played: 132; First ODI: 1st October, 1978, Quetta; Last ODI: 16th June, 2019, Manchester
  • Total T20Is played: 12; First T20I: 14th September, 2007, Durban; Last T20I: 23rd October, 2022, Melbourne


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Who Has the Edge?

  • Total Tests played: 59, India have won: 9, Pakistan have won: 12, Drawn: 38
  • Total ODIs played: 132, India have won: 55, Pakistan have won: 73, No result: 4
  • Total T20Is played: 12, India have won: 9, Pakistan have won: 3


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Runs, Wickets, and More

Tests

image-lj8c0q57Sehwag was a force against Pakistan (Twitter)

  • Most runs: PAK- Javed Miandad (2228 runs in 39 inns), IND- Sunil Gavaskar (2089 runs in 41 inns)
  • Most hundreds: PAK- Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar (6), IND- Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Polly Umrigar (5)
  • Most ducks: PAK- Danish Kaneria (7), IND- Dilip Doshi and Maninder Singh (5)
  • Highest individual score: IND- Virender Sehwag (309), PAK- Javed Miandad (280*)
  • Most wickets: IND- Kapil Dev (99 wickets in 45 inns), PAK- Imran Khan (94 wickets in 38 inns)
  • Best bowling figures in an innings: IND- Anil Kumble (10/74), PAK- Imran Khan (8/60)
  • Best bowling figures in a match: IND- Anil Kumble (14/149), PAK- Fazal Mahmood (12/94)


ODIs
  • Most runs: IND- Sachin Tendulkar (2526 runs in 67 inns), PAK- Inzamam-ul-Haq (2403 runs in 64 inns)
  • Most hundreds: IND- Sachin Tendulkar (5), PAK- Salman Butt (5)
  • Most ducks: PAK- Shahid Afridi (6), IND- Javagal Srinath (6)
  • Highest individual score: PAK- Saeed Anwar (194), IND- Virat Kohli (183)
  • Most wickets: PAK- Wasim Akram (60 wickets in 47 inns), IND- Anil Kumble (54 wickets in 33 inns)
  • Best bowling figures in a match: PAK- Aqib Javed (7/37), IND- Sourav Ganguly (5/16)


T20Is

image-lj8c1vokKohli pulled off a heist vs PAK in T20 WC 2022 (Twitter)

  • Most runs: IND- Virat Kohli (488 runs in 10 inns), PAK- Mohammad Rizwan (197 runs in 4 inns)
  • Most fifties: IND- Virat Kohli (5), PAK- Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Hafeez (2)
  • Most ducks: IND- Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya (2), Umar Akmal and Babar Azam (1)
  • Highest individual score: IND- Virat Kohli (82*), PAK- Mohammad Rizwan (79*)
  • Most wickets: IND - Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya (11 wickets in 7 inns), PAK- Umar Gul (11 wickets in 6 inns)
  • Best bowling figures in a match: PAK- Mohammad Asif (4/18), IND- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/26)


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Reliving Memorable Moments

Both teams share a fierce rivalry, so there have been several nail-biting encounters between them. Here we mention some most iconic Indo-Pak face-offs including the moments that will be etched forever in our memories forever. 

  • Sachin Tendulkar's 98 stuns Pakistan in 2003 World Cup: It was the 36th match of the ICC World Cup 2003. On a tricky Centurion track, Pakistan posted a challenging total of 273 runs, courtesy of a fabulous century from Saeed Anwar. However, Sachin Tendulkar stepped up for India, helping them ace the chase with a counter-attacking 75-ball 98, including twelve fours and an iconic six off Shoaib Akhtar over third-man. 
  • Shahid Afridi's twin hits seals the game for Pakistan: It was a do-or-die encounter for India to stay alive in the Asia Cup 2014. Batting first, the Men in Blue posted a modest total of 245 runs, thanks to fighting half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja. However, the Indian bowlers gave Pakistan a run for their money, reducing them to 236 for nine. With his side requiring nine runs in four balls, legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi slammed two consecutive sixes off Ravichandran Ashwin to secure a memorable win for Pakistan. 
  • Ajay Jadeja smashes Waqar Younis; Venkatesh Prasad rattles Aamer Sohail in 1996 World Cup: Talking about the 1996 World Cup clash between the two teams, Ajay Jadeja hammered Waqar Younis to all corners, propelling India to a massive total of 287 runs. However, Pakistan were cruising towards the target, placed at 84 for no loss in 10 overs. But the Indian bowlers were quick to turn things around, as Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad dismissed Anwar and Sohail, respectively, to open the floodgates for Pakistan. While Anwar was caught, Sohail was castled by Prasad immediately after hitting him for a boundary. The scenes of Sohail sledging Prasad, with the bowler giving him a send off in the very next ball is vividly remembered till date by the Indian fans. 


The Thrilling Match of T20 World Cup 2022: Unforgettable Moments

The most recent encounter between India and Pakistan will be remembered for ages, as it depicted the incredible match-winning capability of talismanic Indian batter Virat Kohli for the umpteenth time. 

Chasing a moderate target of 160 runs, India were on the verge of an embarrassing defeat, placed at 31 for four in 6.1 overs. However, a magnificent 113-run stand between Kohli and Hardik Pandya for the fifth wicket paved the way for an Indian victory, as they chased the total in the very last delivery. 

While Pandya contributed 40 runs, Kohli's unbeaten 82*, including an immortal six off Haris Rauf over the long-on, became a significant part of the cricketing folklore. 


1986 Austral-Asia Cup Final, Sharjah: The Battle that Shaped the Rivalry

image-lj8c39x3Miandad smashed a memorable six off Chetan Sharma (Twitter)

Although there are several iconic matches played between India and Pakistan, the one battle that truly ignited the craze for this high-voltage rivalry dates back to 1986, when a certain Javed Miandad shell-shocked millions Indians by smacking Chetan Sharma for a six and helping Pakistan win the cliffhanger by one wicket in the final delivery. 

Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 245 runs, thanks to scintillating half-centuries from Kris Srikkanth, Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar. In response, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals, with the game going down to the wire. However, when the equation read four off the last ball, Miandad smashed Chetan Sharma out of the park to secure an emphatic win for Pakistan. 


Legendary Performances: Players Who Stole the Show

  • Virat Kohli: 183 (148), Mirpur, Asia Cup 2014
  • Saeed Anwar: 194 (146), Pepsi Independence cup, 1997
  • Sachin Tendulkar: 136, Chennai Test, 1999
  • Fakhar Zaman: 114 (106), ICC Champions Trophy Final, 2017
  • Rohit Sharma: 140 (113), ICC World Cup 2019
  • Mohammad Amir: 3/16, ICC Champions Trophy Final, 2017
  • Anil Kumble: 10/74, Delhi Test, 1999
  • Wahab Riaz: 5/46, ICC World Cup Semi Final, 2011
  • Venkatesh Prasad: 5/27, ICC World Cup, 1999
  • Shaheen Afridi: 3/31, ICC T20 World Cup, 2021


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Analyzing the Key Factors

Although both teams often get involved in nail-biting tussles, India versus Pakistan is not only about cricket; in fact it's much more than it. The factor which makes an Indo-Pak encounter the ultimate classic is precisely the political relationship both countries share with each other. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Historical Context

Pakistan was created as a result of partition from British-India on August 14, 1947, a day before India's independence. Since then, both countries have a tendency to outclass each other in every aspect of life, including sports. So, whenever these two teams take on each other, their fans want them to win and show their prowess to the opponent. 

Furthermore, several wars have been fought between the two nations over the years for Jammu & Kashmir, an Indian state which holds massive geo-political significance for its geographical location and natural resources. Thus, a sense of patriotism is prevailed among the players, making the face-offs worth-watching, whenever India and Pakistan clash on a cricket field. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Battle of the Titans

India has been a hub of world-class batters, with stalwarts like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli etc. gracing their dressing room over the years. 

On the contrary, Pakistan is known for producing lethal fast bowlers like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis etc. So, historically, India have been dependent on their batters, while Pakistan have relied on their seamers in order to be successful. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Key Players from India and Pakistan

Currently, India are studded with some exceptional match-winners like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Meanwhile, Pakistan also have several players- Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi- who can win the game on their own on any given day. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Strategies and Tactics

Pakistan have always believed in testing the Indian batters with pace and movement through some hostile fast bowling. Meanwhile, India have succeeded when their batters and spinners have performed exceedingly against the arch-rivals. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Pressure and Expectations

As already mentioned, the rivalry between India and Pakistan is much more than cricket owing to their sour political relationship. So, the players, besides trying their best on the field, need to overcome these mental challenges in order to conquer their opponents. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Understanding the Pressure

Whenever India and Pakistan take on each other, the eyes of everyone- from fans to media-lie on the players from both sides, who are expected to perform exceedingly well in the mega clash. This certainly keeps the players under the pump, as they have to conquer not only the opponent but also these mental challenges. 


Fan Expectations and Their Impact

When India and Pakistan lock horns with each other, players are burdened by the expectations of the fans, who want them to perform at every cost in this ultimate battle. If they manage to do so, they get the status of Demi-Gods. But upon failing, they are brutally trolled, especially on social media, which adversely affects their mental health. 


India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head: Competing Against a Fierce Rival

image-lj8c65tyVerbal spat between Dravid & Akhtar in CT 2004 (Twitter)

Competing against an arch-rival is always an uphill task for a team, as they expect tough challenge from their counterparts. They understand that the path to victory won't be a cakewalk; so they don't have an option other than outclassing their opponents through dedication and teamwork. 


Ind vs Pak Head-to-Head: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the head-to-head record between India and Pakistan in cricket?

  • Total Tests played: 59, India have won: 9, Pakistan have won: 12, Drawn: 38
  • Total ODIs played: 132, India have won: 55, Pakistan have won: 73, No result: 4
  • Total T20Is played: 12, India have won: 9, Pakistan have won: 3


Which India vs Pakistan match is considered the most iconic?

Although there have been several nail-biting encounters between India and Pakistan in the past, the recently-held T20 World Cup game in Melbourne is considered as the most iconic one between the arch-rivals due to sheer drama and multiple twists and turns. 


How do political tensions impact the India vs Pakistan rivalry?

The relationship between India and Pakistan soured during the 1999 Kargil war and worsened after the Pak-sponsored Mumbai terror attack in 2008, with India dissolving the bilateral cricketing ties with their arch-rivals. Since 2013, they have played against each other only in multinational events like Champions Trophy, World Cup and Asia Cup. 


Who are some key players to watch out for in an Ind vs Pak match?

Key Players from India: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Siraj

Key Players from Pakistan: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf


What are the expectations and pressures faced by players in these matches?

When India and Pakistan lock horns with each other, players are burdened by the expectations of the fans, who want them to perform at every cost in this ultimate battle. If they manage to do so, they get the status of Demi-Gods. But upon failing, they are brutally trolled, especially on social media, which adversely affects their mental health. 


Conclusion: A Historic Rivalry Continues

Amidst long-standing political tension between the BCCI and PCB due to the Asia Cup fiasco, arch-rivals India and Pakistan will continue to enthral the spectators going forward. 

Considering we have the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup later this year, we expect these two incredible teams to take on each other multiple times and give a new dimension to this epic rivalry.