india vs pakistan

When it comes to cricket rivalries, none can rival the intensity of India vs Pakistan. This epic clash between the two Asian powerhouses has been etched in history since the 1980s and has only grown fiercer over the past four decades. The legacy of India vs Pakistan cricket is brimming with unforgettable moments that transcend time. From Javed Miandad's audacious last-ball six against Chetan Sharma to Irfan Pathan's scintillating hat-trick in Karachi, the nail-biting T20 World Cup bowl-out followed by a climactic final, these encounters have woven narratives of sheer drama and brilliance. Sachin Tendulkar's magnum opus at Centurion during the 2003 World Cup and the enthralling Chennai epic four years earlier, not to mention Shoaib Akhtar's thunderous arrival on Kolkata's stage in 1999, all contribute to the ever-lasting brilliance of this insane rivalry.

The India-Pakistan cricket saga has been a rollercoaster ride marked by twists and turns. The 1980s witnessed Pakistan's dominance over India, setting the stage for an enthralling era. The 1990s ushered in a more evenly-balanced contest, a pattern that extended into the 2000s. However, the tide turned post-2010, with India emerging as the dominant force. A string of victories over their arch-rivals showcased India's prowess, including triumphs in the 2014 T20 World Cup and the 2016 World T20. Yet, a poignant twist awaited as Pakistan broke a billion Indian hearts by clinching victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. The pendulum swung back in India's favour at the 2019 World Cup when they exacted sweet revenge with a commanding win over their adversaries.

Amidst the string of statistics and defining moments, one figure stands as a testament to India's supremacy - the 7-0 record. This signifies the number of ODI World Cup encounters India has triumphed in against Pakistan. Since the 1992 edition held in Australia, Pakistan have been thwarted time and again in their quest to overcome India's might in this pinnacle tournament. While a breakthrough was finally achieved in the T20 World Cup of 2021, the 50-over format remains India's domain. Victories in Sydney, Bengaluru, twice in Manchester, Centurion, Mohali, and Adelaide have firmly established India's dominance in World Cups.

In ODIs, the format in which the two teams are set to face on Saturday, Pakistan historically led the head-to-head records, although India dominated in the last decade. In the 14 matches played between the two sides from 2010 to 2020, India emerged victorious in 10. In total, they have faced each other 136 times in ODIs, with Pakistan winning 73 and India 55. In 17 bilateral ODI series until 2013, Pakistan secured 11 victories while India managed just five.

In T20I matches, India holds a commanding lead, winning nine out of 12 matches, including the inaugural T20 World Cup game in 2007, decided by a thrilling bowl-out. Of the 58 Test matches played between the two teams, a staggering 38 have ended in draws. Pakistan has won 11, and India has won nine, with the series head-to-head tied at 4-4 and seven drawn matches.

In ODIs between the two teams, Tendulkar stands as the highest run-scorer with 2526 runs in 67 innings, while former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq tops their list with 2403 runs in 64 innings. Wasim Akram, with 60 wickets, leads the bowlers in ODI matches for Pakistan, while Anil Kumble takes the tally for India with 54 wickets. In Test cricket, Miandad is the highest scorer overall with 2228 runs, and Sunil Gavaskar leads India with 2089 runs. Kapil Dev, with 29 wickets, is the highest wicket-taker, while Imran Khan takes the honour for Pakistan with 23 wickets.

In T20Is, Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer by a significant margin with 488 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan is Pakistan's top scorer with 197. The record for most wickets in T20 matches between the two teams is jointly held at 11 by India's Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, as well as Pakistan's Umar Gul.