Hey there, cricket fans! Imagine two teams stepping onto the field, one with the fiery spirit of the Caribbean sun and the other with the unyielding determination of the subcontinent’s mountains. That’s the story of the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline. For decades, they’ve locked horns in matches that have produced heart-pounding finishes, legendary heroes, and moments that still give us goosebumps. Whether it’s the slow-burn drama of a five-day Test or the explosive fireworks of a T20 thriller, this rivalry has everything.
As a cricket lover who’s watched more nail-biters than I can count, I can tell you this: Pakistan and West Indies aren’t just opponents; they’re like old friends who love to push each other to the edge. Pakistan brings that clever spin bowling and gritty batting, while West Indies unleashes raw power with their big hitters and fearsome pacers. From their first handshake in 1958 to the edge-of-your-seat series in 2025, their timeline is a rollercoaster ride. In this article, we’ll stroll through the key chapters of their story – the wins, the heartbreaks, and the unforgettable moments. And to make it super easy, I’ve got a handy table summarizing the big series. Grab your cuppa, settle in, and let’s relive the magic. Who knows? You might even spot a lesson or two for your next backyard game.
The Dawn of a Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry: Early Tests and the Birth of Respect (1958–1970s)
Picture this: It’s 1958, and Test cricket is still finding its feet in the post-colonial world. Pakistan, a young nation in the sport, hosts West Indies for their first-ever series. The visitors, already legends with stars like Sir Frank Worrell and Rohan Kanhai, arrive in Lahore like rockstars. But Pakistan, led by the elegant Hanif Mohammad, had other ideas. The hosts pulled off a stunning upset in the first Test, winning by an innings and 156 runs. Hanif’s marathon 337 not out? That’s the stuff of dreams – the longest Test innings ever at the time!
West Indies bounced back, though. They leveled the series 1-1 with a gritty win in Dhaka. It set the tone: respect amid the competition. Fast-forward to the 1970s, and the rivalry heats up. In 1976-77, during Pakistan’s tour of the Caribbean, Clive Lloyd’s mighty Windies machine – think Andy Roberts and Michael Holding – dominated with a 2-0 whitewash. But Imran Khan, then a rising star, took 6 for 87 in Barbados, hinting at the all-round wizard Pakistan would unleash later.
These early clashes weren’t just about scores; they were cultural exchanges. Pakistani fans learned to love calypso beats, while West Indians discovered biryani. By the end of the decade, the head-to-head in Tests stood at a balanced 6 wins each, with plenty of draws. It was cricket at its purest – endurance, strategy, and a dash of flair.
The Golden 1980s: Imran’s Army vs. the Four Horsemen
Ah, the 1980s – the era that turned this rivalry into legend. Pakistan, under the captaincy of the charismatic Imran Khan, was building a fearsome side. West Indies? They were the unbeatable kings, powered by their “Four Horsemen” pacers: Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, and Andy Roberts. Batsmen trembled at their approach.
The 1985-86 series in the Caribbean was pure poetry. Pakistan, trailing 0-1 after a loss in Guyana, fought back in Jamaica. Javed Miandad’s cool-headed 116 and Imran’s 5-wicket haul sealed a historic win – Pakistan’s first Test victory in the West Indies! The series ended 1-1, but it boosted Pakistan’s confidence sky-high. Imran called it “the turning point.”
Then came the 1987 World Cup in India, where West Indies edged Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller (by 1 wicket). But revenge was sweet in the 1988-89 home series. Pakistan swept 2-0, with Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed starring. West Indies’ decline had begun – their invincible aura cracked. By decade’s end, Pakistan led Tests 12-10. Key moment? Vivian Richards’ blazing 189 in 1988, reminding everyone why West Indies were once gods.
These years taught us that cricket isn’t just physical; it’s mental warfare. Imran’s “cornered tigers” speech? Born from battles like these.
1990s Twists: Draws, Drama, and the ODI Boom
The 1990s brought balance – and boredom, with draws galore. In 1992-93, West Indies toured Pakistan and the series ended 0-0, thanks to flat pitches and rain. But off the field? Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose terrorized batsmen, while Wasim Akram’s swing was unplayable.
ODIs exploded here. Their first ODI clash was in 1983, but the 1990s saw fireworks. Remember the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal? Pakistan’s 8-wicket demolition of West Indies, with Aamer Sohail’s swaggering 55. West Indies won more ODIs overall (thanks to home advantages), but Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup prep included a morale-boosting series win.
A standout: The 1997 home series, where Pakistan won 3-0 in ODIs. Saeed Anwar’s silky 194 in Sharjah (1990, technically late 80s) set records. By 1999, Tests were even at 14-14, but ODIs tilted West Indies’ way 30-25. The decade’s lesson? Adaptability. As T20 loomed, shorter formats favored the flamboyant.
2000s: Inzamam’s Grace and Lara’s Fire
Entering the new millennium, Brian Lara’s artistry met Inzamam-ul-Haq’s languid genius. The 2000-01 Caribbean tour was epic: West Indies won 1-0, but Pakistan’s draw in Antigua featured Inzi’s 142. Lara’s 688-run calendar year? Partly fueled by Pakistani bowlers.
The 2004-05 home series saw Pakistan whitewash Tests 2-0, with Shoaib Akhtar’s express pace rattling stumps. ODIs? West Indies stole a 3-2 series in 2005, led by Chris Gayle’s hurricane batting.
T20Is debuted in 2007, but their first bilateral was 2011 – West Indies won by 7 runs in St. Lucia. By 2009, with Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup win (ironically beating Sri Lanka, not WI), the rivalry evolved. Tests: Pakistan edged 18-17. ODIs: West Indies 45-35. The 2000s showed resilience – post-9/11 tours for Pakistan were tough, but cricket healed divides.
2010s: T20 Twists and Test Resurgences
The T20 era flipped scripts. Pakistan dominated, winning 12 of 18 T20Is by 2019. The 2016 World T20 saw Pakistan crush West Indies in the semis (pre-match favorites). But West Indies? Their 2016 T20WC triumph inspired upsets, like the 2018 ODI series win 3-0.
Tests remained gritty. In 2016, Misbah-ul-Haq’s Pakistan drew 2-2 in UAE (neutral venue due to security). Sarfaraz Ahmed’s 2017 homecoming? A 2-1 ODI win. Key man: Babar Azam, whose elegant covers dismantled WI attacks.
By 2019, head-to-head: Tests 21-18 Pakistan; ODIs 53-60 WI; T20Is 12-3 Pak. The decade’s vibe? Youthful energy. West Indies’ young guns like Shimron Hetmyer challenged Pakistan’s veterans.
2020s: Pandemics, Pace, and Recent Thrillers
COVID shook things, but cricket roared back. The 2021 home series: Pakistan swept ODIs 3-0, T20s 2-1. Babar’s 158 in ODIs? Masterclass. West Indies responded in 2022 with a T20I win, but Pakistan’s spin duo Shadab Khan-Yasir Shah ruled.
Now, 2025 – the latest chapter. Pakistan toured the US and West Indies for 3 T20s and 3 ODIs. T20s: Pakistan won 2-1, with Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan’s 138-run stand in the decider clinching it by 13 runs. Jason Holder’s last-ball heroics in game 2 (WI win by 2 wickets) broke WI’s streak.
ODIs were a see-saw: Pakistan won the opener by 5 wickets (Hasan Nawaz’s debut 63*), WI leveled with a DLS thriller (Roston Chase 49*), then WI’s Shai Hope (120*) and Jayden Seales (6/18) crushed Pakistan by 202 runs – their first bilateral ODI series win since 1991! Historic stuff.
As of October 2025, overall stats (men’s internationals): Tests – 59 matches, Pak 23 wins, WI 19, 17 draws; ODIs – 110 matches, Pak 49 wins, WI 55, 6 ties/no results; T20Is – 24 matches, Pak 17 wins, WI 4, 3 no results. The rivalry? As alive as ever.
Full Table: Key Bilateral Series Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline
To keep things simple, here’s a table of major bilateral series between Pakistan and West Indies across formats. I’ve focused on multi-match tours since 1980 for brevity – wins include the series result (e.g., 2-1 means two wins to one). Data drawn from official records.
| Year | Host | Format | Series Result (Winner – Score) | Key Highlights/Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-86 | West Indies | Tests (5) | Drawn 1-1 | Pakistan’s first WI Test win (Jamaica); Imran Khan 5/84. |
| 1987 | India (WC) | ODIs (1) | WI won (1-0) | WI chase 183 in WC group stage thriller. |
| 1988-89 | Pakistan | Tests (2) | Pak won 2-0 | Clean sweep; Viv Richards 189 in 2nd Test. |
| 1988-89 | Pakistan | ODIs (3) | Pak won 2-1 | Javed Miandad’s captaincy masterclass. |
| 1990 | West Indies | ODIs (3) | WI won 2-1 | Desmond Haynes 111 in decider. |
| 1992-93 | Pakistan | Tests (3) | Drawn 0-0 | All draws; Waqar Younis 7/76 in Karachi. |
| 1992-93 | Pakistan | ODIs (3) | Pak won 3-0 | Inzamam-ul-Haq’s emergence. |
| 1996 | India (WC) | ODIs (1) | Pak won (1-0) | WC quarterfinal; Aamer Sohail 55. |
| 1997-98 | West Indies | Tests (3) | Drawn 0-0 | Mushtaq Ahmed 6/68 in Antigua. |
| 1997-98 | West Indies | ODIs (5) | Pak won 3-2 | Saeed Anwar’s form; WI’s home fightback. |
| 2000-01 | West Indies | Tests (5) | WI won 1-0 (4 draws) | Brian Lara 100s; Inzi 142 in draw. |
| 2000-01 | West Indies | ODIs (4) | WI won 3-1 | Chris Gayle’s early T20-like blasts. |
| 2004-05 | Pakistan | Tests (3) | Pak won 2-0 (1 draw) | Shoaib Akhtar 6/30; Danish Kaneria spin. |
| 2004-05 | Pakistan | ODIs (4) | Drawn 2-2 | Inzamam 122 in decider. |
| 2005 | West Indies | ODIs (4) | WI won 3-1 | Brian Lara’s captaincy swan song. |
| 2011 | West Indies | T20Is (1) | WI won (1-0) | First bilateral T20; Darren Sammy heroics. |
| 2013 | West Indies | ODIs (3) | WI won 3-0 | Whitewash; Darren Bravo 112*. |
| 2016 | UAE | Tests (3) | Drawn 2-2 | Misbah-ul-Haq’s farewell ton. |
| 2016 | UAE | ODIs (3) | Pak won 3-0 | Babar Azam’s ODI debut fireworks. |
| 2017 | West Indies | T20Is (3) | Pak won 3-0 | Whitewash; Hasan Ali 3/26 in opener. |
| 2018 | West Indies | ODIs (3) | WI won 3-0 | Shimron Hetmyer 116 in 2nd ODI. |
| 2021 | West Indies | ODIs (3) | Pak won 3-0 | Imam-ul-Haq 148; Shaheen Afridi 4/32. |
| 2021 | West Indies | T20Is (3) | Pak won 2-1 | Mohammad Rizwan’s keeping wizardry. |
| 2022 | Pakistan | ODIs (3) | Pak won 3-2 | Babar 77 in decider; Fakhar Zaman blitz. |
| 2022 | Pakistan | T20Is (3) | WI won 3-2 | WI’s first T20 series win vs Pak. |
| 2025 | West Indies | T20Is (3) | Pak won 2-1 | Saim Ayub 60; Holder’s last-ball six in game 2. |
| 2025 | West Indies | ODIs (3) | WI won 2-1 | Shai Hope 120*, Seales 6/18 in decider. |
This table captures 25+ series – a quick reference for the highs and lows. Notice how T20s favor Pakistan lately, while ODIs stay competitive?
Iconic Moments That Defined the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry
No timeline is complete without the goosebump inducers. Let’s chat about a few:
- Hanif’s 337 (1958): Longest Test knock then; Pakistan’s statement of arrival.
- Imran’s Jamaica Miracle (1986): Beating the unbeatable Windies; “We were down, but never out.”
- Miandad’s Last-Ball Six (1986, vs India – but inspired WI clashes!): Wait, wrong rivalry, but his coolness shone vs WI too.
- Lara vs Akhtar Duel (2001): Lara’s 400* record, but Shoaib’s bouncers made it personal.
- Babar’s 158 (2021 ODI): Effortless class; Pakistan’s modern maestro.
- Holder’s Heroics (2025 T20): 4/19 and winning six – broke WI’s drought.
- Seales’ 6/18 (2025 ODI): Ended 34-year wait; WI’s resurgence.
These aren’t just stats; they’re stories of courage. Like when rain saved Pakistan in 1993 or how neutral venues in 2016 kept the flame alive.
What Makes This Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry Special?
In a world of India-Pak hype, Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline flies under the radar but packs more heart. Both teams have faced off-field storms – security issues for Pakistan, administrative woes for WI – yet cricket unites them. Shared colonial roots, multicultural squads (WI’s 10 nations, Pak’s Pashtun-Punjabi mix), and a love for aggressive play. Fun fact: They’ve produced 5 World Cup encounters, with Pak winning 3.
For young fans: Watch replays of Gayle vs Afridi. For elders: Relive Imran vs Malcolm. It’s generational.
The Future: What’s Next for Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline?
As 2025 wraps, eyes on 2026 tours. With WI rebuilding under Hope and Pakistan eyeing Babar’s post-WC form, expect more fireworks. T20s might see WI’s power hitters level up, while Tests could revive if pitches spice up.
