Pakistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline
The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team rivalry is one of the most fascinating rivalries in the history of international cricket. Since their first Test series in 1954, both nations have shared moments of glory, heartbreak, controversies, and unforgettable cricketing brilliance. From Pakistan’s first-ever win at The Oval to the iconic 1992 World Cup Final, and from England’s resurgence in modern white-ball cricket to the thrilling 2022 T20 World Cup Final, this rivalry has provided fans with some of cricket’s greatest memories.
In this detailed article, we will walk through the timeline of Pakistan vs England, including:
- Early encounters and historic milestones
- World Cup battles
- Memorable controversies and turning points
- Year-wise series results
- Complete head-to-head records (Tests, ODIs, T20Is)
- Upcoming fixtures and expectations
Early Encounters (1950s–1960s)
- Pakistan’s first tour of England came in 1954, where they shocked the cricketing world by winning at The Oval under the leadership of Abdul Hafeez Kardar.
- Fazal Mahmood’s swing bowling was the highlight, taking 12 wickets in the match.
- During the 1960s, Pakistan established themselves as a competitive force, though England still dominated most series.
The 1970s – Rising Competitiveness
- The 1970s saw Pakistan strengthen their batting with stars like Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan.
- Series in England were tough, but Pakistan became very difficult to beat at home.
- The seeds of an equal rivalry were sown during this decade.
The 1980s – Pakistan’s Golden Era Against England
- Led by Imran Khan, Pakistan’s pace battery (Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis) created havoc against England’s batting line-up.
- Pakistan won their first-ever Test series in England in 1987, a historic achievement.
- Javed Miandad and Saleem Malik played several match-winning knocks.
- This was the decade when Pakistan became one of the strongest teams against England.
1992 World Cup Final – Pakistan’s Greatest Triumph
- The most memorable clash in the Pakistan vs England timeline came at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1992.
- Pakistan, under Imran Khan, defeated England to win their maiden World Cup.
- Wasim Akram’s two magical deliveries in the final remain iconic moments in cricket history.
- This match forever etched Pakistan vs England as a classic World Cup rivalry.
2000s – Mixed Results and Controversies
- Pakistan had batting giants like Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf, who performed well against England.
- However, the 2006 Oval Test controversy (ball-tampering charges) saw Pakistan forfeit a Test, creating massive headlines.
- England started building a solid Test side with players like Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, and Alastair Cook.
2010 – The Dark Chapter (Spot-Fixing Scandal)
- During the 2010 Lord’s Test, Pakistani players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir were found guilty of spot-fixing.
- This scandal shocked world cricket and remains one of the most controversial chapters in Pakistan vs England history.
Modern Era (2015–2025)
- Pakistan, under Misbah-ul-Haq, registered a famous win at Lord’s in 2016, with Misbah celebrating with push-ups.
- England won the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup (though not against Pakistan in the final, it strengthened their white-ball dominance).
- In 2022, England toured Pakistan after 17 years, winning the T20I series 4-3.
- At the 2022 T20 World Cup Final, England defeated Pakistan at the MCG—the same ground where Pakistan had beaten them in 1992.
Head-to-Head Records (As of 2025)
| Format | Matches | Pakistan Wins | England Wins | Draw/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 88 | 21 | 28 | 39 |
| ODIs | 91 | 32 | 56 | 3 |
| T20Is | 30 | 9 | 19 | 2 |
(Stats approximate till 2025)
Year-Wise Pakistan vs England Series Results
| Year | Venue | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | England | Test | Drawn 1-1 |
| 1967 | England | Test | England won 2-0 |
| 1971–72 | Pakistan | Test | Drawn 1-0 (Pakistan win) |
| 1987 | England | Test | Pakistan won 1-0 |
| 1992 | Australia (World Cup) | ODI Final | Pakistan won |
| 1996 | Pakistan | Test | Drawn 0-0 |
| 2001 | England | Test | England won 1-0 |
| 2006 | England | Test | Controversial (Oval forfeiture) |
| 2010 | England | Test | England won 3-1 (spot-fixing scandal) |
| 2016 | England | Test | Series drawn 2-2 |
| 2020 | England | Test | England won 1-0 |
| 2022 | Pakistan | T20I Series | England won 4-3 |
| 2022 | Australia (World Cup Final) | T20I | England won |
Upcoming Fixtures (2025 and Beyond)
The Future Tours Programme (FTP) confirms that:
- Pakistan is scheduled to tour England in 2026 for a Test and ODI series.
- England will tour Pakistan again in 2027 for a full-format series including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
- These upcoming clashes are expected to continue the fierce rivalry, especially with stars like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi facing off against Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
Legendary Players Who Defined the Rivalry
Pakistan:
- Fazal Mahmood
- Imran Khan
- Javed Miandad
- Wasim Akram & Waqar Younis
- Babar Azam
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
England:
- Ian Botham
- Graham Gooch
- Kevin Pietersen
- Joe Root
- Ben Stokes
- Jos Buttler
Conclusion
The Pakistan vs England cricket rivalry has traveled a long way—from Fazal Mahmood’s brilliance in 1954 to Imran Khan’s World Cup victory in 1992, from controversies like the Oval Test to modern-day World Cup battles. Both nations have written chapters of glory and drama that fans will never forget.
With future series lined up, this rivalry promises even more electrifying cricket, young stars rising to fame, and classic battles that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
