The cricket rivalry between Pakistan and England is filled with history and excitement. Both teams have competed in various formats, including ODIs and T20s. England currently leads in their head-to-head record during ICC events, winning more matches. This competition emphasizes the talent and resolve of each side, making every match significant. Analyzing their encounters offers valuable insights into their cricketing journeys and the development of this intense rivalry.
1979 Prudential World Cup – England won by 14 runs
The 1979 Prudential World Cup match between England and Pakistan was intense. England clinched victory by just 14 runs in Leeds. Mike Hendricks played a crucial role with his impressive bowling figures of 4/3 in eight balls.
After losing early wickets, England struggled at 118/8. A vital partnership formed between Bob Taylor and Bob Willis. Their combined efforts helped push England’s score to 165/9, setting a competitive target.
Pakistan started their innings cautiously but quickly fell into trouble. They slipped from 27 without loss to 34/6 due to Hendricks’ effective bowling. Despite Asif Iqbal and Wasim Raja’s resistance, England’s bowlers dominated the game.
Geoffrey Boycott made significant contributions with both bat and ball. He took 2/14 in the final overs, securing the win. This match influenced England’s strategy to rely on four main bowlers for future games.
1983 Prudential World Cup – England won by eight wickets
In the 1983 Prudential World Cup, England faced Pakistan in a decisive match. Pakistan managed to score 193 runs for eight wickets in their allotted overs. Zaheer Abbas played a crucial role, remaining unbeaten on 83 runs, but the rest of the team struggled.
England chased down the target comfortably, winning by eight wickets. Graeme Fowler anchored the innings with a steady 78 not out. Contributions from David Gower and Allan Lamb helped secure victory with 56 balls to spare.
1983 Prudential World Cup – England won by seven wickets
In their second encounter during the 1983 Prudential World Cup, Pakistan improved with a score of 232/8. Javed Miandad contributed a solid 67, while Ijaz Faqih added an unbeaten 42. However, England’s batting proved too strong, with Graeme Fowler scoring 69 and Chris Tavare contributing 58, leading to a seven-wicket victory.
1987 Reliance World Cup – Pakistan won by 18 runs
In the 1987 Reliance World Cup, Pakistan faced England in Rawalpindi. Pakistan set a competitive target of 239 runs, bolstered by fifties from Saleem Malik and Ijaz Ahmed. England started strong but suffered a dramatic collapse, falling from 186/4 to 221 all out.
Abdul Qadir played a pivotal role with his four wickets. He dismissed crucial batsmen, including Lamb and Emburey, in the 47th over. Pakistan secured victory by 18 runs, marking a significant moment in the tournament.
1987 Reliance World Cup – Pakistan won by seven wickets
In the 1987 Reliance World Cup, Pakistan faced England again in Karachi. Chasing a target of 245, Rameez Raja’s brilliant 113 led the innings. Saleem Malik also contributed with an impressive 88, ensuring a solid partnership.
Pakistan’s bowlers, Qadir and Imran, were effective, taking three and four wickets respectively. They successfully restricted England’s scoring. Pakistan achieved victory with an over to spare, securing their spot in the semi-finals.
1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup – No result
In the 1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup, Pakistan faced a tough start in the tournament. With only one win from five matches, they seemed on the verge of elimination. Imran Khan, despite his age and injury, inspired his team to fight on, urging them to be like a “cornered tiger.”
Their match against England at Adelaide Oval was particularly challenging. Pakistan struggled and was bowled out for just 74 runs. England was at 24/1 when rain intervened, leading to a no-result and each team earning one point.
1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup – Pakistan won 22 runs
Wasim Akram showcased his all-rounder skills during the 1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup. He emerged as the top wicket-taker, claiming 16 wickets throughout the tournament. In the final, his exceptional bowling earned him the Man of the Match award against England.
Pakistan faced England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where England’s players were underperforming. They had recently experienced a narrow escape against South Africa in the semi-final. Consequently, their bowlers struggled, allowing Pakistan to post a total of 249 runs.
Imran Khan and Javed Miandad contributed significantly, forming a solid partnership. Their 139-run stand for the third wicket set a strong foundation for Pakistan. Akram’s explosive batting at the end, scoring 33 off 19 balls, further bolstered their total.
England’s innings faltered early, losing four wickets for just 69 runs. Neil Fairbrother and Lamb attempted to stabilize the middle order but couldn’t succeed. England was ultimately bowled out for 227, falling 22 runs short with only four balls remaining.
1996 Wills World Cup – Pakistan won by seven wickets
In the 1996 Wills World Cup, England faced a dismal tournament, losing all three matches against Test nations. They barely managed to defeat the Netherlands, highlighting their struggles. Their final loss came against hosts Pakistan in Karachi, sealing their exit from the competition.
Chasing a target of 250 runs, Pakistan successfully reached their goal with three wickets remaining. Aamer Sohail contributed 42 runs, while Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed scored 71 and 70, respectively. Inzamam-ul-Haq finished the match unbeaten with 53 runs, showcasing a strong batting performance.
2003 ICC World Cup – England won by 112 runs
The 2003 ICC World Cup was a disappointing chapter for Pakistan. They played six matches, winning only two and losing three. In one crucial game, they lost to England by 112 runs, showcasing poor batting.
Pakistan managed to restrict England to 246/8, but their batting faltered. They quickly fell to 17/3, with James Anderson taking all three early wickets. The innings ended at 31 overs when Shoaib Akhtar was bowled for 43 runs, sealing Pakistan’s fate.
2009 World Twenty20 – England won by 48 runs
In the 2009 World Twenty20, England achieved a significant victory over Pakistan. Despite a shaky start, Kevin Pietersen’s impressive 58 runs boosted England’s score to 185/5.
Stuart Broad then spearheaded the bowling attack, taking 3 wickets for 17 runs. This strong performance limited Pakistan to 137/7, securing England’s progression to the Super Eights stage of the tournament.
2010 – World Twenty20 – England won by six wickets
In the 2010 World Twenty20, England achieved a narrow victory over Pakistan. The match showcased another underwhelming batting performance from Pakistan, with only Salman Butt and Umar Akmal reaching double digits. Broad and Yardy effectively stifled the scoring, taking 2 wickets each.
Chasing a target of 148, England reached it in 19.3 overs. Kevin Pietersen was instrumental in the chase, scoring an impressive 73 not out off 52 balls. This win marked another step toward England’s first ICC tournament title.
Pakistan v England T20I Series 2011/12
In the T20I series between Pakistan and England in 2011/12, England won two out of three matches. The first match took place in Dubai, where England scored 150 runs, while Pakistan managed only 112, falling short by 38 runs. In the second match, Pakistan fought back but still lost, scoring 144 runs against England’s 136.
The final match, held at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, was closely contested. England posted 129 runs, while Pakistan fell short by just five runs, finishing at 124. Overall, England showcased stronger performances, securing a series victory.
Pakistan v England T20I Series 2015/16
In the T20I series between Pakistan and England in 2015/16, England dominated, winning all three matches. James Vince topped the run charts with 125 runs, while Shoaib Malik followed with 101 runs. England’s Liam Plunkett was the standout bowler, taking six wickets in the series.
England’s performance showcased strong batting and bowling strategies. Shahid Afridi achieved the best strike rate at 176.67, while maintaining an economy rate of 5.58. Pakistan struggled throughout the series, finishing without a win and facing challenges in both batting and bowling.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022
In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final, England faced Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. England successfully chased down Pakistan’s total of 137 runs, finishing at 138 for 5 in 19 overs. This victory marked England’s second consecutive T20 World Cup title.
Pakistan in England T20I Series 2024
In the 2024 T20I series between Pakistan and England, two matches were abandoned due to weather. England secured a victory in the first match, restricting Pakistan to 157 runs. They chased down the target successfully, reaching 158 runs in just 15.3 overs.
In the second match, England also won decisively, scoring 183 runs while Pakistan managed only 160. The matches at Sophia Gardens and Headingley were called off, leading to frustration for both teams. Overall, England demonstrated their dominance in the series with strong performances.
