The England-Pakistan cricket rivalry represents one of the most storied and intense contests in international cricket, characterized by dramatic moments, controversies, and exceptional performances across all formats.
These two cricketing nations have produced numerous classic encounters since their first Test match in 1954.
The latest chapter in this rivalry occurred during Pakistan’s May 2024 T20I tour of England and England’s October 2024 Test tour of Pakistan. Pakistan won a comeback series by taking the last two Tests after losing the opener by an inning.
This article examines the head-to-head records between England and Pakistan across all formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is—highlighting key statistics and memorable performances.
England vs Pakistan Head To Head (1954 – 2025)
The cricket rivalry between England and Pakistan stretches back to 1954, when the two nations first faced each other in a Test match.
Since then, they’ve competed across all three formats of international cricket, producing numerous classic encounters and unforgettable moments.
Here’s a look at the overall head-to-head record between England and Pakistan across formats:
| Format | Matches | England Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR/Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 92 | 30 | 23 | 39 |
| ODI | 92 | 57 | 32 | 3 |
| T20I | 31 | 21 | 9 | 1 |
| Total | 215 | 108 | 64 | 43 |
England holds a significant edge overall, particularly in limited-overs cricket. However, in Test cricket, the margin is narrower with a high number of drawn matches, reflecting the competitive nature of their encounters.
England vs Pakistan in Test Cricket
Test cricket is where the England-Pakistan rivalry has produced some of its most memorable moments, from Pakistan’s early triumphs in England to controversies surrounding ball-tampering allegations and more recent dramatic series.
Here’s a breakdown of their Test head-to-head record:
| Matches | England Won | Pakistan Won | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 30 | 23 | 39 |
While England has a slight advantage in Test matches, the high number of drawn Tests (39) indicates how evenly matched these teams have often been.
England vs Pakistan Test Records
Some key Test records in England-Pakistan matches:
Highest Team Total:
- England: 823/7 declared (Multan, 2024)
- Pakistan: 708 (The Oval, 1987)
Lowest Team Total:
- England: 72 (Abu Dhabi, 2012)
- Pakistan: 72 (Birmingham, 2010)
Most Runs:
- England: Alastair Cook (21719 runs)
- Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (1,584 runs)
Highest Individual Score:
- England: Harry Brook (317, Multan 2024)
- Pakistan: Zaheer Abbas (274, Birmingham 1971)
Most Wickets:
- England: James Anderson (82 wickets)
- Pakistan: Abdul Qadir (82 wickets)
Best Bowling Figures:
- England: Ian Botham (8/34, Lord’s 1978)
- Pakistan: Abdul Qadir (9/56, Lahore 1987)
England vs Pakistan In ODI Cricket
One-day cricket has seen England establish clear dominance over Pakistan in recent years, though Pakistan has had periods of success, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Here’s how the two teams stack up in ODIs:
| Matches | England Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 57 | 32 | 3 |
England holds a commanding lead in ODIs, winning nearly twice as many matches as Pakistan.
England vs Pakistan ODI Records
Some notable ODI records from England-Pakistan clashes:
Highest Team Total:
- England: 444/3 (Nottingham, 2016)
- Pakistan: 361/7 (Southampton, 2019)
Lowest Team Total:
- England: 122 (Lahore, 1978)
- Pakistan: 74 (Adelaide, 1992)
Most Runs:
- England: Joe Root (835 runs)
- Pakistan: Javed Miandad (991 runs)
Highest Individual Score:
- England: Alex Hales (171, Nottingham 2016)
- Pakistan: Babar Azam (158, Birmingham 2021)
Most Wickets:
- England: Chris Woakes (31 wickets)
- Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar (34 wickets)
Best Bowling Figures:
- England: Chris Woakes (5/54, Leeds 2019)
- Pakistan: Waqar Younis (7/36, Leeds 2001)
England vs Pakistan In T20Is
T20 cricket has been the format where England has established their most significant advantage over Pakistan, though the encounters have often been closely contested.
Here’s how they match up in the shortest format:
| Matches | England Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 21 | 9 | 1 |
England has a clear advantage in T20I encounters, winning more than twice as many matches as Pakistan.
England vs Pakistan T20I Records
Key T20I records from England-Pakistan matches:
Highest Team Total:
- England: 221/3 (Karachi, 2022)
- Pakistan: 232/6 (Nottingham, 2021)
Lowest Team Total:
- England: 129/6 (Abu Dhabi, 2012)
- Pakistan: 89 (Cardiff, 2010)
Most Runs:
- England: Eoin Morgan (427 runs)
- Pakistan: Babar Azam (660 runs)
Highest Individual Score:
- England: Liam Livingstone (103, Nottingham 2021)
- Pakistan: Babar Azam (110*, Karachi 2022)
Most Wickets:
- England: Adil Rashid (22 wickets)
- Pakistan: Haris Rauf (21 wickets)
Best Bowling Figures:
- England: Adil Rashid (4/35, Manchester 2021)
- Pakistan: Saeed Ajmal (4/23, Abu Dhabi 2012)
England vs Pakistan In ICC matches
The rivalry has produced some memorable moments in ICC tournaments, with England generally having the upper hand in recent World Cup encounters, while Pakistan has had success in Champions Trophy competitions.
| Tournament | Matches | England Won | Pakistan Won | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| T20 World Cup | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Champions Trophy | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
England’s dominance in World Cup matches is evident, though Pakistan’s famous victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy final remains one of the most celebrated achievements in Pakistani cricket history.
England vs Pakistan – Recent Series Results
The Test series history between England and Pakistan has been competitive, with both teams enjoying periods of dominance. In recent years, Pakistan has performed well in the UAE (their adopted home), while England has generally maintained an advantage in home conditions.
In the 2022 series in Pakistan, England secured a historic 3-0 whitewash, showcasing their aggressive “Bazball” approach under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
However, Pakistan exacted revenge in October 2024, staging a remarkable comeback to win the series 2-1 after losing the first Test by an innings.
In the ODIs, England has dominated recent bilateral series, winning the last six. Their white-ball revolution under Eoin Morgan transformed them into a formidable limited-overs team, a status they’ve maintained in encounters with Pakistan.
The May 2024 T20I series in England saw the hosts continue their dominance in the shortest format, winning the series 2-0, with two matches abandoned due to rain.
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Conclusion: England Holds The Edge vs Pakistan In All Cricket Formats
The England-Pakistan cricket rivalry continues to be one of the most fascinating in the sport. While England holds a clear advantage in the overall head-to-head record, particularly in limited-overs cricket, Test matches between these nations have frequently been close affairs with numerous draws.
England’s recent dominance in white-ball cricket has been challenged by Pakistan’s unpredictability and ability to produce match-winners from seemingly nowhere.
Whether in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, an England vs Pakistan cricket match always promises excitement, skill, and the perfect contrast of cricketing philosophies.
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