Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline

Team Timeline

July 7, 2025

Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline

Cricket is more than just a sport in Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline—it’s a passion that unites millions. The rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the West Indies Cricket Team, fondly known as the Windies, spans decades, filled with thrilling matches, unforgettable moments, and mutual respect. From high-scoring Test matches in the 1950s to intense T20 clashes in recent years, their encounters have given fans plenty to cheer about. In this article, we’ll walk through the timeline of their cricketing battles, highlighting key series, standout performances, and what makes this rivalry so special. Plus, we’ve included a detailed table summarizing their head-to-head encounters for easy reference.

The Early Days: 1950s Beginnings

The story of Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline began in the late 1950s, when Pakistan was still a young Test-playing nation. Their first Test series took place in 1957–58, when Pakistan toured the West Indies for a five-match Test series. It was a challenging tour for Pakistan, as the West Indies, with their fiery pace bowlers and stylish batsmen, were a dominant force.

The series was a spectacle of high-scoring cricket. In the first Test at Bridgetown, Barbados, Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad played a marathon innings, scoring 337 runs in 970 minutes—an epic effort that remains one of the longest innings in Test history. Despite this, the West Indies won the match, thanks to their strong batting led by Garfield Sobers, who scored a then-world-record 365 not out in the third Test at Kingston, Jamaica. The West Indies took the series 3–1, but Pakistan showed their grit by winning the final Test by an innings and 1 run. This series set the tone for a rivalry filled with individual brilliance and competitive spirit.

In 1959, the West Indies toured Pakistan for a three-match Test series. Pakistan turned the tables, winning the series 2–1. The first Test in Karachi saw Pakistan secure a 10-wicket victory, with Fazal Mahmood’s fiery bowling dismantling the West Indies batting. This series marked Pakistan’s growing confidence as a Test-playing nation and showed they could challenge the mighty Windies.

The 1970s: A Balanced Battle

The 1970s saw both teams evolve. The West Indies, under Clive Lloyd’s leadership, were building a fearsome team with players like Viv Richards and Andy Roberts. Pakistan, led by players like Mushtaq Mohammad and Imran Khan, were becoming a force to reckon with, especially at home.

In 1975, Pakistan hosted the West Indies for a two-match Test series. Both matches ended in draws, but they were high-scoring affairs. In Lahore, Pakistan posted 406/8, with Majid Khan and Wasim Raja shining, while the West Indies responded with 493, led by Gordon Greenidge. The series showcased the batting depth of both sides, with spinners and pacers keeping things competitive.

The 1977 tour of the West Indies by Pakistan was a five-match Test series that became a classic. The West Indies won 2–1, but Pakistan fought hard. In the fourth Test at Port of Spain, Trinidad, Pakistan secured a 266-run victory, with Imran Khan and Wasim Raja starring. The series was a testament to the growing parity between the two sides, with thrilling contests and moments of brilliance, like Viv Richards’ aggressive batting and Imran Khan’s fiery bowling.

The 1980s and 1990s: The West Indies’ Golden Era

The 1980s were the golden age of West Indies cricket, with a team boasting legends like Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, and Desmond Haynes. Pakistan, however, had their own stars, including Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, and Abdul Qadir, making their encounters intense.

In 1980–81, Pakistan toured the West Indies for a four-match Test series, which ended in a 1–1 draw. The series was marked by tight contests, with Pakistan’s spinners, led by Qadir, challenging the West Indies’ batsmen. The 1986–87 series in Pakistan saw the West Indies dominate, winning 2–0. Their pace attack, featuring Courtney Walsh and Patrick Patterson, was relentless, but Pakistan’s batsmen, like Miandad, showed resilience.

The 1990s saw Pakistan assert dominance at home. In 1990–91, Pakistan won a three-match Test series 2–1, with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis’ swing bowling proving too much for the West Indies. The 1997–98 series was a clean sweep for Pakistan, winning 3–0 at home. At Rawalpindi, Pakistan secured an innings-and-29-run victory, with Mushtaq Ahmed’s spin bowling and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s batting leading the way. This series marked Pakistan’s first Test series win over the West Indies in 39 years, a historic moment celebrated by fans across the country.

The 2000s: A New Format and Shifting Dynamics

The 2000s brought new formats—One Day Internationals (ODIs) and later T20 Internationals (T20Is)—adding fresh excitement to the rivalry. The West Indies toured Pakistan in 2006 for a three-match Test series, which Pakistan won 2–0. The series saw Umar Gul’s fiery pace and Mohammad Yousuf’s elegant batting overpower the West Indies. In ODIs, both teams traded blows, with Pakistan often having the upper hand at home.

A tragic event marked the 2007 Cricket World Cup in Jamaica, where Pakistan’s coach Bob Woolmer passed away after Pakistan’s shock defeat to Ireland. The West Indies, hosting the tournament, also faced challenges, but their encounters with Pakistan remained competitive. In the 2011 World Cup quarter-final, Pakistan defeated the West Indies by 10 wickets, with Shahid Afridi’s spin bowling dismantling the Windies’ batting.

The 2011 Test series in the West Indies was a tight affair, with both teams winning one match each. Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal and the West Indies’ Kemar Roach were standout performers. The series showed how evenly matched the two sides had become in Test cricket.

The 2010s: Pakistan’s Dominance in the UAE

From 2011 to 2016, Pakistan played their “home” matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to security concerns in Pakistan. The West Indies toured the UAE in 2016 for a full series of T20Is, ODIs, and Tests. Pakistan dominated, winning the T20I series 3–0, the ODI series 3–0, and the Test series 2–1. Yasir Shah’s leg-spin and Babar Azam’s emerging batting talent were too much for the West Indies, though Jason Holder’s leadership showed promise for the visitors.

In 2017, Pakistan toured the West Indies for another closely fought Test series. The West Indies won the first Test by 40 runs, but Pakistan bounced back to win the series 2–1, with Younis Khan’s batting and Mohammad Amir’s bowling proving decisive. This series highlighted the West Indies’ resilience, even as Pakistan maintained their edge.

The 2020s: A Modern Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry

The 2020s have seen the rivalry continue with a mix of formats. In 2021, Pakistan toured the West Indies for a two-match Test series, which ended 1–1. Shaheen Afridi’s fiery bowling and Kraigg Brathwaite’s gritty batting were highlights. The T20I series was affected by rain, but Pakistan won the lone completed match.

In 2025, the West Indies toured Pakistan for a two-match Test series in Multan, part of the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship. The first Test saw Pakistan win by 127 runs, with Noman Ali’s historic hat-trick—the first by a Pakistani spinner in Tests—stealing the show. The second Test was a triumph for the West Indies, who won by 120 runs, their first Test win in Pakistan in 34 years. Jomel Warrican’s 5–27 and Kevin Sinclair’s spin bowling exposed Pakistan’s struggles against spin, leveling the series 1–1.

The 2025 series also included a three-match T20I series in Florida and a three-match ODI series in Trinidad, showcasing the rivalry’s global reach. These matches, scheduled for July and August 2025, promise more excitement as both teams field young talents alongside experienced players like Babar Azam and Kraigg Brathwaite.

What Makes This Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry Special?

The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline rivalry is special because it blends contrasting styles—Pakistan’s crafty spinners and elegant batsmen against the West Indies’ raw pace and flamboyant strokeplay. Both teams come from passionate cricket-loving regions, where the sport is a cultural cornerstone. The mutual respect between players, seen in moments like Imran Khan praising Viv Richards or Kraigg Brathwaite acknowledging Pakistan’s spinners, adds warmth to the competition.

Fans have been treated to iconic performances—Hanif Mohammad’s 337, Sobers’ 365*, and more recently, Noman Ali’s hat-trick and Warrican’s five-wicket haul. The rivalry has also evolved with cricket’s formats, from marathon Test matches to fast-paced T20Is, keeping it fresh and exciting.

Head-to-Head Table: Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline (1957–2025)

Below is a comprehensive table summarizing the head-to-head record between Pakistan and the West Indies across all formats, based on available data up to July 2025.

Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline Head-to-Head Record (1957–2025)

Format

Matches Played

Pakistan Wins

West Indies Wins

Draws/Ties/No Result

Notable Series/Matches

Test

54 21 18 15

1957–58 (WI 3–1), 1997–98 (Pak 3–0), 2025 (1–1)

ODI

137 71 60

6 (3 ties, 3 no result)

2011 World Cup QF (Pak won by 10 wickets)

T20I

18 14 3

1 (no result)

2016 UAE (Pak 3–0), 2021 WI (Pak 1–0)

Total

209 106 81 22

Key Notes:

  • Test Cricket: The Test rivalry began in 1957–58, with the West Indies dominating early. Pakistan’s 1997–98 series win (3–0) was a historic milestone. The 2025 series in Multan saw both teams win one Test each, with Noman Ali’s hat-trick and Jomel Warrican’s five-wicket haul as highlights.

  • ODI Cricket: Pakistan has a slight edge in ODIs, with memorable wins like the 2011 World Cup quarter-final. The West Indies have had their moments, especially in the 1980s.

  • T20I Cricket: Pakistan has dominated recent T20Is, particularly in the UAE in 2016. The 2025 T20I series in Florida is upcoming.

  • Data Source: Compiled from ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and PCB records up to July 2025.

Recent Trends and Future Outlook

As of July 2025, both teams are in a transitional phase. Pakistan, led by Shan Masood, relies on a strong spin attack with Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, but their batting has shown vulnerabilities against spin, as seen in the 2025 series. The West Indies, under Kraigg Brathwaite and new head coach Daren Sammy, are rebuilding with young talents like Jayden Seales and Gudakesh Motie, while veterans like Kemar Roach provide stability.

The upcoming T20I and ODI series in July–August 2025, to be played in the USA and Trinidad, will test both teams’ white-ball skills. Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will face off against the West Indies’ explosive T20 stars like Nicholas Pooran. These matches will be crucial for both teams as they prepare for global tournaments like the Champions Trophy.

Why This Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry Matters

For fans, the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline rivalry is a celebration of cricket’s diversity. From the dusty pitches of Karachi to the lively stadiums of Bridgetown, these matches have produced moments that live on in cricket folklore. Whether it’s a spinner outfoxing a batsman or a fast bowler sending stumps flying, this rivalry has it all.

As a young fan, you might cheer for Babar Azam’s cover drives or Shai Hope’s elegant strokeplay. As an older fan, you might reminisce about Imran Khan’s duels with Viv Richards. No matter your age, this rivalry offers something to love—a blend of history, drama, and the sheer joy of cricket.

Conclusion

The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline is a rich tapestry of epic battles, iconic performances, and mutual admiration. From Hanif Mohammad’s 337 to Jomel Warrican’s heroics in 2025, this rivalry has given cricket fans countless memories. As both teams look ahead to their 2025 white-ball series, the stage is set for more thrilling chapters in this storied contest. Whether you’re new to cricket or a lifelong fan, the Pakistan-West Indies rivalry is a reminder of why we love this game—because it brings people together, one match at a time.

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