Top 10 IND vs PAK Best Matches in T20 Cricket (Updated 2025)

Cricket’s most intense rivalry is about to occur as India and Pakistan prepare to face off for the 14th time in T20 history, this time on Sunday in Dubai International Stadium at the Asia Cup 2025. These two nations arguably share the greatest rivalry in cricket. Due to long-standing political tensions between the two nations, bilateral series have been off the table for years, limiting their meetings to major ICC tournaments. The last time these two giants met was in the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, where India clinched a memorable win in a high-stakes thriller.

Ever since their dramatic first meeting in the 2007 T20 World Cup, a game that ended in a rare bowl-out, the stakes have only gotten higher. India and Pakistan have met 13 times in T20 internationals so far, with India leading the head-to-head tally 10–3. Whether it’s Virat Kohli’s unforgettable chase under the lights at the MCG in 2022, or Pakistan’s dominant 10-wicket win in Dubai a year earlier. This rivalry has featured some of the IND vs PAK best matches to date and has only added to all the drama that surrounds this high-tension clash.

Which is the Best IND vs PAK Match in T20 Cricket?

When it comes to IND vs PAK best matches in T20 cricket, no match captures the raw drama and sheer emotion like the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup final in Johannesburg. India, under the leadership of a young MS Dhoni, was the underdog heading into the tournament. The stage was set at the iconic Wanderers Stadium.

Batting first, India were in a tricky position early on, but Gautam Gambhir held his ground and scored a match-winning innings of 75 runs off 54 balls under immense pressure. He took on the Pakistani attack, and a late cameo from a young Rohit Sharma helped push the total to 157/5, which was considered a fighting total.

During Pakistan's chase, Misbah-ul-Haq was holding things together, and with just 13 runs needed off the final over, things could have gone either way. MS Dhoni threw the ball to Joginder Sharma, and for a moment, the decision seemed shaky after a wide and a six. But then Misbah tried an audacious scoop over fine leg and mistimed it, which was eventually caught by Sreesanth and just like that, India became the champions of the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup. Irfan Pathan, who took 3 crucial wickets, was rightly named Man of the Match. That match wasn't just about a trophy, but it was the birth of a new era for Indian cricket and T20 as a format.

List of IND vs PAK Match in T20 Cricket

These matches have been IND vs PAK best matches in T20 cricket, producing some unforgettable moments, from nail-biters to one-sided affairs. India has had the upper hand more often than not, winning 10 of the 13 matches played, including that iconic bowl-out win in the very first meeting back in 2007.

Pakistan, though, has had its moments too, especially their dominant 10-wicket victory in Dubai in 2021, which broke India’s unbeaten streak in World Cup T20s against them. With no bilateral series between the two sides, every T20 meeting feels like a high-stakes match. The table here provides an idea about the top 10 IND vs PAK best matches.

5. India 181/7 vs Pakistan 182/5 | Asia Cup 2022

The IND vs PAK matches in Asia Cup have been exciting as well. This Super Four clash in the Asia Cup 2022, held on September 4th at the Dubai International Stadium, turned out to be an absolute nail-biter. Batting first, India posted a strong total of 181/7, thanks largely to a well-paced 60 from Virat Kohli, who anchored the innings after solid but short starts from both openers, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.

In response, Pakistan’s chase didn’t begin smoothly as Babar Azam failed once again, and pressure started to build. But Mohammad Rizwan held the innings together with a 71 off 51 balls. The real twist came when Mohammad Nawaz, usually seen as a bowling all-rounder, was promoted up the order. He played a game-changing knock of 42 off just 20 deliveries, counter-attacking India’s spinners and shifting the momentum.

Despite a spirited effort from Indian bowlers, including wickets from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, and Ravi Bishnoi, the Men in Green kept their cool. The match went down to the last over, but Pakistan crossed the line with 5 wickets in hand and just one ball to spare, finishing at 182/5 in 19.5 overs. It was a well-earned win and one of Pakistan’s finest run-chases in T20Is against India. Nawaz was rightly named Player of the Match, not just for his batting but also for picking up a wicket at an impressive economy with the ball.

4. 85/5 (India) vs 83/10 (Pakistan) | Asia Cup 2016

This match was another one of those IND vs PAK matches in Asia Cup, which was an absolute nail-biter. This clash, during the Asia Cup 2016, played on February 27th in Mirpur, was packed with drama. It wasn’t a high-scoring match, but it had all the intensity you'd expect from a game between these two arch-rivals.

Pakistan batted first and was dismantled by the Indian bowling lineup, managing just 83 runs in 17.3 overs. Hardik Pandya, in particular, stole the show with his spell of 3 for 8, while Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah, and Jadeja kept the pressure tight with early strikes. Even though the chase looked simple on paper, Mohammad Amir had other plans. He bowled a sensational opening spell that broke the Indian top order, removing Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and Suresh Raina cheaply, leaving India at 8 for 3. For a few overs, it genuinely felt like Pakistan might pull off a miracle.

But Virat Kohli held the innings together with a mature 49 off 51 balls. His controlled attack, especially against Amir and Wahab Riaz, was the difference between the two sides. India eventually chased down the target with 5 wickets in hand and 27 balls to spare, but the scoreline doesn’t fully showcase the rollercoaster ride.

3. India 141/9 vs Pakistan 141/7 | ICC T20 World Cup 2007

This match is considered one of the IND vs PAK best matches in T20. The 2007 ICC World Twenty20 in Durban is still talked about as one of the most thrilling encounters between these two teams. India batted first and got off to a shaky start, losing early wickets, including Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, cheaply. But Robin Uthappa anchored the innings with a 50, and MS Dhoni chipped in with a useful 33 to help India reach 141 for 9 in their 20 overs.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif was outstanding with the ball, taking 4 for 18 and making life difficult for the Indian batsmen. Chasing 142, Pakistan looked to be in control for much of the innings, thanks largely to Misbah-ul-Haq’s 53. But wickets kept falling at crucial moments, and the tension grew as the match neared its end. It came down to the last over with Pakistan needing just 1 run off 2 balls. Then came a heartbreaking moment for Pakistan when Misbah was run out trying to get that winning run, leaving Pakistan stranded on 141 for 7, exactly level with India’s score.

Because the match was tied, the winner was decided by a bowl-out, which was a rare sight in international cricket. India’s bowlers showed great accuracy under pressure, hitting the stumps three times in 3 attempts, while Pakistan failed to hit even a single time. India won the bowl-out 3-0, securing a famous victory. It was India’s first World T20 win over Pakistan and marked a key early success for MS Dhoni as captain.

2. India 160/6 vs Pakistan 159/8 | ICC T20 World Cup 2022

The 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Melbourne is arguably considered one of IND vs PAK best matches ever. Pakistan posted a challenging total of 159 for 8 in their 20 overs, with Iftikhar Ahmed playing a crucial knock of 51 runs to handle the innings after early wickets. India’s bowlers, especially Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, made things tough for Pakistan throughout, but the middle order managed to put up a fight.

When India came out to chase, they lost a few key wickets early on, which made the target look even tougher. But then Virat Kohli took control, playing a calculated innings, scoring an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls. His timing and shot selection, especially in the death overs, kept India in the hunt when 31 runs were needed off the last two overs. Then the penultimate over was bowled by Haris Rauf, and Virat Kohli struck two match-winning sixes to keep India in the chase.

One of the most iconic moments from that 2022 T20 World Cup India-Pakistan game was Harsha Bhogle’s unforgettable commentary line: “Kohli goes down the ground and Kohli goes out of the ground!” It perfectly captured the audacity of Virat Kohli’s shot in those tense final overs. Eventually, India sealed a nail-biting 4-wicket victory when 1 run was required off the last bowl of Mohammad Nawaz, and Ashwin struck a lofted shot over mid-off to hit the final nail in the coffin.

1. India 157/5 vs Pakistan 152/10 | 2007 ICC T20 World Cup Final

The 2007 ICC T20 World Cup Final between India and Pakistan was the kind of match that still gives fans goosebumps nearly two decades later. The match was played on September 24 at the iconic Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, with both nations glued to their screens for what was the first-ever T20 World Cup final.

India, batting first, posted a fighting total of 157/5. The standout performance came from Gautam Gambhir, who anchored the innings brilliantly with a 75 off 54 balls, holding things together as wickets kept falling around him. Later, a young Rohit Sharma chipped in with a handy 30 off just 16 balls*, giving India the late push it desperately needed.

Pakistan’s chase was filled with drama. They lost wickets regularly, but Misbah-ul-Haq kept the hopes alive. He took the game deep, launching a counter-attack that made the Indian fans bite their nails. With 13 runs needed off the final over, captain MS Dhoni handed the ball to Joginder Sharma, a relatively inexperienced bowler under that kind of pressure.

The second ball of the over went for a six; the match seemed to be slipping away. But then, the moment that defined an era: Misbah tried a scoop over fine leg, only to mistime it straight into Sreesanth’s hands. Pakistan were bowled out for 152, and India won by just 5 runs. Irfan Pathan was named Player of the Match for his sensational spell of 3/16, which broke Pakistan’s momentum early on. The win wasn’t just about lifting a trophy; it was about a team that had no superstars but played like one.

How We Have Analysed Best IND vs PAK Match in T20

To decide the IND vs PAK best matches in T20, we looked beyond just the final scoreline. Here are the three main factors we considered:

• The Stage of the Match: Not all matches carry the same weight. A World Cup final or a do-or-die Super 4 game will always mean more than a group-stage fixture.

• The Match Situation: Some games are remembered because of how impossible they looked at one point. A stunning comeback or a last-over thriller plays a huge role in how iconic the match becomes.

• Clutch Performances: Every great match has that one moment or player that stands out. These performances often define the legacy of the match and give fans something to remember forever.