The cricketing rivalry between Pakistan and India transcends sport, symbolizing decades of competition, passion, and unforgettable moments. As of February 2025, the two nations have clashed in 136 One Day Internationals (ODIs). Pakistan holds a narrow lead with 73 victories, while India has won 58 matches. Five encounters ended without a result.

Recent Encounter in Champion Trophy 2025: A Battle of Titans
The most recent showdown took place during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. India triumphed by six wickets, chasing Pakistan’s competitive 241-run target. Saud Shakeel’s resilient 62 and Mohammad Rizwan’s steady 46 anchored Pakistan's innings, but Kuldeep Yadav’s 3/40 restricted further progress. In reply, Virat Kohli's unbeaten century – his 51st in ODIs – alongside contributions from Shubman Gill (46) and Shreyas Iyer (56), sealed India’s victory and strengthened their tournament standing.

The Origins: First-Ever ODI Encounter
The inaugural ODI between India and Pakistan took place in Quetta on October 1, 1978. In this 40-over-per-side match, India, led by Bishen Singh Bedi, edged out Pakistan by four runs. India posted 170/7, and Pakistan fell short at 166/8. Mohinder Amarnath's half-century earned him the first-ever Player of the Match award in an India-Pakistan ODI.

Although India clinched the opener, Pakistan bounced back to win the second ODI in Sialkot by eight wickets. The decider in Sahiwal ended controversially, with India conceding the game in protest against Sarfraz Nawaz’s persistent short-pitched bowling, handing Pakistan a 2-1 series win.

Series Records: Pakistan's Dominance
To date, India and Pakistan have competed in 17 bilateral ODI series:
• Series Played in India: 6
• Series Played in Pakistan: 7
• Series at Neutral Venues: 4

Series Results:
• Pakistan’s Series Wins: 11
• India’s Series Wins: 5
• Tied Series: 1 (UAE, 2006)

Notable series results include:
• 1982/83 India in Pakistan: Pakistan won 3-1.
• 1983/84 Pakistan in India: The series was drawn.
• 2005/06 India in Pakistan: Pakistan won 4-2.

However, bilateral series have become rare since early 2013 due to political tensions.

India vs Pakistan in ICC ODI Events
In ICC ODI tournaments, the rivalry takes on an even greater intensity. Here's the head-to-head breakdown:

ICC ODI World Cup:
• Matches Played: 8
• India's Wins: 8
• Pakistan's Wins: 0

India’s flawless World Cup record includes iconic wins, such as the 2011 semi-final in Mohali under MS Dhoni's leadership.
ICC Champions Trophy:
• Matches Played: 5
• Pakistan's Wins: 3
• India's Wins: 2

Pakistan’s crowning moment came in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, where they thrashed India by 180 runs.

Overall ICC ODI Events:
• Total Matches: 13 (8 World Cup + 5 Champions Trophy)

• India's Wins: 10
• Pakistan's Wins: 3

While India dominates World Cup clashes, Pakistan enjoys more success in the Champions Trophy.

India vs. Pakistan in Asia Cup ODIs
India and Pakistan have faced each other 19 times in the Asia Cup ODI tournament:

• Total Matches: 19
• India's Wins: 10
• Pakistan's Wins: 9

Record-Setting Performances: Highest and Lowest Totals
The India-Pakistan rivalry has witnessed record-breaking feats:
• India's Highest Total: 356/2 (Colombo, Asia Cup 2023)
• Pakistan's Highest Total: 344/8 (Karachi, 2004)
• India's Lowest Total: 79 all out (Sialkot, 1978)
• Pakistan's Lowest Total: 87 all out (Sharjah, 1985)

Batting Legends: Leading Run-Scorers
The batting charts feature legendary names:
• Sachin Tendulkar (India): 2,526 runs in 67 innings
• Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan): 2,403 runs
• Saeed Anwar (Pakistan): 2,002 runs

Highest Individual Scores:
• Saeed Anwar (Pakistan): 194 (Chennai, 1997)
• Virat Kohli (India): 183 (Dhaka, 2012)

Bowling Greats: Most Wickets
On the bowling front, Pakistan’s pace dominance stands out:
• Wasim Akram (Pakistan): 60 wickets in 48 matches
• Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan): 57 wickets
• Anil Kumble (India): 54 wickets

Best Bowling Figures:
• Aaqib Javed (Pakistan): 7/37 (Sharjah, 1991)
Historic Captaincy Victories: Leaders Who Defined the Rivalry
Captaincy has often determined the outcome of key matches. Here are the most successful captains:

Pakistan Captains:
• Imran Khan: 13 matches, 7 wins, 6 losses. Led Pakistan to victory in the 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final, famous for Javed Miandad’s last-ball six.

• Wasim Akram: 10 matches, 6 wins, 4 losses. Known for aggressive leadership in the 1990s.

• Sarfaraz Ahmed: 4 matches, 3 wins, 1 loss. Guided Pakistan to their historic 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final win.

• Misbah-ul-Haq: 6 matches, 3 wins, 3 losses. Renowned for his calm leadership during the early 2010s.

India Captains:
• MS Dhoni: 14 matches, 8 wins, 5 losses. Steered India to victory in the 2011 World Cup semi-final.

• Mohammad Azharuddin: 15 matches, 7 wins, 8 losses. Led India during intense 1990s encounters.

• Virat Kohli: 5 matches, 4 wins, 1 loss. Commanded India’s 2019 World Cup group stage triumph.

• Rahul Dravid: 5 matches, 3 wins, 2 losses. Led India to a memorable chase of 349 runs in Karachi (2004).

Key Captaincy Performances:
1. 1986 Austral-Asia Cup Final (Sharjah): Imran Khan’s leadership inspired Pakistan’s last-ball win.

2. 2004 Karachi ODI: Dravid’s India chased down 349 runs, one of cricket’s greatest chases.

3. 2011 World Cup Semi-Final (Mohali): Dhoni’s India secured a 29-run victory, advancing to the final.

4. 2017 ICC Champions Trophy Final (The Oval): Sarfaraz Ahmed led Pakistan to a resounding 180-run win.

5. 2019 World Cup (Manchester): Kohli guided India to an 89-run victory via the DLS method.

Summary of Captaincy Records:
• Most Wins (Pakistan): Imran Khan (7), Wasim Akram (6)
• Most Wins (India): MS Dhoni (8)
• Most Matches (Pakistan): Imran Khan (13)
• Most Matches (India): Mohammad Azharuddin (15)

Beyond the Numbers: A Legacy of Passion
The Pakistan vs. India ODI rivalry transcends statistics, defined by unforgettable moments Javed Miandad’s last-ball six (1986), Kohli’s Dhaka masterclass (2012), and Pakistan’s Champions Trophy triumph (2017). Every match ignites passions, with victory symbolizing resilience and defeat fueling hope for redemption.

As this iconic rivalry continues to unfold, one thing remains certain – whenever Pakistan and India meet on the cricket field, the world watches, hearts race, and history is made once more.