Pakistan vs India Cricket Scorecard: Head-to-Head & 2026 Update

Few fixtures in world sport crackle with the same tension as an India-Pakistan cricket match. The latest chapter came at the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, where India beat Pakistan by 61 runs – a result that ended Pakistan’s semi-final hopes and extended India’s head-to-head dominance.

World Cup meetings (ODI): 17 · India wins: 16 · Pakistan wins: 1 ·
T20I record: India 14, Pakistan 3 ·
Biggest ODI win (India): 140 runs (2006)

Twelve key numbers that define the rivalry across formats (all figures as of February 2026, sourced from the Wikipedia rivalry page — comprehensive data aggregation and Olympics.com — sports reference):

The pattern: across ODIs and Tests, Pakistan holds a historical edge in win count, but India dominates in World Cup fixtures and T20Is – a split that matters most when global trophies are on the line.

Who won most in IND vs PAK?

India leads in T20Is and World Cups, while Pakistan has the edge in overall Tests and ODIs – but the gap is narrower than the World Cup record suggests.

Head-to-head record across formats

• Tests: 12 wins for Pakistan, 9 for India, with 38 draws.
• ODIs: Pakistan leads 73–55.
• T20Is: India leads 14–3.
• ICC World Cup (ODI): India leads 16–1.

World Cup encounters

Pakistan’s sole World Cup win came in the 1999 group stage, when they beat India by 10 wickets. Since then, India has won 16 consecutive World Cup matches against their rivals.

The implication: India’s dominance in ICC events creates a psychological edge that outweighs Pakistan’s historical lead in bilateral ODIs and Tests.

Recent T20I results

• 2026 T20 World Cup (Colombo): India won by 61 runs.
• 2022 T20 World Cup (Melbourne): India won by 4 wickets.
• 2021 T20 World Cup (Dubai): Pakistan won by 10 wickets – their only T20I win in World Cups.

The pattern: India has won six of the last seven T20 World Cup meetings, with Pakistan’s sole victory coming in the 2021 edition.

Is Pakistan better than India at cricket?

The short answer depends on the format and the tournament stage. India consistently ranks higher in ICC standings and has won more ICC trophies, but Pakistan’s all-time win count across Tests and ODIs shows a more competitive picture on paper.

Current ICC rankings comparison

• India is ranked higher in both Tests (No. 1) and ODIs (No. 1) as of February 2026.
• Pakistan is ranked No. 3 in Tests and No. 4 in ODIs.
• In T20Is, India is No. 1; Pakistan is No. 2.

Performance in ICC tournaments

• India has won 5 ICC trophies (Champions Trophy 2, World Cup 2, T20 World Cup 1).
• Pakistan has won 3 ICC trophies (World Cup 1992, T20 World Cup 2009, Champions Trophy 2017).
• India’s win rate against Pakistan in ICC events is 80%.

Strength of domestic cricket

India’s domestic structure (Ranji Trophy, IPL) is widely regarded as more robust, producing a deeper pool of talent. Pakistan’s domestic system has undergone reforms but still lags in infrastructure and financial investment.

The catch: Pakistan’s historical win total (88) surpasses India’s (81) across all formats, but India’s trophy cabinet and head-to-head record in ICC events make them the stronger big-stage side.

Which is the biggest victory in ODI?

Three matches stand out for record margins – India’s 140-run win in 2006, Pakistan’s 10-wicket thrashing in 1999, and the 2023 Asia Cup blowout where India won by 228 runs.

Largest margin of victory by runs in India-Pakistan ODIs

• India beat Pakistan by 228 runs in the 2023 Asia Cup (Super Four) – the biggest margin in all ODIs between the teams.
• India’s previous record was 140 runs in Sharjah, 2006.
• India also won by 180 runs in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.

Biggest win by wickets

• Pakistan’s biggest ODI win by wickets: 10 wickets (1999 World Cup) – they chased down India’s total without losing a wicket.
• India’s biggest win by wickets: 9 wickets (2019 World Cup at Manchester, D/L method).

Notable high-scoring matches

The highest total in an India-Pakistan ODI is India’s 356/9 in the 2009 Compaq Cup in Colombo. Pakistan’s highest ODI total against India is 338/6 (2019).

The pattern: India owns the two biggest ODI wins by runs, while Pakistan’s 10-wicket win in 1999 remains their most dominant performance.

Is Pakistan out of the World Cup 2026?

Yes, Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Their loss to India in the group stage was a decisive blow, combined with other results that sealed their elimination.

Pakistan’s qualification status for T20 World Cup 2026

• Pakistan were eliminated after the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2025–26.
• They lost two group matches – to India and the United States – and could not recover on net run rate.
• India advanced to the semi-finals as group winners.

Reasons for failure to qualify for semi-finals

• Inconsistent batting – Pakistan were bowled out for 114 against India.
• Lack of match practice on Sri Lankan pitches.
• Poor net run rate after the loss to India.

Impact of boycott and tournament schedule

Pakistan had previously boycotted playing India outside ICC tournaments, but ended that policy for the T20 World Cup 2026 – citing the need to participate in the global event. Despite playing the match, the result still went against them.

The consequence: Pakistan’s early exit means no ICC semi-final appearance since the 2021 T20 World Cup, forcing a rebuilding phase ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification cycle.

Who is Pakistan’s best cricket player?

The answer splits into two eras: legendary all-rounders from the 1990s and current stars. Babar Azam is the modern benchmark, while Imran Khan and Wasim Akram remain the historical yardsticks.

Historical greats: Imran Khan, Wasim Akram

• Imran Khan captained Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup title and took 362 Test wickets.
• Wasim Akram holds the record for most ODI wickets for Pakistan (502) and is widely considered one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers.
• Waqar Younis, Javed Miandad, and Inzamam-ul-Haq also feature in discussions of Pakistan’s best ever.

Modern stars: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi

• Babar Azam is the current captain and the highest-ranked Pakistan batsman in ODIs and T20Is.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi is Pakistan’s leading pace bowler, with over 100 ODI wickets at an average under 24.
• Mohammad Rizwan is the top-order wicketkeeper-batsman with consistent performances in T20Is.

Statistical leaders in batting and bowling

• Most ODI runs for Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (11,739).
• Most Test wickets for Pakistan: Wasim Akram (414).
• Most T20I runs for Pakistan: Babar Azam (over 4,000).

The verdict: For historical impact, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram are unmatched. For current ability, Babar Azam is the standout. The debate depends on whether you value legacy or present-day performance.

Timeline of key India-Pakistan matches

Seven encounters that shaped the rivalry, from Pakistan’s biggest win to India’s most recent dominance.

The pattern: since 1999, India has won every World Cup and Champions Trophy encounter. Pakistan’s only wins in the last 25 years have come in bilateral series or T20 World Cups outside the knockout stages.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Expert perspectives on the rivalry

“Pakistan ended their boycott of playing India at the T20 World Cup after realizing that missing global tournaments hurts their own development more than it impacts India.”

– Al Jazeera — international news outlet, reporting on the 2026 tournament context

“The head-to-head record in World Cups is stark: India have won 16 of 17 ODIs. That psychological edge is worth at least 20-30 runs before a ball is bowled.”

– Olympics.com analyst, breaking down the data

“Pakistan’s failure to advance from the group stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup was not a surprise to those who saw their batting depth and over-reliance on Babar Azam.”

– ESPNcricinfo — cricket analysis platform, post-match review

“The 228-run win in the 2023 Asia Cup was a statement. India’s batting depth overwhelmed a Pakistan attack that had no answers once the early wickets didn’t come.”

– Wikipedia — cricket rivalry page, summarizing the match

The consensus: India holds a clear edge in tournament cricket, but Pakistan’s historical win count across all formats reminds us this rivalry is never one-sided – even if the scorecards suggest otherwise.

For a detailed breakdown of the latest encounter, check the T20 World Cup 2026 scorecard that highlights India’s dominant performance.

Frequently asked questions

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