Pakistan and West Indies have shared a long and fascinating history in Test cricket. Their rivalry began in the late 1950s and has produced several memorable performances, legendary batsmen, outstanding bowling spells and closely fought Test matches. From Hanif Mohammad’s marathon 337 to Garfield Sobers’ historic 365 not out, the early encounters between the two teams helped establish the rivalry as an important part of Test cricket history. Pakistan vs west indies head to head in test
As of the end of the 2026 Test series, Pakistan and West Indies have played 58 Test matches against each other. Pakistan have won 23 Tests, while West Indies have won 20, with 15 matches ending in draws. Therefore, Pakistan hold a three-match advantage in the overall head-to-head record.
The rivalry has changed significantly over the decades. West Indies dominated many of the early contests, particularly during their golden era, while Pakistan enjoyed several successful periods from the 1990s onward. More recently, the contests have generally been competitive, with both teams recording victories at home and away.
Pakistan vs West Indies Test Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Pakistan | West Indies |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tests | 58 | 58 |
| Wins | 23 | 20 |
| Losses | 20 | 23 |
| Draws | 15 | 15 |
| Highest Team Total | 657 | 790 |
| Lowest Team Total | 77 | 53 |
The overall record shows how closely matched the teams have been across more than six decades. Pakistan’s 23 victories give them a narrow advantage, while West Indies remain only three wins behind. Pakistan vs west indies head to head in test
Beginning of the Rivalry
Pakistan first faced West Indies in Test cricket during the 1957–58 tour of the Caribbean. That series produced some extraordinary individual performances.
One of the most famous came from Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad, who scored 337 at Bridgetown. His innings lasted 970 minutes and remains one of the most celebrated marathon innings in Test history.
West Indies responded with an equally remarkable performance from Garfield Sobers. He scored an unbeaten 365, which at the time became the highest individual score in Test cricket. These extraordinary performances demonstrated the quality of batting present in the rivalry from its earliest days.
The first series also showed the strength of West Indies cricket during that era. West Indies won three of the five Tests, Pakistan won one and one match was drawn.
West Indies’ Strong Period
During the 1970s and 1980s, West Indies were one of the dominant forces in international Test cricket. Pakistan faced several powerful West Indies sides featuring world-class batsmen and fast bowlers.
The West Indies pace attack, combined with outstanding batting depth, made them extremely difficult opponents. Players such as Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Malcolm Marshall became major figures in Test cricket during this period.
Pakistan, however, also produced some memorable results. Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and other Pakistan stars helped their team compete strongly against West Indies.
Several series during the 1970s and 1980s ended with victories for both sides as well as draws. The 1974–75 series in Pakistan, for example, ended with both Tests drawn, while the 1986–87 series finished 1–1 with one draw.
Pakistan’s Rise in the 1990s
The 1990s brought an important change in the rivalry. Pakistan became increasingly successful against West Indies, particularly in home conditions.
The 1997–98 series in Pakistan was particularly significant. Pakistan won all three Tests, including victories in Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Karachi. The margins included an innings-and-19-run victory, an innings-and-29-run victory and a 10-wicket win.
Pakistan also recorded important results during the 1990s when players such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Anwar played important roles.
West Indies nevertheless remained capable of producing strong performances. The 1990s therefore became another competitive chapter in the history of the rivalry.
Pakistan’s Recent Success
Pakistan have enjoyed several successful Test series against West Indies in the 21st century.
In 2001–02, Pakistan won both Tests played in the UAE. In 2005, the teams split their two-Test series in the Caribbean, while Pakistan won two of the three Tests during West Indies’ 2006–07 tour of Pakistan, with the other match drawn.
Pakistan also won the 2016 Test series in the UAE by 2–1. They followed that with another 2–1 series victory in the Caribbean in 2017.
The 2017 series was particularly memorable because Pakistan won the first Test in Jamaica, West Indies won the second Test in Barbados, and Pakistan secured the series by winning the third Test in Dominica.
2021 Test Series
The two teams met again in the Caribbean in 2021 for a two-Test series.
West Indies won the first Test at Kingston by just one wicket in an extremely close finish. Pakistan responded in the second Test, winning by 109 runs.
The series therefore ended 1–1. It was another example of how competitive Pakistan versus West Indies Test cricket can be, particularly when matches are played in the Caribbean.
2025 Test Series in Pakistan
West Indies toured Pakistan for a two-Test series in January 2025.
Pakistan won the first Test at Multan by 127 runs. Sajid Khan was named Player of the Match after playing an important role with the ball.
West Indies then produced a historic response in the second Test. They defeated Pakistan by 120 runs, with Jomel Warrican playing a major role. It was West Indies’ first Test victory on Pakistani soil since 1990.
The series ended 1–1.
The second Test was also memorable for Pakistan spinner Noman Ali, who became the first Pakistan spinner to take a Test hat-trick.
2026 Test Series
The rivalry continued in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle when Pakistan toured the West Indies in July and August 2026.
West Indies won the opening Test in Tarouba by 90 runs. Pakistan then bounced back in the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval, winning by eight wickets. The series therefore ended 1–1.
The second Test also produced a significant batting achievement for Abdullah Shafique. He scored an unbeaten 160, becoming the first Pakistan batter since Majid Khan in 1977 to score more than 150 in a Test in the Caribbean.
With the 2026 series ending level, the overall Test record moved to 58 matches, with Pakistan winning 23, West Indies winning 20 and 15 ending in draws.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Over the years, several legendary players have shaped Pakistan vs West Indies Test cricket.
For Pakistan, Hanif Mohammad, Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and modern-era players have contributed memorable performances.
For West Indies, Garfield Sobers, Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Brian Lara, Curtly Ambrose and other greats have left their mark on the rivalry.
The 1958 contests remain especially famous because of Hanif Mohammad’s 337 and Sobers’ 365 not out. In modern times, players such as Jomel Warrican, Noman Ali and Abdullah Shafique have added new chapters to the rivalry.
Home and Away Battles
One of the interesting features of Pakistan vs West Indies Tests is the importance of location.
Pakistan have generally been difficult to beat at home, while West Indies have historically enjoyed an advantage from Caribbean conditions. However, both teams have produced away victories.
West Indies’ 2025 victory in Multan was particularly notable because it ended a long wait for a Test win in Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan’s victories in the Caribbean, including their 2026 second-Test win, demonstrate their ability to compete away from home.
Conclusion
Pakistan vs West Indies is one of the long-standing rivalries in Test cricket. Since their first meetings in the 1950s, the two teams have produced legendary batting performances, outstanding bowling spells and several closely contested series.
After 58 Test matches, Pakistan lead the overall head-to-head record with 23 wins, compared with 20 wins for West Indies, while 15 Tests have been drawn.
The 2025 and 2026 series both ended 1–1, showing that the rivalry remains competitive. With the two sides continuing to meet in the ICC World Test Championship era, Pakistan vs West Indies Test cricket is likely to add more memorable matches and individual performances to its long history.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Test matches have Pakistan and West Indies played?
Pakistan and West Indies have played 58 Test matches against each other up to the end of the 2026 series.
2. Who has won more Test matches between Pakistan and West Indies?
Pakistan have won 23 Tests, while West Indies have won 20. Therefore, Pakistan lead the overall head-to-head record by three victories.
3. How many Pakistan vs West Indies Tests have been drawn?
A total of 15 Tests between Pakistan and West Indies have ended in draws.
4. When did West Indies last win a Test in Pakistan?
West Indies defeated Pakistan by 120 runs in Multan in January 2025. It was their first Test victory on Pakistani soil since 1990.
5. What was the result of the Pakistan vs West Indies Test series in 2026?
The 2026 two-Test series in the West Indies ended 1–1. West Indies won the first Test by 90 runs, while Pakistan won the second by eight wickets.