This longstanding cricket rivalry has given fans some unforgettable matches and players. Spanning 50+ years, fans have witnessed breathtaking chases, spin duel duels and momentum shifts – creating unforgettable matches and moments in time Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline.
Pakistan leads across formats with 136 wins to Sri Lanka’s 88 over 248 matches contested between them. Continue reading to discover more of their exhilarating rivalry!
| No. | Year | Format | Venue | Match Result | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996 | ODI (World Cup QF) | Colombo | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets | Sri Lanka knocked Pakistan out after a dramatic chase led by Jayasuriya |
| 2 | 2009 | T20 World Cup Final | Lord’s, England | Pakistan won by 8 wickets | Pakistan won their first T20 World Cup under Younis Khan |
| 3 | 2013 | ODI Series | UAE | Pakistan won series 3–1 | Strong bowling attack dominated Sri Lanka |
| 4 | 2014 | Test Series | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won 2–0 | Rangana Herath’s spin masterclass dominated Pakistan |
| 5 | 2015 | ODI Series | Sri Lanka | Pakistan won 3–2 | Close series with multiple last-over finishes |
| 6 | 2017 | ODI Series | UAE | Sri Lanka won 2–0 | Sri Lanka’s young squad surprised Pakistan |
| 7 | 2019 | Test Series | Pakistan | Pakistan won 1–0 | Home advantage and pace attack proved decisive |
| 8 | 2022 | Asia Cup (T20) Final | Dubai | Sri Lanka won by 23 runs | Sri Lanka’s comeback title win under Dasun Shanaka |
| 9 | 2023 | ODI World Cup | India | Pakistan won | High-scoring thriller featuring big batting chase |
| 10 | 2025 | T20 Tri-Series | Pakistan | Pakistan won final | Close final decided in last overs |
The 1990s
Pakistan flourished as an Asian cricket power in the 1990s, while Sri Lanka expanded their team with players like Arjuna Ranatunga.
Both sides delivered thrilling performances during this era – especially in Test matches. This period witnessed several unforgettable matches and performances on either side.
Pakistan began the decade with an overwhelming advantage due to their experienced squad and world-class bowling lineup, dominating most games but Sri Lanka slowly improved as players such as Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Sangakkara gradually helped win more Test matches and become serious rivals to Pakistan.
At its height, this rivalry produced some of the most thrilling and exhilarating matches ever seen between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, from 1996 World Cup quarterfinal upset to 2009 T20 World Cup final.
From Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq leading Pakistan while Sangakkara, Kumar De Silva, and Rangana Herath led Sri Lanka.
While Pakistan still maintains the upper hand against Sri Lanka in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is – yet has lost their grip over recent years – as both teams produce new generations of talent it will surely produce many exciting contests between now and then.
Modern-era games in this rivalry were highlighted by those played during ICC World Cup and Asia Cup tournaments, such as 1996 World Cup quarterfinal in Colombo being most noteworthy as it saw Sri Lanka chase down their target total and change Asian cricket’s power dynamic. Other memorable matches were 2023 ODI World Cup final, when Sri Lanka rallied from being 58-5 down to win by five wickets; 2014 Asia Cup final saw Lasith Malinga bowl an unforgettable bowling masterclass that propelled Sri Lanka home team victory; these classic encounters set an incredible standard that is sure to continue for future chapters of this epic rivalry!
The 1996 Cricket World Cup
The sixth Cricket World Cup (also referred to as Wills World Cup 1996) took place in Pakistan from February to March 1996 and Sri Lanka became the first Asian team ever to claim victory by emerging victorious.
The final was held on 17 March at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Australia and West Indies refused to play against Sri Lanka following the bombing of Central Bank of Colombo by Tamil Tigers in January; however, due to international rules the games were awarded on forfeit to Sri Lanka by ICC.
Both teams had equal chances to claim victory, but Sri Lanka ultimately emerged victorious following an exciting match.
There was some contention in the stands when sections of the crowd began throwing bottles and fruit onto the field; also a firework went off but didn’t stop play at any point during their performance.
Sri Lanka batted brilliantly in the final, led by Man of the Match Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana who scored 398 runs – an unprecedented score until April 2006. Their bowlers also performed admirably in early overs, taking five wickets while restricting opposition players to 117 runs or less.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan continue their ODI rivalry, which has produced some unforgettable matches such as 1996 World Cup quarterfinal upset and 2026 T20WC thriller. Pakistan leads across formats with 136 wins to Sri Lanka’s 88 victories over 248 encounters – featuring exciting chases and spin duels along the way.
The 2022 Asia Cup
Sri Lanka Cricket administers and runs their men’s national cricket team (ilankkai pirimi jathika crikat kandayama in Tamil), known as The Lions, internationally.
They have Test and One Day International status with International Cricket Council as full members, and is known as one of the best T20 sides worldwide.
In 1984, following the formation of the Asian Cricket Council a year earlier, India hosted and won its inaugural Asia Cup tournament by defeating Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the final match-up.
Since 2004, this competition has been hosted by six countries – Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Japan and Hong Kong. India has won nine titles with five runners-up finishes; Pakistan comes second with eight wins and three runners-up finishes.
At the 2010 Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka, only four top-ranked Test-playing nations were invited to compete. India and Sri Lanka led their respective groups and advanced to the final, where India defeated Sri Lanka easily to become champions for an unprecedented fifth time while Shahid Afridi was named player of the tournament.
Sri Lanka are one of the premier teams in ODI cricket, winning seven titles overall and finishing as runners-up three times.
They are well known for their aggressive style of cricket as well as aggressive bowling tactics; also boasting an exceptional batting lineup featuring several talented players; outstanding fielders; and having a robust bench strength.
After several dismal performances by its cricket board in recent times, Sri Lankan cricket came under severe fire from critics.
Many called for its resignation as many believed that it has failed to restore standards and reputation of cricket within Sri Lanka. Following these accusations, changes have been promised regarding cricket operations including running of national team squad.
| Year / Series | Sri Lanka Key Players | Pakistan Key Players | Format / Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Muttiah Muralitharan | Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar | ODI World Cup era rivalry |
| 2009 | Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga | Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Mohammad Amir | T20 World Cup Final |
| 2012–13 | Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne | Misbah-ul-Haq, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez | Bilateral ODIs/Tests |
| 2014–15 | Rangana Herath, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dilruwan Perera | Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Yasir Shah | Pakistan tour / Test dominance era |
| 2017 | Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal | Sarfraz Ahmed, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali | UAE ODI series |
| 2019 | Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Suranga Lakmal | Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan Test home series |
| 2023 | Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga | Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi | ODI World Cup era rivalry |
| 2025 (ODI series in Pakistan) | Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka | Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf | Pakistan won 3–0 ODI series |
| 2025 (T20 Tri-series) | Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana | Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah | Closely fought T20 series |
| 2026 (T20I tour SL vs PAK) | Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis | Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Saim Ayub | T20I bilateral series in Sri Lanka (Wikipedia) |
The Test rivalry
Pakistan-Sri Lanka rivalry is one of the fiercest and storied in cricket history, pitting both teams against each other to determine supremacy.
Over two thousand Test matches have been played between these rivals with only India-England and Australia-India boasting better win/loss records. Pakistan-Sri Lanka contests have provided some unforgettable contests involving dramatic comebacks and nailbiting finishes!
Sri Lanka and Pakistan have vied for dominance as world champions for decades, both teams being widely known for their aggressive styles of play.
Both nations also competed to gain T20 dominance; both won at least once world title during that era – the Sri Lankans being known for their flair while Pakistanis for their formidable batting and bowling abilities.
Both teams have produced some of the greatest players in cricket history, and their clashes often produce breathtaking innings and remarkable chases.
Arjuna Ranatunga led Sri Lankan team that may have been its finest ever side – featuring legendary all-rounders Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva and having one of history’s premier spin bowlers in Muthiah Muralidaran as part of their ranks.
Cricket matches between these two sides typically create some of the most intense atmospheres, with passionate supporters cheering their side while loudly criticizing their opponent.
Although their rivalry may be fierce, both sides maintain respect for one another and have never used physical force against each other.
In T20 and ODI cricket, Sri Lanka and Pakistan continue their long-standing rivalry Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline.
For years they’ve battled it out as two competitive sides in world cricket; both teams have recently produced strong performances at major tournaments. Sri Lanka has won two ICC Champions Trophy titles, while Pakistan are reigning T20 World Cup champions (2026 T20 World Cup winner).
Later this year they’ll meet again for three ODI matches; the first one will take place in Dubai, with subsequent matches scheduled in Karachi and Rawalpindi.
| Match No. | Date | Format | Venue | Sri Lanka Team | Pakistan Team | Result | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last Match | 2025 (recent bilateral/T20-ODI series) | ODI / T20I | Pakistan / Neutral venue | Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka | Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf | Pakistan won series (dominant in ODIs) / closely contested T20s | Babar Azam (bat), Shaheen Afridi (ball) |
