Pakistan's Test Losses Overtake Wins for First Time Since 1987

Pakistan's Test record has taken an unwanted historic turn, with their number of defeats exceeding their victories for the first time since 1987, following their 194-run loss to England in the second Test at Lord's.

The result leaves Pakistan with 154 Test defeats compared to 153 victories from 473 matches, with the remaining 166 games ending in draws. The last time Pakistan's losses outnumbered their wins was after a draw against England at The Oval in August 1987, when their record read 39 wins and 40 defeats from 170 Tests. Since then, Pakistan enjoyed nearly four decades in which victories consistently stayed ahead of losses, a run now brought to an end by a difficult run of results in the current era.

The loss at Lord's also confirmed England's series win with a match to spare, continuing a torrid recent run for Pakistan in Test cricket, having also lost the series opener at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs. Ollie Robinson was the chief architect of both defeats, taking match figures of 8 for 35 in the second Test alone, as part of a remarkable comeback since being recalled to the England side.

Pakistan's slide down the record books comes amid a broader period of transition for the side, and the numbers now serve as a stark marker of how far their fortunes have fallen since the high points of the late 1980s and early 1990s. With the third and final Test of the series still to come at Edgbaston starting September 9, Pakistan will have a chance to arrest the slide, even with the series already decided in England's favour.