The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, one of the fiercest as well as the most passionate in the sport’s history, has produced unforgettable drama in the ICC Champions Trophy, from nerve-wracking thrillers to one-sided dominations, forging moments of sheer brilliance and shattering heartbreak.
From their first encounter in 2004 to the unforgettable final in 2017, India and Pakistan’s Champions Trophy clashes have been nothing short of exhilarating. Each match has added a fresh chapter to this storied rivalry, making it one of the most anticipated contests in cricket. Since the tournament’s inception, the two teams have met five times, with Pakistan claiming three victories and India securing two.
Here’s a look at their encounters in every edition of the Champions Trophy:
1998 – No clash of titans
The first edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, formerly known as the ICC Knockout Trophy, was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh featured 9 teams. However, India and Pakistan did not face each other in this edition. Pakistan was eliminated by the West Indies in the quarter-finals, while India reached the semi-finals but lost to Windies.
South Africa emerged victorious, defeating the West Indies in the final. The tournament was designed to raise funds for the development of the sport in non-Test-playing countries and to bring more competitive cricket to emerging nations.
2000 – Encounter missed again
The second edition in Kenya, with 11 teams participating, again did not feature an India-Pakistan battle. Both teams participated but did not meet due to the tournament’s straight knockout format. India made it to the final, while Pakistan was knocked out in the semi-finals by New Zealand.
2002 – Goes without face-off too
In the 2002 edition, yet again the two teams did not face off. In 2002, the tournament was renamed the ICC Champions Trophy and hosted by Sri Lanka in Colombo. Twelve teams participated, and the final between India and Sri Lanka ended in a no-result due to persistent rain on both scheduled days, leading to both teams sharing the trophy — an unprecedented outcome in ICC history.
2004 – A thrilling showdown
India and Pakistan faced each other for the first time in the Champions Trophy during the 2004 edition in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Batting first, India posted 200 runs, with Rahul Dravid playing a crucial knock. In response, Pakistan chased the target in a tense finish, with Inzamam-ul-Haq and Muhammad Yousuf guiding their team to a 3-wicket victory. Shoaib Akhtar’s fiery spell rattled the Indian batting lineup, making it a memorable contest. Muhammad Yousuf was declared Player of the Match. Inzamam and Sourav Ganguly were the captains of Pakistan and India, respectively.
By knocking India out, Pakistan made it to the semi-final but lost to West Indies. The 2004 edition saw 12 teams compete, with the West Indies claiming victory over the host nation.
2006 – No subcontinental roars
The 2006 ICC Champions Trophy, held in India, saw Australia emerge victorious, defeating the West Indies in the final. Ten teams were divided into two groups, with the top two from each advancing to the semifinals.
India (Group B) suffered a disappointing campaign, losing to the West Indies (by 3 wickets) and Australia (by 6 wickets) despite a win against England. They finished third in their group and failed to qualify for the semifinals. Pakistan (Group A) fared no better, losing to South Africa (by 124 runs) and New Zealand (by 51 runs) but securing a consolation win against Sri Lanka. They also finished third in their group and were eliminated.
The semifinalists were Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies. Australia eventually clinched their first Champions Trophy title, cementing their dominance in world cricket.
2009 – Pakistan’s commanding victory
The second time these arch-rivals met in the Champions Trophy was in 2009 at Centurion, South Africa. Pakistan set a formidable total of 302/9, thanks to Shoaib Malik’s brilliant century and Mohammad Yousuf’s solid contribution. India, missing Virender Sehwag due to injury, struggled in the chase and were bowled out for 248, handing Pakistan a 54-run victory.
Younis Khan and MS Dhoni were the captains of Pakistan and India, respectively. Shoaib Malik was declared Player of the match. India couldn’t qualify for the semi-final, Pakistan however, made it to the semis but was knocked out by the Kiwis.
Australia retained their title, becoming the first team to win back-to-back Champions Trophies after defeating New Zealand in the final.
2013 – India waltzes to victory in wet conditions
The 2013 ICC Champions Trophy’s group stage clash between India and Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham was disrupted by rain, reducing the game to a 40-over contest. Batting first, Pakistan collapsed to 165 all out, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/19) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/30) leading India’s bowling attack. Rain re-interrupted the game, revising India’s target to 102 in 22 overs.
Openers Shikhar Dhawan (48) and Rohit Sharma (18) set up a dominant chase, sealing an 8-wicket victory. Dhawan’s aggressive strokes earned him Player of the Match. India went on to win the Champions Trophy, defeating England in the final, while Pakistan exited in the group stage by losing all matches. In this edition, Misbah-ul-Haq and MS Dhoni served as captains.
2017 – The ultimate showdown
The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy saw India and Pakistan face off twice in a dramatic tournament arc, blending rivalry with high stakes.
India dominated the rain-affected group stage match, posting 319/3 in 48 overs (revised via DLS). Rohit Sharma (91) and Virat Kohli (81) anchored the innings, while Pakistan’s bowling faltered. Chasing 324 in 48 overs, Pakistan collapsed to 164 all out against India. India won by 124 runs (DLS).
Pakistan, having lost to India in the group stage, entered the final as underdogs. However, in a stunning reversal, Pakistan outclassed India in the final. Opener Fakhar Zaman (114) propelled Pakistan to 338/4. India’s chase crumbled early against Mohammad Amir’s fiery spell (3/16), dismissing Rohit, Kohli, and Dhawan cheaply. Hardik Pandya (76 off 43) offered brief hope but fell to a run-out. Pakistan bowled India out for 158, winning by 180 runs to claim their maiden Champions Trophy title. Fakhar Zaman was awarded Player of the Match while Hassan Ali was declared Player of the series for grabbing 13 wickets. This match remains one of Pakistan’s greatest cricketing moments.
Pakistan and India were led by captains Sarfraz Ahmed and Virat Kohli, respectively, in the 2017 edition.
After the 2017 edition, the ICC initially decided to discontinue the Champions Trophy. However, the event was revived after an eight-year hiatus, marking the return of a major ICC event to the country after nearly three decades.
Will Pakistan out-cricket arch-rivals on Feb 23?
As the cricketing world eagerly anticipates the high-stakes clash between Pakistan and India on February 23, 2025, in Dubai, Pakistani fans are brimming with excitement and high expectations.
If there’s one thing you can always expect from Pakistan cricket, it’s the unexpected. One moment, they’re playing like world champions, demolishing opponents with effortless class. The next, they’re collapsing faster than a house of cards in a storm. It’s this delightful unpredictability that makes supporting Pakistan a rollercoaster ride — thrilling, nerve-wracking, and occasionally, heart-stopping.
One day, they’re chasing 350 with ease; the next, they’re struggling to reach 150 on a batting paradise. Bowlers turn into magicians, dismantling world-class lineups one day, only to lose their rhythm and leak runs like a broken tap the next. And let’s not even start on the fielding — in one match, they’re taking blinders and hitting direct throws from the boundary, and the next, they’re dropping sitters that even a toddler wouldn’t miss.
But that’s the charm of Pakistan cricket! Watching them isn’t just about the game—it’s an emotional ride. They can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and, just when all hope seems lost, pull off a miracle that leaves the world in awe. It’s frustrating, exhilarating, and sometimes utterly ridiculous—but would you have it any other way? Of course not. Because Pakistan cricket isn’t just a sport; it’s an experience.
