Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Records

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka is one of Asian cricket’s longest-running international rivalries. The two teams have played each other across Tests, ODIs, T20Is, Asia Cups, World Cups and bilateral series for more than four decades. Pakistan currently lead the overall head-to-head in all three formats, but Sri Lanka have won several of the rivalry’s biggest tournament matches, including Asia Cup finals. The fixture also carries historical importance beyond results because Sri Lanka’s 2009 tour was interrupted by the Lahore attack, while their return in 2019 became an important step in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. Through October 2026, Pakistan lead 23-17 in Tests, 96-59 in ODIs and 18-12 in T20Is.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Record

Pakistan’s strongest advantage comes in ODI cricket, where they have won 96 of the 160 official meetings. The Test rivalry has produced a large number of draws, including several high-scoring matches, while the T20I contest has been much closer.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test Record

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played 59 Tests.

Pakistan lead 23-17, with 19 matches drawn.

Their first Test came in 1982, when Pakistan won by 204 runs. The rivalry later developed into a regular contest, particularly during the 1990s and 2000s.

One of the most extraordinary matches came in Karachi in 2009.

Sri Lanka scored 644/7 declared before Pakistan replied with 765/6 declared. Younis Khan made 313, one of the highest individual Test scores in Pakistan cricket history.

Pakistan’s 765/6 remains their highest Test innings against Sri Lanka.

The teams’ most recent Test series came in Sri Lanka in 2023, where Pakistan won both matches and completed a 2-0 series victory.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Record

ODIs have formed the biggest part of this rivalry.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played 160 ODIs, with Pakistan winning 96 and Sri Lanka 59. One match ended tied and four produced no result.

Pakistan’s historical strength in this matchup has been built around world-class fast bowling and a deep middle order.

Sri Lanka have answered with several legendary batters and spinners, including Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan.

The highest individual ODI score in the rivalry is Mohammad Hafeez’s unbeaten 140 for Pakistan. Sri Lanka’s highest is Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 137 not out.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Record

Pakistan also lead the T20I head-to-head.

The two teams have played 30 official T20Is through February 2026, with Pakistan winning 18 and Sri Lanka 12.

The rivalry includes the 2009 T20 World Cup final, where Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets at Lord’s.

Sri Lanka later gained revenge in major tournament cricket, including the 2012 T20 World Cup and the 2022 Asia Cup final.

The T20I balance remains closer than the ODI record because both teams have had strong spin attacks and explosive middle-order batters suited to the format.

The 1996 World Cup and Pakistan-Sri Lanka Connection

Pakistan and Sri Lanka did not play each other directly during the 1996 World Cup.

However, the tournament still holds an important place in the shared history of the two countries.

Pakistan was one of the co-hosts, while Sri Lanka went on to win their first ODI World Cup title.

Sri Lanka defeated India in the semifinal before facing Australia in the final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Aravinda de Silva scored an unbeaten century as Sri Lanka chased 242 and became world champions.

Pakistan, meanwhile, were eliminated by India in the quarterfinal in Bengaluru.

The tournament strengthened Sri Lanka’s status as a major ODI force and also connected one of their greatest cricketing achievements directly with Pakistan through the Lahore final.

2009 Lahore Attack

The darkest chapter in the rivalry came on March 3, 2009.

Sri Lanka were touring Pakistan for a Test series when gunmen attacked the team bus near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore as the players travelled to the third day of the second Test.

Several Sri Lankan players and officials were injured, while six Pakistani police officers and two civilians were killed.

The tour was abandoned immediately.

The consequences for Pakistan cricket were enormous.

Major international teams stopped touring Pakistan for years, forcing Pakistan to play most of their home matches in the United Arab Emirates.

The attack therefore affected not only Pakistan-Sri Lanka cricket but the structure of Pakistan’s international calendar for much of the following decade.

Sri Lanka’s Return to Pakistan in 2019

Sri Lanka played a major role in the return of international cricket to Pakistan.

In September and October 2019, Sri Lanka toured for three ODIs and three T20Is.

Pakistan won the ODI series after the opening match was abandoned. They won the second ODI by 67 runs and the third by five wickets. Babar Azam scored 146 runs across the two completed ODIs and was named Player of the Series.

Sri Lanka then produced a major surprise in Lahore by sweeping the T20I series 3-0.

Later that year, Sri Lanka returned for two Tests.

The Rawalpindi Test was drawn, while Pakistan won the Karachi Test by 263 runs. These matches marked the return of Test cricket to Pakistan after a decade.

The tour was therefore much more significant than an ordinary bilateral series.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup

Sri Lanka have had the stronger Asia Cup record against Pakistan.

Through the 2025 edition, the teams had met 19 times in the Asia Cup, with Sri Lanka winning 13 and Pakistan six.

Their tournament history includes several finals.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the 1986 final.

Pakistan won the 2000 final by 39 runs.

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan again in the 2014 final by five wickets.

The 2022 final also went Sri Lanka’s way. Sri Lanka recovered from early trouble to score 170/6 before bowling Pakistan out for 147, winning by 23 runs.

The teams met again in the 2023 Super Four stage, where Sri Lanka won by two wickets under the DLS method in a dramatic last-over finish.

Pakistan finally gained another Asia Cup victory over Sri Lanka in the 2025 Super Four, winning by five wickets.

2023 ODI World Cup Meeting in Hyderabad

Pakistan and Sri Lanka produced one of the best matches of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Sri Lanka scored 344/9 in Hyderabad.

Kusal Mendis smashed 122 from 77 balls, while Sadeera Samarawickrama made 108.

Pakistan then slipped to 37/2.

Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique changed the game completely.

Shafique scored 113 from 103 balls, while Rizwan battled cramps and remained unbeaten on 131 from 121.

Pakistan reached 345/4 in 48.2 overs and won by six wickets.

At the time, it was the highest successful chase in Men’s ODI World Cup history.

Rizwan’s 131 not out remains his highest ODI score.

Javed Miandad vs Sri Lanka

Javed Miandad was one of Pakistan’s most dependable middle-order batters against Sri Lanka during the 1980s and early 1990s.

His ability to control run chases and bat against spin made him particularly effective in Asian conditions.

Miandad played a major role during the period when Pakistan built a strong ODI advantage over Sri Lanka.

He was especially important in pressure situations because he could rotate strike against spin and accelerate late without taking unnecessary risks.

His record against Sri Lanka contributed to a career in which he became one of Pakistan’s most successful ODI batters.

Saeed Anwar vs Sri Lanka

Saeed Anwar produced several major innings against Sri Lanka.

He regularly faced an attack containing Chaminda Vaas and Muralitharan and was particularly dangerous during the powerplay.

One of Pakistan’s biggest ODI partnerships in the rivalry came when Anwar and Ramiz Raja added 204 for the first wicket in Sharjah in 1993.

Anwar’s elegant stroke play against both pace and spin made him one of Pakistan’s key top-order players during the 1990s.

Babar Azam vs Sri Lanka

Babar Azam has an outstanding modern record against Sri Lanka.

Through his first 14 ODIs against them, Babar scored 690 runs at an average of 62.73, including four centuries.

His highest ODI score against Sri Lanka is 115.

He has also been highly successful in Tests, scoring 648 runs in eight matches at an average of 54 with three centuries.

Babar’s 2019 home ODI series was particularly important. He scored 115 in Karachi and finished the series as Pakistan’s leading batter.

Mohammad Rizwan vs Sri Lanka

Mohammad Rizwan’s defining innings against Sri Lanka came at the 2023 World Cup.

His unbeaten 131 was both his highest ODI score and one of Pakistan’s greatest successful chase innings.

Rizwan played through severe cramp while keeping the required rate under control.

His partnership with Abdullah Shafique gave Pakistan the platform to complete the record 345 chase.

Rizwan also scored fifties against Sri Lanka during the 2025 ODI series, strengthening his overall record in the matchup.

Muttiah Muralitharan vs Pakistan

Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in Pakistan-Sri Lanka ODI history.

He took 96 ODI wickets against Pakistan, ahead of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

His best ODI figures against Pakistan were 5/23.

Muralitharan’s greatest strength in this rivalry was longevity. He faced several generations of Pakistan batters and remained dangerous throughout his career.

His variations, bounce and ability to bowl long spells made him equally valuable in Tests and ODIs.

Kumar Sangakkara vs Pakistan

Kumar Sangakkara was one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable batters against Pakistan.

He repeatedly scored heavily in Tests and ODIs and also contributed behind the stumps.

His ability to handle Pakistan’s fast bowling made him especially valuable because many Sri Lankan batters found swing and reverse swing difficult during away series.

Sangakkara was also part of Sri Lanka’s strong tournament sides during the 2000s and early 2010s.

Mahela Jayawardene vs Pakistan

Mahela Jayawardene had a long career against Pakistan across all three formats.

He was particularly strong on slower Asian pitches, where his footwork against spin and ability to work the ball through gaps gave him control in the middle overs.

Jayawardene also featured in several Asia Cup meetings and ICC tournament contests between the teams.

His consistency helped Sri Lanka remain competitive even during periods when Pakistan held the stronger overall head-to-head record.

Wanindu Hasaranga vs Pakistan

Wanindu Hasaranga represents Sri Lanka’s newer generation in this rivalry.

His leg-spin has been especially valuable in T20 cricket, where Pakistan have sometimes struggled against high-quality wrist-spin.

Hasaranga played an important role during Sri Lanka’s successful 2022 Asia Cup campaign and has also contributed with aggressive lower-order batting.

His combination of googlies, quicker deliveries and attacking intent makes him one of Sri Lanka’s main modern threats against Pakistan.

Best Batting Performances

Hafeez’s 140 not out is the highest ODI individual score in the head-to-head, while Younis Khan’s 313 is the standout Test innings.

Best Bowling Performances

Waqar Younis’ 6/26 at Sharjah remains the best ODI bowling performance in Pakistan-Sri Lanka matches.

Muralitharan’s 96 ODI wickets make him the most successful bowler across the full ODI rivalry.

Conclusion

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka has produced more than 240 international matches across the three major formats and remains one of Asian cricket’s most established rivalries.

Pakistan lead 23-17 in Tests, 96-59 in ODIs and 18-12 in T20Is through October 2026.

The rivalry extends well beyond the numbers.

Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph ended at Lahore, even though the two teams did not meet directly in that tournament. The 2009 attack in Lahore changed Pakistan cricket for years, while Sri Lanka’s return in 2019 became an important symbol in the restoration of international cricket in the country.

On the field, Asia Cup finals, the 2009 T20 World Cup final and Pakistan’s record World Cup chase in Hyderabad in 2023 have created lasting memories.

From Miandad, Anwar, Sangakkara and Muralitharan to Babar, Rizwan and Hasaranga, different generations have kept Pakistan vs Sri Lanka competitive and relevant across formats.

FAQs

How many Tests have Pakistan and Sri Lanka played?

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played 59 Tests.

Who leads the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test head-to-head?

Pakistan lead 23-17, with 19 Tests drawn.

How many ODIs have Pakistan and Sri Lanka played?

They have played 160 ODIs.

Who leads the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI record?

Pakistan lead 96-59, with one tie and four no-results.

How many T20Is have Pakistan and Sri Lanka played?

The teams have played 30 official T20Is through February 2026.

Who leads the T20I head-to-head?

Pakistan lead 18-12.

Did Pakistan play Sri Lanka at the 1996 World Cup?

No. They did not meet directly, but Sri Lanka won the tournament by defeating Australia in the final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

What happened during the 2009 Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan?

Gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore on March 3, 2009. Several players and officials were injured, and the tour was abandoned.

When did Sri Lanka return to Pakistan?

Sri Lanka returned for ODIs and T20Is in September and October 2019 and later played two Tests in December.

Who won the 2023 World Cup match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka?

Pakistan won by six wickets after chasing 345 in Hyderabad.

Who scored the most runs in that 2023 World Cup chase?

Mohammad Rizwan scored an unbeaten 131, while Abdullah Shafique made 113.

Who has the highest ODI score in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka matches?

Mohammad Hafeez scored 140 not out in Sharjah in 2013.

Who has the best ODI bowling figures in the rivalry?

Waqar Younis took 6/26 against Sri Lanka.

Who has taken the most ODI wickets in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka matches?

Muttiah Muralitharan leads with 96 wickets.

How many ODI centuries has Babar Azam scored against Sri Lanka?

Babar scored four centuries in his first 14 ODIs against Sri Lanka.

Who leads Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in Asia Cup meetings?

Sri Lanka lead 13-6 through the 2025 Asia Cup.

Who won the 2022 Asia Cup final?

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 23 runs.

Who won the 2009 T20 World Cup final?

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets at Lord’s.