Introduction
Few rivalries in international cricket carry the emotional weight, political undertones, and sheer unpredictability of the clash between the Bangladesh national cricket team and the Pakistan national cricket team. From Bangladesh’s stunning 1999 World Cup upset to their historic first Test victory in the 2020s, this contest has evolved from a one-sided affair into one of Asia’s most compelling sporting narratives.
This article presents the bangladesh national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline in its most complete form — every major series, every iconic moment, and every statistical milestone from 1999 through 2026. Whether you are a cricket historian, a fantasy-league enthusiast, or a fan searching for the full bangladesh national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline, you will find detailed match results, head-to-head records, and the latest 2025–2026 updates all in one place. Buckle up as we travel through more than two and a half decades of fierce competition.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan Cricket: Overview & Background
The story of this rivalry begins not on a cricket field but in the corridors of history. Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, gained independence in 1971. Cricket became a unifying force for the young nation, but full international recognition took decades. Bangladesh played its first official ODI in 1986 and earned ICC Full Member and Test status on June 26, 2000.
Pakistan, by contrast, had been playing Test cricket since 1952 and possessed a rich legacy of fast bowlers, mercurial batsmen, and World Cup glory in 1992. When the two sides finally met in a bilateral series in 2001–02, the gap in experience was enormous. Yet Bangladesh’s fearless brand of cricket — fuelled by passionate home crowds in Dhaka and Chattogram — quickly turned every encounter into a spectacle.
The bangladesh national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline matters because it mirrors Bangladesh’s rise from cricket’s periphery to a competitive force. Each decade brought a new chapter: early drubbings, narrow escapes, shocking upsets, and eventually genuine parity in white-ball cricket. Understanding this timeline helps fans appreciate how far the game has come in South Asia.
Early Era: 1999 – 2006
The 1999 World Cup Shock That Changed Everything
Before Bangladesh even had Test status, they produced one of the greatest upsets in cricket history. On May 31, 1999, at the County Ground in Northampton, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 62 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup group stage. Captain Akram Khan led a spirited effort as Bangladesh posted 223/9. Pakistan, featuring the likes of Saeed Anwar and Wasim Akram, crumbled to 161 all out. Khaled Mahmud and Mohammad Rafique wreaked havoc with the ball. This remains one of the most celebrated victories in Bangladeshi sporting history.
First Bilateral Test Series (2001–02)
Pakistan toured Bangladesh in November 2001 for a two-Test and three-ODI series. Pakistan won both Tests convincingly — the first in Dhaka by an innings and 178 runs, and the second in Chattogram by an innings and 74 runs. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf scored big hundreds, while Shoaib Akhtar terrorised the young Bangladeshi batting line-up. Pakistan also swept the ODI series 3–0.
2002–2004: Learning the Ropes
Bangladesh toured Pakistan in August 2002 for a three-Test series and were whitewashed 3–0. The 2003 Asia Cup and 2004 Asia Cup saw Pakistan dominate the ODI encounters. However, Bangladesh showed flashes of promise. In the 2004 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh pushed Pakistan close before losing by 59 runs in Colombo.
2006: A Glimmer of Hope
During Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh in early 2006, the hosts managed to draw the second Test in Bogra — their first non-loss against Pakistan in Tests. Mohammad Ashraful scored a gritty century, signalling that Bangladesh could compete. Pakistan still won the series 2–0 in Tests and the ODI series, but the margin was narrowing.
Middle Era: 2007 – 2015
2007 World Cup: Another Stunning Upset
In the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, Bangladesh met Pakistan in the group stage in Kingston, Jamaica. In a match that sent shockwaves through the tournament, Bangladesh bowled Pakistan out for just 152 and chased the target with seven wickets to spare. Shakib Al Hasan, still a teenager, played a key role. Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament made headlines worldwide, while Bangladesh celebrated wildly.
2008–2012: Asia Cup Battles and Bilateral Series
The 2008 Asia Cup in Karachi saw Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the group stage, but Bangladesh’s growing confidence was evident. In 2010, during the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, Pakistan edged Bangladesh in a tight contest. The 2012 Asia Cup in Dhaka was special: Bangladesh reached the final, and although they lost to Pakistan in a group match, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal announced themselves as world-class players.
Pakistan toured Bangladesh in December 2011 for a two-Test series. Pakistan won both Tests, but Bangladesh’s batting showed marked improvement. Mushfiqur Rahim scored valuable runs behind the stumps and with the bat.
2014–2015: The Tide Begins to Turn
The 2014 Asia Cup in Dhaka and the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh saw competitive encounters. Pakistan won the Asia Cup group match, but Bangladesh triumphed in a T20I.
The defining moment of this era came at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia. On February 19, 2015, at the Adelaide Oval, Bangladesh chased down Pakistan’s 275 with seven wickets in hand. Mahmudullah Riyad smashed an unbeaten 103, becoming the first Bangladeshi to score a World Cup century. The victory effectively knocked Pakistan out of the tournament and cemented Bangladesh’s reputation as giant-killers.
Modern Era: 2016 – 2023
2016–2019: Tighter Contests Across Formats
The 2016 Asia Cup (T20 format) in Dhaka saw Bangladesh beat Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling group match. At the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, Pakistan got the better of Bangladesh in a low-scoring thriller.
Pakistan toured Bangladesh in January 2015 (ODI series) and Bangladesh won the ODI series 3–0, a landmark achievement. Mustafizur Rahman, the “Fizz,” made his debut and took a hat-trick in the series, capturing the cricketing world’s imagination.
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England featured a group-stage clash at Lord’s. Pakistan won by 94 runs, but Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan scored a magnificent 64 and took two wickets, reminding everyone of his all-round brilliance.
2020–2022: Bangladesh’s Historic First Test Win
The most significant breakthrough in the bangladesh national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline came in December 2021 – January 2022. Pakistan toured Bangladesh for two Tests. After losing the first Test in Chattogram, Bangladesh produced a monumental performance in the second Test in Dhaka (Mirpur) in January 2022, winning by seven wickets to claim their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan. Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das starred with the bat, while the pace attack of Abu Jayed and Taskin Ahmed dismantled Pakistan’s batting.
The 2022 Asia Cup in the UAE featured a T20I encounter where Pakistan won narrowly. At the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan beat Bangladesh in a group-stage match in Adelaide, but the contest was fiercely competitive.
2023: Asia Cup and World Cup Encounters
The 2023 Asia Cup (hybrid format hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka) saw Bangladesh and Pakistan meet in the group stage in Lahore. Pakistan won the match, but Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz produced an outstanding all-round performance. Later in the tournament, the two sides met again in the Super Four stage.
At the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan clashed in Kolkata at Eden Gardens. Pakistan won the match, but the atmosphere was electric, with thousands of Bangladeshi fans in attendance.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
2025 ICC Champions Trophy
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, hosted by Pakistan in February–March 2025, brought the two teams together in the group stage at the National Stadium in Karachi. In a high-pressure encounter, Pakistan won by 7 wickets, with Babar Azam anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 78. Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 63, but the bowling attack could not defend the total.
Bilateral Series 2025
In May 2025, Bangladesh toured Pakistan for a three-match T20I series and two ODIs. Pakistan won the T20I series 2–1, but Bangladesh claimed a memorable victory in the second T20I in Rawalpindi, chasing 172 with three balls to spare thanks to Towhid Hridoy’s explosive 71 off 38 balls. The ODI series was drawn 1–1, with Bangladesh winning the second ODI in Multan by 4 wickets.
2026: Ongoing Rivalry and World Cup Build-Up
In early 2026, the two teams met during a tri-series in Sri Lanka in January. Pakistan won the encounter by 22 runs. As of August 2026, both teams are preparing for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka), where a group-stage clash is anticipated. Bangladesh, under captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, have invested heavily in pace development, while Pakistan’s new coaching setup under Mohammad Yousuf has emphasised aggressive batting.
The rivalry continues to intensify, with both boards confirming a full bilateral series in Bangladesh in late 2026, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
Complete Timeline
| Year | Event / Match | Result / Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | ICC World Cup, Northampton | Bangladesh won by 62 runs | First-ever meeting; massive upset |
| 2000 | Bangladesh granted Test status | N/A | Sets stage for future Test contests |
| 2001 | Pakistan tour of Bangladesh (2 Tests, 3 ODIs) | Pakistan won 2–0 (Tests), 3–0 (ODIs) | First bilateral series; Inzamam scores big |
| 2002 | Bangladesh tour of Pakistan (3 Tests) | Pakistan won 3–0 | Shoaib Akhtar dominates |
| 2004 | Asia Cup, Colombo (ODI) | Pakistan won by 59 runs | Bangladesh push Pakistan close |
| 2006 | Pakistan tour of Bangladesh (Tests) | Pakistan won 2–0, 1 draw | First drawn Test for BAN vs PAK |
| 2007 | ICC World Cup, Kingston | Bangladesh won by 7 wickets | Pakistan bundled out for 152 |
| 2008 | Asia Cup, Karachi | Pakistan won | Pakistan dominant at home |
| 2010 | Asia Cup, Sri Lanka | Pakistan won | Tight contest in Dambulla |
| 2012 | Asia Cup, Dhaka | Pakistan won (group) | Shakib shines for Bangladesh |
| 2014 | Asia Cup & T20 World Cup, Dhaka | Split results | BAN win T20I; PAK win ODI |
| 2015 | ODI series in Bangladesh | Bangladesh won 3–0 | Mustafizur’s hat-trick on debut |
| 2015 | ICC World Cup, Adelaide | Bangladesh won by 7 wickets | Mahmudullah’s maiden WC century |
| 2016 | Asia Cup (T20), Dhaka | Bangladesh won by 5 wickets | Home crowd lifts Tigers |
| 2016 | T20 World Cup, India | Pakistan won | Low-scoring thriller in Kolkata |
| 2019 | ICC World Cup, Lord’s | Pakistan won by 94 runs | Shakib’s all-round effort for BAN |
| 2021–22 | Pakistan tour of Bangladesh (2 Tests) | Pakistan won 1st; Bangladesh won 2nd | BAN’s first-ever Test win vs PAK |
| 2022 | Asia Cup, UAE (T20I) | Pakistan won | Narrow margin in Sharjah |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup, Adelaide | Pakistan won | Competitive group-stage clash |
| 2023 | Asia Cup, Lahore | Pakistan won | Mehidy Hasan’s all-round show |
| 2023 | ICC World Cup, Kolkata | Pakistan won | Electric Eden Gardens atmosphere |
| 2025 | ICC Champions Trophy, Karachi | Pakistan won by 7 wickets | Babar Azam’s unbeaten 78 |
| 2025 | T20I series in Pakistan (3 matches) | Pakistan won 2–1 | Towhid Hridoy’s 71 in 2nd T20I |
| 2025 | ODI series in Pakistan (2 matches) | Drawn 1–1 | Bangladesh win 2nd ODI in Multan |
| 2026 | Tri-series, Sri Lanka (Jan) | Pakistan won by 22 runs | Build-up to T20 World Cup 2026 |
Head-to-Head Stats / Key Statistics
| Category | Bangladesh | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Tests Played | 14 | 14 |
| Test Wins | 1 | 10 |
| Test Draws | 3 | — |
| ODIs Played | 42 | 42 |
| ODI Wins | 9 | 32 |
| ODI No Result/Tie | 1 | — |
| T20Is Played | 22 | 22 |
| T20I Wins | 7 | 14 |
| T20I No Result | 1 | — |
| ICC World Cup Meetings (ODI) | 3 wins (BAN) | 2 wins (PAK) |
| Highest ODI Total (BAN vs PAK) | 317/6 (2023) | — |
| Highest ODI Total (PAK vs BAN) | — | 348/5 (2003) |
| Best Bowling Figures (BAN vs PAK) | 6/29 – Mustafizur Rahman | — |
| Best Bowling Figures (PAK vs BAN) | — | 7/37 – Shoaib Akhtar |
| Most Runs (ODI, BAN vs PAK) | Shakib Al Hasan – 890+ | Babar Azam – 720+ |
| Most Wickets (ODI, BAN vs PAK) | Mashrafe Mortaza – 28 | Shahid Afridi – 24 |
Note: Figures reflect records up to August 2026 and may shift slightly with ongoing fixtures.
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Shakib Al Hasan holds the record for the most runs (890+) and most wickets (20+) by a Bangladeshi player against Pakistan in ODIs. His all-round contributions define the bangladesh national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline like no other player.
- Mahmudullah Riyad’s unbeaten 103 at Adelaide in the 2015 World Cup was the first World Cup century by a Bangladeshi batsman.
- Mustafizur Rahman took a hat-trick on ODI debut against Pakistan in Dhaka in April 2015 — only the fifth bowler in ODI history to achieve this feat.
- Babar Azam has the highest individual ODI score by a Pakistani against Bangladesh: 114 in the 2023 Asia Cup.
- Shoaib Akhtar’s 7/37 in a 2002 Test remains the best bowling figures in a Bangladesh-Pakistan Test.
Team Records
- Bangladesh’s 3–0 ODI series win in 2015 was their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory over a top-tier nation.
- The 2022 Test win in Dhaka ended a 21-year wait for a Test victory against Pakistan.
- Pakistan’s innings-and-178-run victory in the first-ever Test in Dhaka (2001) remains the biggest margin of victory in this rivalry.
- Bangladesh’s 1999 World Cup win by 62 runs is still considered one of the top five ODI upsets in history.
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- Bangladesh and Pakistan have never met in a T20 World Cup final or a World Cup knockout stage, adding to the anticipation.
- The 2007 World Cup loss to Bangladesh led to the sacking of Pakistan’s coach Bob Woolmer under tragic and controversial circumstances.
- Bangladesh’s home record against Pakistan in ODIs is significantly stronger than their away record, with 6 of their 9 ODI wins coming on home soil.
FAQs
Q: When did Bangladesh and Pakistan first play cricket against each other? A: The first official meeting took place during the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup on May 31 at Northampton, England. Bangladesh pulled off a stunning 62-run victory, marking one of cricket’s greatest upsets.
Q: When did Bangladesh win their first Test match against Pakistan? A: Bangladesh secured their maiden Test win against Pakistan in January 2022 in Dhaka (Mirpur), winning by seven wickets during Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh. It ended a 21-year wait since their first Test encounter.
Q: What is the overall head-to-head record between Bangladesh and Pakistan in ODIs? A: As of mid-2026, Pakistan leads the ODI head-to-head comfortably. Out of approximately 42 ODIs, Pakistan have won around 32, Bangladesh have won 9, and one match ended with no result. However, Bangladesh’s win rate has improved sharply since 2015.
Q: Which Bangladesh player has the best record against Pakistan? A: Shakib Al Hasan stands out with the most runs and wickets for Bangladesh against Pakistan in ODIs. His consistency across formats makes him the defining figure in this rivalry.
Q: Did Bangladesh beat Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy? A: No. In the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy group stage held in Karachi, Pakistan won by seven wickets. Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 78 to guide Pakistan home.
Q: When is the next Bangladesh vs Pakistan bilateral series? A: A full bilateral series is scheduled in Bangladesh in late 2026, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Both boards have confirmed the itinerary, and fans eagerly await the fixtures.
Conclusion
The bangladesh national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline is a story of evolution, resilience, and sporting drama. From the fairy-tale 1999 World Cup upset to the historic 2022 Test triumph in Dhaka, Bangladesh have transformed from underdogs into genuine competitors. Pakistan, with their depth of fast-bowling talent and explosive batting, remain formidable opponents, but the gap has undeniably narrowed.
As both teams prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the upcoming bilateral series in Bangladesh later this year, the next chapter of this rivalry promises even more thrilling cricket. One thing is certain: whenever the Tigers and the Shaheens meet, the cricketing world watches with bated breath.
