Picture this: A young Bangladeshi batsman nervously facing the fiery pace of Wasim Akram under the lights of Sharjah in 1986. That moment wasn’t just an introduction; it was the opening chapter of a cricketing narrative spanning nearly four decades. The pakistan national cricket team vs bangladesh national cricket team timeline is more than just dates and scores; it’s a story of evolution, resilience, and a rivalry that has grown fiercer with every passing year. From Bangladesh’s tentative first steps on the international stage to their landmark triumphs challenging Pakistan’s historical dominance, their encounters map the changing landscape of Asian cricket.
This journey through their shared history reveals not just the results, but the spirit of competition that defines both nations’ passion for the game.
Early Encounters & Bangladesh’s Baptism (1986 – 1999)
The foundation of the rivalry was laid during Bangladesh’s formative years, primarily within the Asia Cup and occasional multi-team tournaments.
- 1986 Asia Cup (Sharjah): The inaugural clash! Pakistan (287/8) comfortably defeated debutants Bangladesh (131/9) by 156 runs on April 1st. Javed Miandad’s century overshadowed Bangladesh’s historic, albeit challenging, ODI debut.
- The 90s: A Period of Learning: Throughout the 1990s, meetings were infrequent and one-sided:
- 1988 Asia Cup: Pakistan won by 9 wickets.
- 1995 Pepsi Asia Cup: Pakistan won by 109 runs.
- 1997 Asia Cup: Pakistan won by 7 wickets.
- 1998 Commonwealth Games: Pakistan won by 9 wickets.
- 1999 World Cup (England): In a crucial group stage match, Pakistan (223/9) secured a comfortable 6-wicket win over Bangladesh (223 all out) at Northampton. Bangladesh’s spirited total showed glimpses of fight, but Pakistan’s experience prevailed.
The Defining Character: Pakistan’s overwhelming dominance. Matches were often clinical displays by the established giants against the aspiring minnows. Bangladesh’s primary goal was competitive participation and gaining experience.
The Test Arena Opens: A New Dimension (2000 – 2005)
Bangladesh’s elevation to Test status in 2000 added a crucial layer to the rivalry.
- First Test Series (2001 – Bangladesh): Pakistan toured Bangladesh for their inaugural Test series.
- 1st Test (Dhaka): Pakistan won by an innings and 178 runs. Saeed Anwar scored a century, and Pakistan’s bowlers dominated.
- 2nd Test (Dhaka): Pakistan won by an innings and 169 runs. Centuries from Younis Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq sealed a comprehensive 2-0 series whitewash.
- ODI Dominance Continues: Pakistan continued their stronghold in the shorter format during this period:
- 2000 Asia Cup: Pakistan won by 233 runs (Bangladesh bowled out for 87).
- 2002 Morocco Cup: Pakistan won by 137 runs.
- 2003 World Cup (South Africa): Pakistan (241 all out) secured a tense 9-run victory defending a modest total against Bangladesh (232/8) in Johannesburg.
- 2003 TVS Cup (Bangladesh): Pakistan won by 74 runs.
- Bangladesh’s First Spark (2004): A monumental moment arrived during the 2004 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, chasing 262, stunned Pakistan with a 62-run victory. This was Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI win against Pakistan, a massive confidence booster and a sign of things to come.
The Defining Character: Continued Pakistani supremacy in Tests and ODIs, punctuated by Bangladesh’s watershed ODI win in 2004, signaling a potential shift. The Test gap remained significant.
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The T20 Revolution & Bangladesh’s Rise (2006 – 2015)
The advent of T20 Internationals added a frenetic new chapter, coinciding with Bangladesh becoming a more consistent force, especially at home.
- First T20I (2006 – Nairobi): Pakistan (146/7) defeated Bangladesh (116/9) by 30 runs in the inaugural ICC World T20 warm-up match.
- Asia Cup Battles Intensify:
- 2012 Asia Cup (Dhaka): Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in a thrilling group match, showcasing their growing home strength.
- 2014 Asia Cup (Mirpur): Pakistan (249/9) narrowly defeated Bangladesh (246 all out) by 3 runs in a nail-biter.
- 2015 World Cup Quarter-Final (Adelaide): A high-stakes knockout match. Pakistan (235/6) comfortably beat Bangladesh (193 all out) by 50 runs. The match was notable for Bangladesh’s spirited bowling but ultimately underscored Pakistan’s big-match pedigree at the time.
- Bilateral Progress: Bangladesh started winning ODI series at home:
- 2015 ODI Series (Bangladesh): Bangladesh secured a historic 3-0 clean sweep at home, marking a significant shift in the rivalry’s power dynamic in Bangladeshi conditions.
The Defining Character: Bangladesh’s emergence as a formidable opponent, particularly in ODIs on home soil. The T20 format provided exciting, unpredictable clashes. While Pakistan still held the edge overall, especially in ICC events, the gap was visibly narrowing.
Modern Rivalry: Landmarks & Fierce Competition (2016 – Present)
This era witnessed Bangladesh achieving landmark victories and the rivalry becoming genuinely competitive across all formats.
- 2016 Asia Cup T20 Final (Mirpur): Bangladesh reached their first Asia Cup final but fell short against Pakistan, who won by 2 wickets in a tense finish.
- 2019 World Cup (Lord’s): Pakistan (315/9) beat Bangladesh (221 all out) by 94 runs. Fakhar Zaman scored a century for Pakistan.
- Bangladesh’s Test Breakthroughs:
- First Test Win (2017): Bangladesh secured their maiden Test victory over Pakistan by 7 wickets in Dhaka during the 2021 series (played in 2021 due to Covid delays).
- Historic Test Series Win in Pakistan (2024): The pinnacle of Bangladesh’s Test journey against Pakistan. Playing in Pakistan, Bangladesh won a thrilling series 2-0.
- 1st Test (Rawalpindi): Bangladesh won by 8 wickets.
- 2nd Test (Dhaka): Bangladesh won by an innings and 184 runs. This series win sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
- T20I Competitiveness Soars (2025): Recent T20I series have been fiercely contested, often going down to the wire, showcasing the depth and talent in both squads. Bangladesh has secured notable bilateral T20I series wins at home against Pakistan in this period.
- Asia Cup Drama Continues: Encounters in the Asia Cup remain high-octane affairs, often pivotal in deciding group standings or knock-out progression.
The Defining Character: A transformed rivalry. Bangladesh is no longer an underdog but a genuine contender, capable of beating Pakistan in any format, anywhere. Pakistan remains a formidable force, leading to high-stakes, unpredictable contests. Bangladesh’s 2024 Test series win in Pakistan stands as the most significant landmark.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Head-to-Head Snapshot (Across Formats – Updated Late 2025)
| Format | Matches | Pakistan Wins | Bangladesh Wins | Tied/Draw | Pakistan Win % | Bangladesh Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 (Draws) | 69.2% | 15.4% |
| ODI | 40 | 33 | 6 | 1 (Tied) | 82.5% | 15.0% |
| T20I | 19 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 68.4% | 31.6% |
| TOTAL | 72 | 55 | 14 | 3 | 76.4% | 19.4% |
- Key Takeaway: While Pakistan maintains a significant overall advantage, the trend is undeniable. Bangladesh’s win percentages, particularly in Tests (15.4%) and T20Is (31.6%), have risen dramatically in the last decade. Their ODI win percentage (15%) is heavily influenced by the early, one-sided years; recent bilateral series tell a different story.
The Unfolding Future
The pakistan national cricket team vs bangladesh national cricket team timeline is far from complete. What began as a predictable contest has evolved into one of Asia’s most compelling cricketing narratives. Bangladesh’s remarkable journey, culminating in landmark achievements like the 2024 Test series win, has injected genuine competitive fire into every encounter.
The future promises:
- Evenly Matched Bilateral Battles: Tours will be fiercely contested, especially in the subcontinent.
- High-Stakes ICC Clashes: Every World Cup or T20 World Cup meeting carries immense weight for both nations.
- Asia Cup Showdowns: Remains a premier stage for this rivalry.
- New Generation Heroes: Young stars on both sides will write the next chapters.
The passion, the history, and the ever-closing gap in quality ensure that whenever the green shirts of Pakistan face the red and green of Bangladesh, cricket fans around the world are guaranteed drama, skill, and a contest reflecting the beautiful evolution of the game.
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FAQs
When was the first-ever match between Pakistan and Bangladesh?
Their first encounter was an ODI during the 1986 Asia Cup in Sharjah on April 1st, 1986. Pakistan won comfortably.
When did Bangladesh first beat Pakistan?
Bangladesh secured their first-ever ODI win against Pakistan during the 2004 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, winning by 62 runs.
When did Bangladesh win their first Test match against Pakistan?
Bangladesh achieved their maiden Test victory over Pakistan during a series hosted in Bangladesh in 2021 (played in 2021 due to Covid delays), winning the match in Dhaka by 7 wickets.
What is Bangladesh’s most significant achievement against Pakistan?
Undoubtedly, winning the Test series 2-0 in Pakistan during 2024. Winning both Tests comprehensively on Pakistani soil marked a historic high point for Bangladesh cricket in this rivalry.
Has Bangladesh ever beaten Pakistan in an ICC tournament knockout game?
No, Bangladesh has not yet defeated Pakistan in an ICC tournament knockout match. Their most notable ICC meeting was the 2015 World Cup Quarter-Final (Pakistan won) and the 2016 Asia Cup T20 Final (Pakistan won).
Who has the overall advantage in the rivalry?
Pakistan holds a significant overall advantage across all formats (W55, L14, Tied/Drawn 3 out of 72 matches). However, Bangladesh’s win rate has increased substantially, especially in Tests and T20Is, over the last 5-10 years.
Are T20 matches between them competitive now?
Absolutely. While Pakistan still leads the T20I head-to-head (13-6), recent series (especially in 2025) have been incredibly close and fiercely contested, often going to the final over or the last match. Bangladesh has won bilateral T20I series at home against Pakistan in this period.
