After weeks of tension between the PCB and ICC, Pakistan has finally lifted its boycott and confirmed participation in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Despite not meeting all demands, Pakistan recognized that withdrawing would damage its campaign. This sets the stage for the blockbuster India vs Pakistan clash on February 15, 2026.
This rivalry is the most intense in cricket. Stadiums are packed, billions tune in, and fans expect fierce competition. India has been dominant in ICC tournaments, leading 7-1 in T20 World Cups and holding a perfect 8-0 in ODI World Cups.
Recent clashes have been iconic: Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 53 balls chasing 160 at the MCG in 2022, his two sixes off Haris Rauf now part of cricket folklore; India defending just 119 in New York in 2024; and the inaugural T20 World Cup final in 2007, where India defeated Pakistan to lift the trophy.
India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head in ICC Tournaments
ICC tournaments are now the only events where these two teams face each other, making every encounter a high-tension, packed-stadium spectacle.
India has dominated Pakistan in these marquee events. Pakistan’s only ICC World Cup win against India came in 2021, when Babar Azam (68*) and Rizwan (79*) chased 152 without losing a wicket in Dubai.
ICC T20 World Cup Head-to-Head
| Matches | India Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Most Memorable India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Moments
- 2007 Final: Misbah’s scoop off Joginder Sharma caught by Sreesanth. India win inaugural T20 World Cup by 5 runs.
- 2012: Kohli smashes an unbeaten 78 off 61 balls, India chase 129 in just 17 overs in Colombo.
- 2016: Kohli composed 55* to guide India past Pakistan’s 118 in a star-studded Kolkata clash.
- 2021: Shaheen Afridi’s 3/31 destroys India’s top order. Babar (68*) and Rizwan (79*) chase 152 without losing a wicket.
- 2022 (MCG): Kohli’s iconic 82* off 53 balls. India 31/4, then Kohli’s two sixes off Rauf seal a last-ball thriller.
- 2024 (New York): India defends just 119. Bumrah and Pandya strangle Pakistan, India win by 6 runs on a tricky pitch.
ICC ODI World Cup Head-to-Head
| Matches | India Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Most Memorable India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup Moments
- 1992 (MCG): A 19-year-old Sachin top-scored with 54 and took 1/37 to win MoM. India won by 43 runs, starting their WC dominance over Pakistan.
- 1996 (Bangalore): Jadeja’s explosive 45 off 25 balls destroyed Waqar. Prasad’s iconic dismissal of Aamer Sohail after a verbal duel. India won by 39 runs.
- 1999 (Manchester): Venkatesh Prasad and Javagal Srinath led a disciplined bowling effort as India cruised to a 47-run victory.
- 2003 (Centurion): Sachin’s breathtaking 98 vs Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar. The six over point off Akhtar remains one of cricket’s most iconic shots. India won by 6 wickets.
- 2011 (Mohali): Sachin’s 85 anchored India’s 260. Wahab Riaz took 5 wickets but Pakistan fell 29 runs short in a tense semi-final.
- 2015 (Adelaide): India’s bowlers dismantled Pakistan. Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan starred with the bat as India romped home by 76 runs.
- 2019 (Manchester): Rohit Sharma’s classy 140 powered India to 336. Pakistan never looked in the chase, losing by 89 runs (DLS).
- 2023 (Ahmedabad): Pakistan bowled out for 191 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Rohit led a clinical chase as India won by 7 wickets with nearly 20 overs to spare.
India vs Pakistan Overall Head-to-Head Across All Formats
| Format | Matches Played | India Wins | Pakistan Wins | Draw / No Result / Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| ODI | 136 | 58 | 73 | 5 |
| Test | 59 | 9 | 12 | 38 |
T20 Internationals
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw/Tied/NR | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 81.25% |
| Pakistan | 16 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 18.75% |
India has been dominant in T20Is against Pakistan, winning 13 of 16 matches for an impressive 81.25% win rate. Pakistan has managed just 3 wins in this format, with their most notable victory coming in the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. India’s T20I supremacy has been driven by match-winners like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw/Tied/NR | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 136 | 57 | 73 | 6 | 41.91% |
| Pakistan | 136 | 73 | 57 | 6 | 53.68% |
In the overall ODI head-to-head, Pakistan actually leads India with 73 wins to 57 across 136 matches, largely built during their dominance in the late 1980s and 1990s in Sharjah and bilateral series. However, the story flips completely in ICC World Cups, where India holds a perfect 8-0 record, showing they rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Test Matches
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw/Tied/NR | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 59 | 9 | 12 | 38 | 15.25% |
| Pakistan | 59 | 12 | 9 | 38 | 20.33% |
Test cricket between India and Pakistan has been the most evenly contested format, with draws dominating the rivalry (38 out of 59 matches). Pakistan holds a slight edge with 12 wins to India’s 9. However, the two nations haven’t played a bilateral Test series since 2007, with political tensions keeping them apart in the longest format.
More Head-to-Head:
Conclusion: India’s 8-0 Records in ODI World Cups and 7-1 dominance in T20 World Cups
India’s 8-0 Records in ODI World Cups and 7-1 dominance in T20 World Cups make them the undisputed kings of this rivalry on the biggest stage. As the two teams prepare to clash again on February 15, 2026, history favors India, but when these two teams meet, records go out the window. The drama is guaranteed.
