COLOMBO (Kashmir English): The India-Pakistan rivalry in Cricket, especially the World Cups is defined by high-voltage drama, individual performances, and a long-standing dominance by India.
Historically, India holds a 7–0 lead in ODI World Cups and a 7–1 lead in T20 World Cup matches as of February 2026.
Most interesting moments in India-Pakistan Cricket
Miandad’s last-ball six
In the Austral-Asia Cup final in Sharjah in 1986, Pakistan needed four runs off the last ball. Javed Miandad hit a six off Chetan Sharma, securing a historic and unbelievable victory that haunted Indian cricket for decades.
Prasad-Sohail showdown
During the 1996 World Cup quarter-final, Pakistan’s Aamer Sohail pointed to the boundary after hitting Venkatesh Prasad for four.
On the very next ball, Prasad clean-bowled Sohail and gave him a fiery send-off, shifting the momentum in India’s favour.
2007 T20 final
In the inaugural T20 World Cup final in 2007, India defeated Pakistan by just five runs. The match ended when Misbah-ul-Haq attempted a scoop shot that was caught by S. Sreesanth, a moment that launched the global T20 revolution.
Kumble’s Perfect 10
Anil Kumble became only the second bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in a single innings in (1999), also defeating Pakistan in Delhi by 212 runs.
Tendulkar’s centurion assault
Chasing 273 in the World Cup 2003, Sachin Tendulkar played a blistering 98-run knock off 75 balls, famously hitting an upper-cut six against Shoaib Akhtar that remains etched in fans’ memories.
Recent Highlights (2022–2026)
Kohli’s MCG masterclass (2022)
Chasing 160 at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground, Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 82*. His back-to-back sixes against Haris Rauf in the 19th over turned an “impossible” game into a victory for India.
India’s Asia Cup domination
India won all three encounters against Pakistan during the 2025 Asia Cup, including the first-ever final between the two in this tournament, which India won by 5 wickets.
Feb 15 India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash
After a brief boycott standoff, the Pakistan government finally rescinded its order, ensuring the “blockbuster” Group A clash in Colombo on February 15, 2026.
Head-to-Head Record
Format Total Pak Wins India Wins Tie/NR
Test 59 12 9 38
ODI 136 73 58 5
T20I 16 3 13 0
Total 211 88 80 43
Head-to-Head ICC World Cups Record
Tournament India Wins Pakistan Wins Total Matches
ODI World Cup 8 0 8
T20 World Cup 7 1 8
Total 15 1 16
The next scheduled meeting is February 15, 2026, in Colombo.
