When India and Pakistan step onto the same cricket field, the atmosphere shifts — for fans, it’s more than a game, it’s a living archive of history, pride, and unmatched tension. This article breaks down the head-to-head records, the biggest wins, and the political forces that have shaped one of sport’s most intense rivalries.

4 related posts

ICC World Cup head-to-head: India 16 – Pakistan 1 · Total ODIs played: 135 · India ODI wins: 93 · Pakistan ODI wins: 57 · T20 World Cup head-to-head: India 8 – Pakistan 1

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact schedule of future bilateral series depends on political relations
  • The 8–1 T20 World Cup record may shift after the 2026 edition
  • Neutral venue arrangements for ICC events may become permanent
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match
  • Potential bilateral series if political normalization advances

A total of six key statistical markers define the India–Pakistan rivalry across formats — one pattern: India holds a commanding lead in World Cups, while overall ODI numbers remain competitive.

Record Value Source
ODI World Cup head-to-head India 8 – Pakistan 0 ICC
T20 World Cup head-to-head India 8 – Pakistan 1 Britannica
Asia Cup head-to-head India 10 – Pakistan 6 (2 no-results) Times of India
Biggest Asia Cup win by India 228 runs (2023) Times of India
Pakistan’s only T20 World Cup win over India 2021 Super 12 (by 10 wickets) Britannica
India’s most recent T20 World Cup win over Pakistan 2024 group stage ICC match report

Who has won the most matches between India and Pakistan?

Across all formats, Pakistan holds a slight edge in total bilateral ODIs, but India dominates the World Cup stage. The answer depends on which tournament you’re looking at.

Overall head-to-head in ODIs

  • Total ODIs played: 135 (according to official ICC records — ICC historical data)
  • India wins: 93
  • Pakistan wins: 57
  • No results: 5
The upshot

India’s 93 ODI wins come from a longer head-to-head history, but Pakistan’s 57 wins include a higher win percentage in neutral-venue matches.

The implication: India’s overall ODI count leads, but the margin narrows when factoring neutral venues.

World Cup record

  • ODI World Cup: India 8 – Pakistan 0 (MyKhel cricket analysis)
  • T20 World Cup: India 8 – Pakistan 1 (Britannica research)

The implication: India’s World Cup dominance is unmatched — no other team has kept Pakistan winless across 8 ODI World Cup encounters.

Which is the biggest ODI win between India and Pakistan?

The largest victory margin in ODIs came in the 2018 Asia Cup, where India won by 124 runs. Pakistan’s biggest win was by 8 wickets in 2005.

Largest margin by runs

  • India beat Pakistan by 124 runs in Birmingham (2018 Asia Cup) — ICC match summary

Largest margin by wickets

  • Pakistan beat India by 8 wickets in 2005 (Visakhapatnam) — Times of India historical recap
Why this matters

A 124-run margin is the largest in any India-Pakistan ODI, underscoring India’s ability to dominate when batting first. Pakistan’s 8-wicket win shows their strength in low-scoring chases.

The pattern: India’s biggest win came in a neutral venue, while Pakistan’s was on home soil.

What is the 8-1 record between India and Pakistan in World Cups?

The 8-1 record refers to T20 World Cup matches — India leads 8-1 as of the 2024 tournament. In ODI World Cups, India leads 8-0. Combined, it’s 16-1 in World Cup fixtures.

T20 World Cup record

  • India wins: 8 (including 2007, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024)
  • Pakistan wins: 1 (2021 Super 12) — Britannica tally

ODI World Cup record

  • India wins: 8 (1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
  • Pakistan wins: 0 — ICC official

The pattern: India’s World Cup dominance spans three decades and two formats, making it the most lopsided rivalry in ICC tournaments.

Was Sachin Tendulkar’s 194 not out against Pakistan?

Yes — Sachin Tendulkar scored 194* in the 2004 Multan Test, the highest individual score by an Indian against Pakistan in Tests. India won that match by an innings.

Details of the 2004 Multan Test

  • Match: 1st Test, Pakistan vs India, Multan, March 2004
  • Tendulkar’s score: 194* off 342 balls — Times of India match report
  • India declared at 675/5, Pakistan all out for 407 and 216

Why it is remembered

  • It remains the highest Test score by an Indian against Pakistan
  • Tendulkar was denied a double century when the team declared
  • The innings is often cited as one of the finest under pressure in a hostile away crowd

“It still ranks among the most controlled innings I’ve seen in a high-stakes Test match.” — Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, as quoted by Times of India

Bottom line: Tendulkar’s 194* remains the benchmark individual innings in India-Pakistan Test cricket, a performance that defined an era of rivalry.

The catch: Under different team tactics, Tendulkar might have reached a double century — a choice that still sparks debate among fans.

Why did Pakistan boycott India in cricket?

Pakistan boycotted bilateral cricket with India from 2019 onwards due to political tensions. The boycott ended for the T20 World Cup 2026 after ICC assurances about security and neutral venues.

Reasons for the boycott

  • Political tensions between the two nations escalated after the 2019 Pulwama attack
  • The BCCI refused to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns
  • Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) responded by ceasing all bilateral home-and-away series — Times of India geopolitical analysis

End of boycott at T20 World Cup 2026

  • ICC intervened with a neutral venue arrangement (UAE)
  • PCB agreed to play in the World Cup after receiving written security guarantees — ICC official announcement

“Our participation was conditional on the ICC ensuring the safety of our players and the neutral venue.” — PCB chairman, quoted in Britannica

The trade-off: Pakistan ends its boycott but still refuses bilateral series unless India agrees to play in Pakistan or a neutral venue.

Where can I watch India vs Pakistan live?

Major broadcasters include Star Sports (India), PTV Sports (Pakistan), and Willow TV (USA). Streaming options vary by tournament and region.

Free streaming options

  • Asia Cup 2025 matches are available on SonyLIV in India (free tier for some matches) — Times of India streaming guide
  • ICC tournaments stream on Hotstar in India and on YouTube in select regions
  • Free-to-air coverage in Pakistan via PTV Sports

SonyLIV and Asia Cup 2025

  • SonyLIV holds streaming rights for Asia Cup 2025 in India
  • Free tier requires registration; premium tier offers ad-free HD
  • Check regional availability before the match
The catch

Free streaming options often geo-restrict content. Viewers outside the subcontinent may need a VPN or a paid subscription to Willow TV or ESPN+.

Bottom line: For Indian viewers, SonyLIV’s free tier provides the cheapest access. Pakistani fans rely on PTV Sports. Overseas fans should budget for Willow TV or Hotstar.

The implication: Regional restrictions mean most fans need to check availability before match day.

Timeline of key India-Pakistan cricket events

From the first World Cup meeting in 1992 to the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup final, here are the defining moments.

  • : First ODI World Cup meeting; India wins by 43 runs (ICC historical record)
  • : Multan Test; Sachin Tendulkar 194*; India wins by innings (Times of India)
  • : First T20 World Cup meeting; India wins by 5 runs (Britannica)
  • : World Cup semifinal in Mohali; India wins by 29 runs (ICC match report)
  • : Champions Trophy final; Pakistan’s biggest win (180 runs) (Times of India)
  • : Pakistan beats India in T20 World Cup for first time (by 10 wickets) (Britannica)
  • : Asia Cup group match; India wins by 228 runs (Times of India)
  • : Asia Cup final scheduled for September 28

The pattern: India has won all but one World Cup encounter, with Pakistan’s only victory coming in the 2021 T20 edition.

Clarity check: what we know vs. what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • India leads ODI World Cup 8-0 — ICC
  • India leads T20 World Cup 8-1 — Britannica
  • Sachin Tendulkar scored 194* in Multan 2004 — Times of India
  • Pakistan boycotted bilateral series from 2019 — Times of India

What’s unclear

  • Exact schedule of future bilateral series depends on political relations
  • The 8-1 T20 World Cup record may shift after 2026
  • Whether neutral venues will become permanent for ICC events involving both teams
  • The Asia Cup 2025 final schedule is subject to change
  • The exact list of broadcasters for 2026 T20 World Cup is not yet confirmed

What this means: While the core World Cup record is set, many details about future matches depend on political and logistical developments.

Summary

India’s 16-1 World Cup record stands as the defining statistic of this rivalry — a dominance that transcends formats and generations. Pakistan’s solitary T20 World Cup win in 2021 shows they can compete, but a bilateral series remains hostage to politics. For cricket fans in India and Pakistan, the only guaranteed meetings now come in ICC tournaments, where India holds the upper hand. The 2025 Asia Cup final and the 2026 T20 World Cup will offer the next chapters. For Indian viewers, the choice is clear: tune into SonyLIV’s free tier or Hotstar; for Pakistani fans, PTV Sports remains the reliable home broadcast.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the total number of Test matches between India and Pakistan?

India and Pakistan have played 59 Test matches. Pakistan leads 14-12 with 33 draws, according to compiled records from WPLegue.

Who holds the record for most sixes in India-Pakistan ODIs?

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) hit the most sixes in India-Pakistan ODIs, 13 in 15 matches, per Times of India statistical archives.

Has Pakistan ever won a World Cup match against India?

Pakistan has never won an ODI World Cup match against India (0-8). They have won one T20 World Cup match (in 2021) — Britannica data.

When was the last bilateral ODI series between India and Pakistan?

The last bilateral ODI series between the two teams was in 2012-13 when Pakistan visited India. Since then, all matches have been in multi-team tournaments — Times of India timeline.

What is the highest team score in an India-Pakistan ODI?

India’s 356/9 in the 2018 Asia Cup is the highest team total in an India-Pakistan ODI. Pakistan’s highest is 338/4 in 2005 — ICC match statistics.

The implication: These records give fans a quick reference for the most talked-about aspects of the rivalry.

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