Hey there, cricket fans! If you’re like me, nothing gets the heart racing quite like a good South Asian showdown on the field. Today, we’re diving into the exciting Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline. From their very first encounter to the latest thrilling series, this rivalry has grown from one-sided dominance to moments of real drama and upsets. Whether you’re a die-hard follower or just curious about how these two teams stack up, I’ll walk you through it all in a simple, straightforward way. No jargon overload – just the stories, stats, and key moments that make this matchup so special.
Cricket between Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline isn’t just about scores; it’s tied to history, culture, and the passion of two nations. Pakistan, with its rich legacy of fast bowlers and stylish batsmen, has long been the senior partner. Bangladesh, the “Tigers,” joined the international scene later but have roared back with grit and determination. Over the years, they’ve played across all formats – Tests, ODIs, and T20Is – totaling over 70 matches. As of September 2025, Pakistan leads the overall head-to-head with a commanding record, but Bangladesh has scripted some unforgettable chapters. Let’s break it down by format, with timelines, highlights, and a handy table to keep things easy to follow.
The Dawn of the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry: Early Years and First Encounters (1980s-1990s)
The story starts back in 1986, when Bangladesh was still finding its feet in international cricket. Their debut ODI against Pakistan came during the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. It was a tough baptism – Pakistan chased down Bangladesh’s total with ease, winning by 7 wickets. That match on March 31 at Moratuwa set the tone for years to come. Pakistan’s experienced side, led by players like Javed Miandad, simply outclassed the newcomers.
Through the late 1980s and 1990s, encounters were sporadic, mostly in multi-nation tournaments. Bangladesh gained full ICC membership in 2000, opening the door for more regular clashes. But early on, it was all Pakistan. In Tests, the first meeting was in 2001 at Multan, where Pakistan hammered Bangladesh by an innings and 264 runs. Shahid Afridi’s explosive batting and Saqlain Mushtaq’s spin were nightmares for the Bangladeshi batsmen.
These years were about building foundations for Bangladesh. They learned from defeats, with players like Mohammad Ashraful showing promise. For Pakistan, it was a chance to assert regional supremacy. By the end of the 90s, they’d played just a handful of ODIs, with Pakistan winning most convincingly.
Entering the New Millennium: Tests and the Rise of Bangladesh (2000s)
The 2000s saw the rivalry heat up as Bangladesh hosted more series and improved steadily. In Tests, Pakistan toured Bangladesh multiple times, often dominating but facing stiffer resistance. A key series was in 2003, where Pakistan won 2-0, but Bangladesh showed fight in drawing the first Test. Off the field, these tours built goodwill, with packed stadiums in Dhaka and Chittagong.
One standout moment? The 2005 series in Pakistan, drawn 1-1. Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win came against Pakistan? No, that was Zimbabwe in 2004, but against Pakistan, their first victory was a long time coming. In ODIs, the Asia Cup remained a battleground. In 2000, Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh by 8 wickets, but by 2008, Bangladesh pulled off a shock 4-wicket win in Karachi during a tri-series.
T20Is kicked off in 2007 at the Kenya Quadrangular. Pakistan won by 30 runs, with Shahid Afridi’s all-round show stealing the spotlight. By the end of the decade, they’d played 10 T20Is, Pakistan winning 8. Bangladesh’s bowlers like Mashrafe Mortaza started troubling Pakistan’s top order, hinting at a shift.
This era was crucial for Bangladesh – from whipping boys to competitive underdogs. Pakistan, meanwhile, dealt with their own ups and downs but usually came out on top.
The 2010s: Upsets, Series Wins, and Growing Parity
The 2010s brought fireworks! Bangladesh’s golden period started with their first bilateral ODI series win over Pakistan in 2015, a 3-0 whitewash at home. Led by Mashrafe, they bowled Pakistan out for low totals, with Mustafizur Rahman’s left-arm pace causing havoc. It was a massive confidence booster.
In Tests, Pakistan still ruled, winning series like 2011’s 2-0 in Bangladesh. But the 2015 home series was drawn, with Bangladesh nearly pulling off a win in the first Test thanks to a mammoth 628 by Pakistan but holding firm.
ODIs saw more balance. In the 2017 Champions Trophy, Pakistan crushed Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the group stage. But Bangladesh stunned everyone in the 2018 Asia Cup Super Four, bowling Pakistan out for 162 and winning by 137 runs (DLS method) – Tamim Iqbal’s 95 set it up.
T20Is got explosive too. Pakistan won the 2014 Asia Cup final by 5 wickets, but Bangladesh replied with a 2018 Asia Cup win by 33 runs. By 2019, in the World Cup, Pakistan bounced back with a 94-run thrashing in London.
Key event: The 2019 series in the UAE (neutral venue due to security), where Pakistan won ODIs 2-0. Overall, the decade saw Bangladesh win 3 ODIs, up from zero before. It was a timeline of transition – Bangladesh maturing, Pakistan adapting.
The 2020s: Recent Battles, Historic Wins, and the Latest Twists (Up to 2025)
Fast-forward to the 2020s, and the rivalry is fiercer than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted tours, but when play resumed, excitement returned. In 2020, Pakistan won the single Test in Rawalpindi by an innings and 44 runs, with debutant Naseem Shah’s reverse swing shining.
2021 saw Pakistan sweep a 2-0 Test series in Bangladesh, but ODIs were shared 1-1 (rain-affected). T20Is? Pakistan dominated early, winning series like 2021’s 3-0.
Then came the upsets. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pakistan won by 7 wickets in Kolkata, chasing 345 – Saud Shakeel’s 68* was key. But in Tests, 2024 was Bangladesh’s year! They stunned Pakistan 2-0 in Pakistan, their first-ever Test series win there. The first Test in Rawalpindi was a 10-wicket haul after Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim scored a marathon 200*. The second in Karachi sealed it.
T20Is in 2025 have been a rollercoaster. In May, Pakistan whitewashed Bangladesh 3-0 at home in Lahore. Mohammad Haris’s 107* in the third T20I was a highlight, chasing 197. But in July, Bangladesh turned the tables with a historic 2-1 series win at home in Mirpur. They thrashed Pakistan in the second T20I by 8 runs, defending 133 with Shoriful Islam’s 4/20. Pakistan won the dead rubber third by 74 runs, but Bangladesh’s first T20I series victory over Pakistan was a massive milestone.
In the 2025 Champions Trophy (February), Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the group stage at Rawalpindi, continuing their ICC event dominance. As of now, with the Asia Cup 2025 ongoing, fans are buzzing for more clashes.
Head-to-Head Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline: A Quick Snapshot
To make it super easy, here’s a table summarizing the overall timeline and stats across formats. I’ve focused on key series and totals up to September 2025. Pakistan’s edge is clear, but Bangladesh’s recent wins show progress.
| Format | Total Matches | Pakistan Wins | Bangladesh Wins | Draws/Ties/No Result | Key Timeline Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | – First: 2001 (Pak win by innings). – Bangladesh’s first win: 2024 series (2-0 in Pak). – Recent: 2021 Pak 2-0 in Ban; 2015 drawn 1-1. |
| ODIs | 39 | 34 | 5 | 0 | – First: 1986 Asia Cup (Pak win). – Ban’s first series win: 2015 (3-0). – Recent: 2023 WC (Pak win); 2018 Asia Cup upset (Ban win). |
| T20Is | 25 | 20 | 5 | 0 | – First: 2007 Kenya (Pak win). – Ban’s first series win: 2025 (2-1 in Ban). – Recent: 2025 May (Pak 3-0); July (Ban 2-1); 2022 WC (Pak win). |
| Overall | 79 | 66 | 12 | 1 | Spans 1986-2025; Pak dominates, but Ban’s 2024-25 upsets mark growth. |
These numbers tell a story: Pakistan’s 83% win rate in ODIs, but Bangladesh has won 2 of the last 5 Tests. In T20Is, it’s closer lately, with Bangladesh’s 2025 series win boosting morale.
Iconic Players and Moments That Defined the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline
What makes this rivalry timeless are the heroes. For Pakistan, Wasim Akram’s swing terrorized Bangladesh in the 90s, while Babar Azam has piled up runs in recent ODIs (over 500 vs Ban). Shaheen Afridi’s pace has been lethal in T20Is.
Bangladesh’s stars? Shakib Al Hasan, the all-round maestro, has 300+ runs and 50+ wickets against Pakistan. Litton Das’s captaincy in 2025 T20Is led to that historic series. Don’t forget Tamim Iqbal’s gritty openers or Mustafizur’s cutters that bamboozled Pak batsmen in 2015.
Memorable moments:
- 1999 World Cup Shock: Bangladesh’s 62-run win in Northampton – their first WC victory.
- 2015 ODI Whitewash: Bangladesh’s bowlers skittled Pakistan for 119 and 136.
- 2024 Test Triumph: Mushfiqur’s double ton and Litton Das’s leadership in Rawalpindi.
- 2025 T20 Drama: Bangladesh’s 8-run thriller in Dhaka, their first series win.
These instances aren’t just stats; they’re turning points that inspired generations.
Why This Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry Matters Today and What’s Next
As we look at the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline, it’s clear how far both teams have come. For any age group – kids dreaming of sixes, adults reliving glory days – this matchup teaches resilience. Pakistan’s experience vs Bangladesh’s hunger makes every game unpredictable.
