Pakistan | Team Bio

Pakistan have never enjoyed the vast resources of some of their rivals, but have never been afraid to upset the status quo. 

Pakistan’s record at the highest level of competition is impressive, with the Pakistan Shaheens having won one ODI World Cup, one T20 World Cup and one ICC Champions Trophy. Despite having only won three major international titles, Pakistan have a great record at reaching the latter stages of the biggest tournaments. They were unlucky to lose in the final of the latest T20 World Cup, when they lost a close match to England in the 2022 final.

Pakistan are one of only a few nations that have topped the ICC rankings in all formats of the game, and have been ranked as the best test-playing nation in the world twice. With a gradual easing of political tensions, Pakistan are starting to play competitive matches at home once again and have recently welcomed Australia, England and New Zealand to the country for the first time in decades. 

With the domestic game in a strong place, cricket in Pakistan has always been a national obsession, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if they were to win one of the game’s biggest prizes soon.

Pakistan’s Current ICC Rankings

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the governing body of world cricket and is responsible for the world rankings across the different formats of the game. Below, you will see the current Pakistan cricket team rankings across all ICC formats.

Test Rankings

ODI Rankings

Largest victories 

Without a doubt, the biggest win in Pakistan cricket history came in 1992 when they defeated England to win the ODI World Cup. To this day, it remains one of the greatest moments in Pakistani sport. Members of that World Cup-winning side have stated how their victory over England in the 1992 final has changed their lives. Winning captain Imran Khan was even voted in as the country’s Prime Minister.

Hot on the heels of the World Cup victory in 1992 has to be Pakistan’s T20 World Cup win in 2009 and their ICC Champions Trophy win in 2017. Pakistan’s win in 2017 might just edge 2009, due to the fact that they demolished their great rivals India in the final. Their 180-run victory was one of the best performances that the Pakistan cricket team has ever produced.

Famous rivalries 

Pakistan’s biggest rivals without any shadow of a doubt are India. Due to political tensions between the two nations, matches between the two sides are only held in ICC events. When the pair do lock horns in events such as the ODI or T20 World Cups, these are often some of the most passionate and intense cricket matches you would ever wish to see. In recent times, Pakistan have enjoyed the better of the head-to-head, but their most recent match at the 2022 T20 World Cup saw Virat Kohli inspire India to a truly memorable victory.

Batting records 

Many Pakistan national cricket team players have graced the game, with some being regarded among the best to have ever played. Here is a quick rundown of some of the greats.

Most test runs for Pakistan 

Quiet and understated, Younis Khan doesn’t get the credit that he deserves for his brilliant career. Khan is Pakistan’s highest run scorer, having amassed 10,009 first-class runs. Khan’s exploits with the bat see him rank 14^th in the list of all-time run scorers.

Most test wickets for Pakistan 

Wasim Akram is arguably the greatest cricketer that Pakistan has ever produced. A fearsome exponent of swing bowling, Akram could cause problems for any opponent on any pitch. He finished his career with 414 test wickets. 

Most T20I runs for Pakistan

Babar Azam has long been regarded as one of the best T20 players in the world. Averaging almost 42, Azam has scored a whopping 3,355 runs over the course of his career, and by the time he retires, the Pakistan captain could well be the T20 format’s all-time leading scorer.

Most T20I wickets for Pakistan 

Over recent seasons, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has shown what a good bowler he is. A brilliant player, Khan has just become his nation’s all-time leading wicket taker in T20s. With many more years ahead of him, Khan should build nicely on the 98 wickets he has already taken. 

ICC Team Rankings

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the governing body of world cricket and is responsible for the world rankings across the different formats of the game. Below, you will see the current Pakistan cricket team rankings across all ICC formats.