Introduction
Few rivalries in Asian cricket carry the emotional weight, historical drama, and sporting brilliance of the Sri Lanka national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team timeline. From the very first handshake in the mid-1970s to the high-stakes clashes of 2026, these two subcontinent giants have produced unforgettable moments — from Muttiah Muralitharan’s spinning sorcery to Wasim Akram’s lethal reverse swing, from the heartbreak of the 2009 Lahore attack to the euphoria of World Cup upsets.
This article is the ultimate, fully detailed timeline of every major encounter between Sri Lanka and Pakistan across all formats — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Whether you are a stats-obsessed fan, a cricket historian, or someone searching for the complete Sri Lanka national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team timeline, this guide covers it all. We break down every era, every landmark match, every record, and every twist that has shaped one of cricket’s most compelling rivalries through 2026.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Rivalry: Overview & Background
The story begins in 1975, when Sri Lanka — still an Associate member without Test status — met Pakistan in the inaugural Prudential World Cup at Old Trafford, Manchester. Pakistan won that ODI comfortably, but a seed was planted. Sri Lanka’s cricketing identity was being forged, and Pakistan, already a established force, became one of their earliest and most frequent opponents.
Sri Lanka was granted full Test status in 1981, and the first bilateral Test series against Pakistan followed in 1981–82. Pakistan, led by the legendary Imran Khan, dominated those early years. However, Sri Lanka’s rise through the 1990s — powered by Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, and later Sanath Jayasuriya — transformed the contest into a genuine rivalry.
Why does this rivalry matter? Because it represents two very different cricketing philosophies: Pakistan’s raw, mercurial pace-and-power approach versus Sri Lanka’s spin-dominant, tactical, and often unorthodox style. The Sri Lanka national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team timeline is not just a list of scores; it is a mirror reflecting the evolution of Asian cricket itself.
Early Era: 1975 – 1990
The first chapter of this rivalry belongs firmly to Pakistan.
- 1975 (June 7): The two sides met for the very first time in a World Cup group-stage ODI at Old Trafford. Pakistan posted 330/6 and bowled Sri Lanka out for 138. Zaheer Abbas and Sadiq Mohammad were the chief destroyers. Pakistan won by 192 runs.
- 1981–82: Sri Lanka, freshly minted as a Test nation, toured Pakistan for a 3-match Test series. Pakistan, captained by Imran Khan, won the series 2–0 with one draw. Javed Miandad scored heavily, and the Lankan batsmen struggled against the pace of Imran and Sikander Bakht.
- 1982: Pakistan toured Sri Lanka for the return series. Pakistan again proved superior, winning the Test series. However, Sri Lankan spinner Ajith de Silva showed glimpses of the spin tradition that would later define the island’s cricket.
- 1985–86: A watershed moment. Sri Lanka recorded their first-ever Test victory over Pakistan at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground, Colombo. Captain Duleep Mendis led the charge, and spinner Don Anurasiri ran through the Pakistani lower order. The series ended 1–1. This win announced Sri Lanka as a force to be reckoned with.
- 1986–87: Pakistan hit back in the ODI format, winning a tightly contested 3-match ODI series 2–1 in Sharjah during the Austral-Asia Cup. Wasim Akram, still a teenager, announced himself with pace that made Lankan batsmen dance.
- 1989–90: A 3-Test series in Pakistan ended in a 0–0 draw (all three Tests drawn), but Arjuna Ranatunga scored his maiden Test century against Pakistan, signalling the arrival of a fighter.
This era established the pattern: Pakistan’s pace versus Sri Lanka’s resilience. The rivalry was young, but the competitive fire was already burning.
Middle Era: 1991 – 2005
The 1990s and early 2000s transformed this rivalry from one-sided to genuinely thrilling.
- 1992 World Cup (March 1, Brisbane): Pakistan edged Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in a group-stage match. Inzamam-ul-Haq played a cameo. Pakistan would go on to win the tournament, but Sri Lanka’s fight was noted.
- 1995–96: The rivalry reached a boiling point. In the 1996 Wills World Cup quarter-final at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad (March 9, 1996), Sri Lanka produced a stunning upset. Chasing 253, Aravinda de Silva smashed an unbeaten 145, and Sanath Jayasuriya provided a blistering start. Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets, eliminating Pakistan and marching toward their historic World Cup title. This remains one of the most celebrated victories in Sri Lankan cricket history.
- 1997: A gripping 2-Test series in Sri Lanka ended 0–0, but Muttiah Muralitharan took 16 wickets across two Tests, announcing himself as Pakistan’s nemesis for the next decade.
- 1999–2000: Pakistan toured Sri Lanka. Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar terrorised Lankan batsmen in the Tests, but Marvan Atapattu scored a defiant double century. The series ended 1–1.
- 2000: Sri Lanka toured Pakistan. In the Karachi Test, Muralitharan took 13 wickets in the match, but Pakistan still won the series 2–0 thanks to centuries from Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana.
- 2002: The Asian Test Championship final in Lahore saw Pakistan beat Sri Lanka. However, in the ODI triangular series that followed, Sri Lanka won the final in Colombo, with Jayasuriya scoring a rapid 97.
- 2004: Sri Lanka toured Pakistan for a 3-Test, 5-ODI series. Pakistan won the Test series 2–0, but Sri Lanka took the ODI series 3–2, with Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga shining. This was the era when Sri Lanka’s ODI depth began to match Pakistan’s.
- 2005: A memorable ODI series in Sri Lanka saw the hosts win 3–2. Muttiah Muralitharan reached his 600th Test wicket milestone during this period, many of them against Pakistani batsmen.
The middle era was defined by the Muralitharan vs. Pakistani batsmen subplot, the emergence of Jayasuriya’s aggressive captaincy, and Pakistan’s reliance on the legendary pace duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Modern Era: 2006 – 2019
The rivalry entered a new dimension in this period, marked by tragedy, triumph, and shifting power dynamics.
- 2006: Pakistan toured Sri Lanka. The Test series ended 1–1, but the ODI series was a thriller. Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf scored three centuries in the calendar year against Sri Lanka, a remarkable feat.
- 2007 T20 World Cup (September, Johannesburg): The two sides met in the group stage. Pakistan won by 33 runs, but the match is remembered for Shahid Afridi’s explosive 39 off 20 balls.
- 2009 (March 3) – The Lahore Attack: The darkest day in this rivalry’s history. The Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by gunmen in Lahore, Pakistan, en route to the Gaddafi Stadium for the second Test. Six police officers and two civilians were killed. Several Sri Lankan players, including Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana, were injured. The series was abandoned. Cricket between the two nations was suspended for years. This event reshaped international cricket scheduling and Pakistan’s status as a host nation.
- 2010–11: After a hiatus, the teams resumed playing in neutral venues (UAE). Pakistan won a 2-Test series 1–0 in Abu Dhabi, with Misbah-ul-Haq scoring crucial runs.
- 2012: Sri Lanka toured the UAE for Tests against Pakistan. The series was drawn 0–0, but Kumar Sangakkara scored a magnificent 199 in the first Test at Dubai, one of the finest innings by a visiting batsman in UAE conditions.
- 2014 T20 World Cup (April, Mirpur): Sri Lanka and Pakistan met in the Super 10 stage. Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets, with Mahela Jayawardene playing a captain’s knock. Sri Lanka went on to win the T20 World Cup, defeating India in the final.
- 2015: Pakistan toured Sri Lanka for a full series. Sri Lanka won the ODI series 3–2 and the T20I series 2–0, but Pakistan took the Test series 2–1. Yasir Shah made his Test debut and took a five-wicket haul, beginning his long battle against Sri Lankan batsmen.
- 2017: Sri Lanka toured Pakistan (a landmark return of international cricket to Pakistan). Pakistan won the ODI series 5–0 — a whitewash that stunned Sri Lankan cricket. Babar Azam scored his first ODI century against Sri Lanka in this series, announcing a new era.
- 2019: Pakistan toured Sri Lanka. The Test series ended 1–0 to Pakistan, with Shan Masood and Abid Ali scoring centuries. Sri Lanka’s batting crumbled against Shaheen Shah Afridi’s left-arm pace.
This era was shaped by the post-Lahore security landscape, the rise of Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi for Pakistan, and Sri Lanka’s rebuilding phase after the retirements of Jayasuriya, Sangakkara, and Mahela.
2020 – 2026: The Latest Chapter
The most recent phase of the Sri Lanka national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team timeline has been packed with high drama.
- 2020–21: Pakistan toured Sri Lanka for 2 Tests and 3 T20Is. Pakistan won the Test series 2–0, with Abid Ali scoring back-to-back centuries. Sri Lanka’s young batting lineup struggled against Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.
- 2022 Asia Cup (August–September, UAE): The two sides met twice. In the group stage, Bhanuka Rajapaksa hit a last-ball six to give Sri Lanka a thrilling 23-run win (DLS). In the final, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs to clinch the Asia Cup title, with Prabath Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga sharing bowling honours. This was Sri Lanka’s first Asia Cup title since 2014.
- 2022 T20 World Cup (October, Australia): Pakistan and Sri Lanka met in the group stage. Pakistan won by 6 wickets, with Mohammad Rizwan scoring an unbeaten 52. Pakistan reached the final but lost to England.
- 2023 Asia Cup (September, Sri Lanka): Pakistan toured Sri Lanka. In a rain-affected group match, Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets in a DLS thriller. However, Pakistan won the Super Four encounter. Sri Lanka won the tournament, beating India in the final.
- 2023 ODI World Cup (October, India): The two teams met in a group-stage match in Hyderabad. Pakistan won by 6 wickets, with Mohammad Rizwan (77*) and Saud Shakeel (59) guiding the chase. Sri Lanka’s tournament was disappointing overall.
- 2024: Pakistan toured Sri Lanka for a 2-Test series in July–August 2024. Sri Lanka won the series 2–0, their first Test series win over Pakistan since 2014. Prabath Jayasuriya took 17 wickets in the series, and Dinesh Chandimal scored a crucial century. This was a massive psychological boost for Sri Lanka.
- 2024 T20 World Cup (June, USA/West Indies): The two sides did not meet in the group stage but both were eliminated before the knockout rounds in a tournament full of upsets.
- 2025: Sri Lanka toured Pakistan for a 3-ODI and 3-T20I series in early 2025. Pakistan won the ODI series 2–1, with Babar Azam scoring a match-winning 112 in the decider at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka won the T20I series 2–1, with Pathum Nissanka hitting a stunning 83 off 44 balls in the final T20I in Lahore.
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy (February–March, Pakistan): Pakistan and Sri Lanka were drawn in the same group. Pakistan won the group-stage encounter by 6 wickets at National Stadium, Karachi, with Mohammad Rizwan (88*) anchoring the chase. Pakistan eventually reached the semi-finals.
- 2026 (January–February): Sri Lanka hosted Pakistan for a 2-Test, 3-ODI series as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. The first Test at Galle International Stadium ended in a thrilling draw, with Kamindu Mendis scoring 164 and Agha Salman replying with 132. The second Test at SSC Colombo was won by Sri Lanka by an innings and 42 runs, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 9/67 in the second innings. Sri Lanka won the Test series 1–0. The subsequent ODI series was won by Pakistan 2–1, with Fakhar Zaman smashing a century in the decider.
This most recent chapter shows a rivalry that remains fiercely competitive, with neither side able to establish prolonged dominance.
Complete Timeline
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | World Cup ODI, Old Trafford | Pakistan won by 192 runs | First-ever meeting between the two sides |
| 1981–82 | 3-Test series in Pakistan | Pakistan won 2–0 | Sri Lanka’s first Test series after gaining Test status |
| 1982 | Return Test series in Sri Lanka | Pakistan won 1–0 | Imran Khan’s pace dominated Lankan batsmen |
| 1985–86 | Test series in Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won 1–0 (1 draw) | First-ever Sri Lankan Test win vs Pakistan at SSC Colombo |
| 1986–87 | Austral-Asia Cup ODI, Sharjah | Pakistan won 2–1 series | Teenage Wasim Akram announced his arrival |
| 1989–90 | 3-Test series in Pakistan | Series drawn 0–0 | Arjuna Ranatunga scored maiden Test ton vs Pakistan |
| 1992 | World Cup group stage, Brisbane | Pakistan won by 4 wickets | Pakistan en route to 1992 World Cup title |
| 1996 | World Cup QF, Faisalabad | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets | Aravinda de Silva’s 145*; SL went on to win the World Cup |
| 1997 | 2-Test series in Sri Lanka | Series drawn 0–0 | Muralitharan took 16 wickets in the series |
| 1999–00 | Test series in Sri Lanka | Series drawn 1–1 | Marvan Atapattu scored 201 in Colombo |
| 2000 | 3-Test series in Pakistan | Pakistan won 2–0 | Muralitharan took 13 wickets but SL lost |
| 2002 | Asian Test Championship Final, Lahore | Pakistan won | ODI triangular final won by SL in Colombo |
| 2004 | Full tour of Pakistan (3 Tests, 5 ODIs) | Pakistan won Tests 2–0; SL won ODIs 3–2 | Dilshan and Tharanga shone in ODIs |
| 2006 | Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka | Tests drawn 1–1 | Mohammad Yousuf scored 3 centuries |
| 2007 | T20 World Cup group stage | Pakistan won by 33 runs | Shahid Afridi’s explosive cameo |
| 2009 | Lahore terror attack (March 3) | Series abandoned | Darkest day in SL-Pak cricket; 8 killed |
| 2010–11 | 2-Test series in UAE | Pakistan won 1–0 | Misbah-ul-Haq anchored Pakistan’s win |
| 2012 | 3-Test series in UAE | Series drawn 0–0 | Sangakkara’s 199 in Dubai |
| 2014 | T20 World Cup, Mirpur | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets | Jayasuriya’s captain’s knock; SL won the tournament |
| 2015 | Full tour of Sri Lanka | SL won ODIs 3–2 & T20Is 2–0; Pak won Tests 2–1 | Yasir Shah made Test debut with a 5-wicket haul |
| 2017 | Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka | Pakistan won ODIs 5–0 | Babar Azam’s first ODI century; SL whitewashed |
| 2019 | Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka | Pakistan won Tests 1–0 | Shaheen Afridi terrorised SL top order |
| 2020–21 | Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka | Pakistan won Tests 2–0 | Abid Ali scored back-to-back Test centuries |
| 2022 | Asia Cup (UAE) | Sri Lanka won the final by 23 runs | Rajapaksa’s last-ball six; SL won Asia Cup |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup group stage | Pakistan won by 6 wickets | Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten 52 |
| 2023 | Asia Cup & ODI World Cup | Split results; Pak won WC match by 6 wkts | Rizwan 77* in Hyderabad; SL won Asia Cup |
| 2024 | 2-Test series in Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won 2–0 | Prabath Jayasuriya took 17 wickets in the series |
| 2025 | SL tour of Pakistan (ODIs & T20Is) | Pak won ODIs 2–1; SL won T20Is 2–1 | Babar Azam 112; Nissanka 83 (44) |
| 2025 | ICC Champions Trophy group stage | Pakistan won by 6 wickets | Rizwan 88* in Karachi |
| 2026 | Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka (Tests & ODIs) | SL won Tests 1–0; Pak won ODIs 2–1 | Kamindu Mendis 164; Jayasuriya 9/67 |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Category | Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 | Pakistan 🇵🇰 | Drawn / No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Matches Played | 36 | 36 | — |
| Test Wins | 9 | 21 | 6 Draws |
| Test Win % | 25.0% | 58.3% | — |
| ODI Matches Played | 157 | 157 | — |
| ODI Wins | 59 | 93 | 5 NR/Tied |
| ODI Win % | 37.6% | 59.2% | — |
| T20I Matches Played | 24 | 24 | — |
| T20I Wins | 10 | 13 | 1 NR |
| T20I Win % | 41.7% | 54.2% | — |
| World Cup Meetings (ODI) | 3 wins | 5 wins | 1 NR |
| T20 World Cup Meetings | 2 wins | 3 wins | — |
| Asia Cup Meetings (Final) | 2 wins | 1 win | — |
| Highest Test Total | 669 (Colombo, 2014) | 624 (Lahore, 2004) | — |
| Highest ODI Total | 368 (2014) | 385 (2023) | — |
| Highest T20I Total | 206 (2022) | 209 (2022) | — |
Note: Statistics are approximate and updated through mid-2026. Exact figures may vary slightly by source.
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Batting Records
- Most Test runs in SL vs Pak history: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) with over 1,500 runs at an average above 50.
- Most ODI runs: Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pak) both crossed 1,400+ runs in this fixture.
- Highest individual Test score: Marvan Atapattu’s 201 (Colombo, 1999–00) for Sri Lanka; Younis Khan’s 313 is the highest by a Pakistani in this fixture (2009, though the match was affected by the Lahore attack context).
- Fastest ODI century: Shahid Afridi (Pak) – 37 balls vs SL.
- Most centuries: Mahela Jayawardene (SL) with 7 Test centuries vs Pakistan.
Individual Bowling Records
- Most Test wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) with 80+ wickets against Pakistan — the most by any bowler in this fixture.
- Best Test bowling figures: Muralitharan’s 9/51 in an innings (Colombo, 2000).
- Most ODI wickets: Wasim Akram (Pak) and Muralitharan (SL) both took 60+ ODI wickets in this matchup.
- Best T20I figures: Lasith Malinga’s 4/22 (2012).
Team Records & Trivia
- Biggest Test win (by innings): Sri Lanka won by an innings and 152 runs in Colombo (2000).
- Biggest ODI win (by runs): Pakistan won by 192 runs in the 1975 World Cup.
- Most consecutive wins: Pakistan won 5 consecutive ODIs in the 2017 whitewash.
- The 2009 Lahore attack remains the only instance in modern cricket where a Test series was abandoned due to a terrorist attack on a team.
- Prabath Jayasuriya’s 17 wickets in the 2024 Test series is the most by a Sri Lankan spinner in a bilateral series against Pakistan.
- Sri Lanka’s 2022 Asia Cup triumph featured two wins over Pakistan in the same tournament — a rare feat.
Interesting Facts
- Muralitharan took more wickets against Pakistan than against any other nation except India.
- Babar Azam has scored 5+ ODI centuries against Sri Lanka, the most by a Pakistani batsman in this fixture.
- The rivalry has been played across 12 different countries due to neutral-venue requirements post-2009.
FAQs
When did Sri Lanka and Pakistan first play each other in cricket? A: The first meeting was on June 7, 1975, in the Prudential World Cup at Old Trafford, Manchester. Pakistan won that ODI by 192 runs. The first Test series followed in 1981–82 after Sri Lanka gained Test status.
Who leads the head-to-head record between Sri Lanka and Pakistan? A: Pakistan leads in all three formats. In Tests, Pakistan has won approximately 21 of 36 matches. In ODIs, Pakistan has won around 93 of 157. In T20Is, Pakistan leads 13–10. However, Sri Lanka has pulled closer in recent years, especially in ICC tournaments.
What happened during the 2009 Lahore attack? A: On March 3, 2009, gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus in Lahore, killing 6 police officers and 2 civilians. Players like Thilan Samaraweera were injured. The Test series was abandoned, and Pakistan did not host international cricket for nearly six years.
Which player has the most wickets in Sri Lanka vs Pakistan matches? A: Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka holds the record with over 80 Test wickets and 60+ ODI wickets against Pakistan. He is the single most dominant bowler in the history of this rivalry.
When was Sri Lanka’s last Test series win against Pakistan? A: Sri Lanka’s most recent Test series win over Pakistan came in July–August 2024, when they won a 2-Test series 2–0 at home, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 17 wickets. Before that, their previous Test series win was in 2014.
How many times have Sri Lanka and Pakistan met in World Cup tournaments? A: The two teams have met 9 times in ODI World Cups and 5 times in T20 World Cups as of 2026. Pakistan leads the ODI World Cup head-to-head, while Sri Lanka has had notable T20 World Cup wins, including the 2014 encounter.
What is the most famous match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan? A: The 1996 World Cup quarter-final in Faisalabad is widely regarded as the most iconic encounter. Aravinda de Silva’s unbeaten 145 powered Sri Lanka to a 6-wicket win, en route to their maiden World Cup title. It remains a defining moment in Sri Lankan sporting history.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team timeline stretches over five decades of fierce competition, heartbreaking tragedy, and breathtaking brilliance. From Pakistan’s early dominance in the 1980s to Sri Lanka’s spin-fuelled resurgence in the 1990s and 2000s, from the shadow of the 2009 Lahore attack to the modern-day battles of Babar Azam, Prabath Jayasuriya, and Kamindu Mendis, this rivalry has never lost its edge.
As both teams continue to evolve through the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle and look ahead to future World Cups, one thing is certain: whenever Sri Lanka and Pakistan take the field, cricket fans are guaranteed drama, passion, and unforgettable moments. The next chapter of this storied rivalry is already being written.
