Greatest India vs Pakistan Matches Ever

India vs Pakistan is the most passionate rivalry in cricket. It brings together not just two teams, but two nations, their emotions, and decades of competitive history. From World Cups to Asia Cup battles, their matches have created unforgettable moments.

Fans from both nations, and around the world, pause everything when these two giants face off. From World Cups to nerve-wracking finals, here are the greatest India vs Pakistan matches ever played — up until 2025.

1. India vs Pakistan – 2007 T20 World Cup Final (Johannesburg)

Date: September 24, 2007
Event: ICC T20 World Cup Final
Outcome: India clinched a thrilling victory by just 5 runs.

This match is remembered as the start of India’s T20 dominance and the start of MS Dhoni’s legacy. India batted first and scored 157/5 with Gautam Gambhir’s solid 75. In response, Pakistan looked dangerous thanks to Misbah-ul-Haq’s late heroics.

With just 13 runs needed off the last over and only one wicket left, Dhoni handed the ball to rookie Joginder Sharma. Misbah went for a exclusive shot under pressure, but misjudged it straight into the hands of Sreesanth at short fine leg. First time India became the T20 world champions. This match gave us drama, tension, and a historic finish.

2. India vs Pakistan – 2003 World Cup (Centurion)

Date: March 1, 2003
Event: ICC ODI World Cup
Outcome: India secured the win with six wickets in hand.

This match is remembered for one man: Sachin Tendulkar. Chasing 274 set by Pakistan, Sachin smashed 98 runs in just 75 balls. His upper-cut six off Shoaib Akhtar is iconic.

Though India lost a few wickets in the middle, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh calmly finished the chase. It was a complete team performance, but Sachin’s innings made it one of the most talked-about games in India-Pakistan cricket history.

3. India vs Pakistan – 2022 T20 World Cup (Melbourne)

Date: October 23, 2022
Event: ICC T20 World Cup
Outcome: India secured the win with four wickets in hand.

In front of 90,000+ fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, this match became an instant classic.

Pakistan set a target of 159 with eight wickets down. India’s chase began disastrously, slumping to 31 for 4. But then Virat Kohli stepped in, delivering a masterclass under pressure. His unbeaten 82 from 53 balls, highlighted by two stunning sixes off Haris Rauf in the 19th over, turned the game into a modern-day epic. With 1 run needed off the final ball, R Ashwin calmly lofted the ball over mid-off. The stadium erupted. Kohli called it his best-ever innings. Fans called it a Diwali gift they’d never forget.

4. India vs Pakistan – 2011 World Cup Semi-Final (Mohali)

Date: March 30, 2011
Event: ICC ODI World Cup Semi-Final
Outcome: India emerged victorious with a 29 runs win

With Prime Ministers from both countries in the stands, this match had political and sporting pressure.

Batting first, India made 260/9 with Sachin Tendulkar top-scoring with 85. He was dropped four times — a lucky but crucial knock. Pakistan’s chase never found rhythm. They fell short despite Misbah’s late efforts.

India entered the final and later won the World Cup. The Mohali clash was not just a match; it was a moment of high national importance.

5. India vs Pakistan – 1996 World Cup Quarter-Final (Bangalore)

Date: March 9, 1996
Event: ICC ODI World Cup Quarter-Final
Outcome: India emerged victorious with a 39 runs win

This was another tense World Cup encounter. Navjot Sidhu set the tone, and Ajay Jadeja’s fireworks at the end (45 off 25 balls) took India to 287/8.

In response, Aamir Sohail tried to dominate India’s bowlers but was clean bowled by Venkatesh Prasad right after mocking him. The incident fired up India, and they went on to win.

The crowd was electric. The atmosphere was explosive. This game had passion, pressure, and pride at high.

6. India vs Pakistan – 2017 Champions Trophy Final (The Oval)

Date: June 18, 2017
Event: ICC Champions Trophy Final
Outcome: Pakistan clinched a thrilling victory by 180 runs.

In a surprising twist, Pakistan demolished India in the final. Batting first, Fakhar Zaman scored a sensational 114. Pakistan posted 338/4.

India, known for strong chases, collapsed under pressure. Mohammad Amir’s opening spell was lethal — removing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan.

India was bowled out for just 158. It was Pakistan’s day, and they lifted the Champions Trophy for the first time. It was also the heaviest defeat India suffered in an ICC final.

7. India vs Pakistan – 2023 Asia Cup Super Four (Colombo)

Date: September 10–11, 2023
Event: Asia Cup Super Four
Outcome: India registered a commanding victory by a margin of 228 runs.

Rain interrupted Day 1, so the game continued into a reserve day. India scored a massive 356/2, with Virat Kohli (122) and KL Rahul (111) putting on an unbeaten 233-run partnership.

Kuldeep Yadav took 5 wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for just 128. The margin of 228 runs was India’s biggest win against Pakistan in ODIs.

It was a dominating performance and a sweet reply after the heartbreak of 2017’s Champions Trophy.

8. India vs Pakistan – 2004 Karachi ODI

Date: March 13, 2004
Event: India Tour of Pakistan
Outcome: India clinched a thrilling victory by just 5 runs

India posted 349/7 thanks to Sehwag and Dravid. Inzamam’s century kept Pakistan in the chase, but India held their nerve to win by 5 runs. It was a thriller that reintroduced cricket between them after years of tension. The mutual respect and the crowd’s appreciation for both teams made it special.

9. India vs Pakistan – 1986 Austral-Asia Cup Final (Sharjah)

Date: April 18, 1986
Event: Austral-Asia Cup Final
Outcome: Pakistan clinched a nail-biting win with just one wicket to spare.

With 4 needed off the last ball, Javed Miandad hit Chetan Sharma for a six — the most dramatic finish in the history of ODI. India dominated most of the game but failed to close it out. Miandad’s leap of victory is one of cricket’s most iconic moments, and this match remains legendary in the rivalry.

10. India vs Pakistan – 1999 Chennai Test Match

Date: January 28–31, 1999
Event: 1st Test, India vs Pakistan
Outcome: Pakistan clinched a thrilling victory by just 12 runs

One of the finest Tests ever. India was chasing 271 when Sachin scored a heroic 136, fighting back pain. But his dismissal led to a collapse, and India fell short by 12 runs. The crowd in Chennai rose to applaud the Pakistani team, a powerful reminder that cricket can bring people together, even in moments of loss.

11. India vs Pakistan – 2021 T20 World Cup (Dubai)

Date: October 24, 2021
Event: ICC T20 World Cup
Outcome: Pakistan enjoyed victory by 10 wickets

After years of World Cup losses, Pakistan finally beat India. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan chased 152 with no wicket loss. Shaheen Afridi’s spell dismantled India’s top order. It was a history-making win and started a new chapter for Pakistan’s confidence on the big stage.

12. India vs Pakistan – 2010 Asia Cup (Dambulla)

Date: June 19, 2010
Event: Asia Cup
Outcome: India won by 3 wickets

In a tense chase, India needed a last-over effort from Harbhajan Singh, who hit Mohammad Amir for a six to seal the game. Gautam Gambhir’s 83 was vital. The aggression, celebrations, and pressure made this a game to remember.

13. India vs Pakistan – 2005 Ahmedabad ODI

Date: April 12, 2005
Event: ODI Series
Outcome: Pakistan won by 3 wickets

India scored 315, with MS Dhoni smashing his maiden century (148). Inzamam-ul-Haq led Pakistan’s successful chase with 123. The see-saw nature of the game and strong performances on both sides made this one of the best ODIs between them.

14. India vs Pakistan – 1985 WCC Final (Melbourne)

Date: March 10, 1985
Event: World Championship of Cricket Final
Outcome: India won by 8 wickets

Pakistan managed just 176, and India chased it easily. Ravi Shastri, the “Champion of Champions,” led the charge. While not high on drama, it was a defining win in Indian cricket’s golden run of the 1980s.

15. India vs Pakistan – 2022 Asia Cup (Dubai)

Date: August 28, 2022
Event: Asia Cup
Outcome: India won by 5 wickets

Pakistan made 147, and India were in trouble early. But Hardik Pandya’s all-round brilliance — 3 wickets and a match-winning 33 — sealed it. He hit a six in the final over to finish the game, showing how impactful he had become in India-Pakistan clashes.

16. India vs Pakistan – 2025 Champions Trophy Group Match (Dubai)

Date: February 23, 2025
Event: ICC Champions Trophy
Outcome: India won by 6 wickets

India’s most recent triumph came in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan scored 241, but Virat Kohli, once again the hero, made a stunning unbeaten 100 off 112 balls, leading India to a win in 42.3 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took three key wickets. This win extended India’s dominance in ICC events against Pakistan and reminded fans why Kohli is called the “Chase Master.”

Final Thoughts: Why These Matches Matter

India vs Pakistan is more than just runs and wickets — it’s about national pride, unforgettable performances, and emotional rollercoasters. From Sachin to Kohli, from Wasim to Babar — legends are born in these contests.

Even when the political situations stop bilateral series, the passion of fans never dies. Every ICC or Asia Cup meeting turns into a global event. Each win or loss stays in the hearts of millions.

As of 2025, these matches remain the biggest highlights of cricket’s fiercest rivalry. And with every new clash, the legend of India vs Pakistan continues to grow.