Sanju Samson vs Pakistan — The Story So Far, Over the years, Sanju Samson has taken on the challenge of facing Pakistan in limited-overs cricket. While opportunities have been sparse, his recent outings give us clues about how he has fared under pressure. In particular, his performances in T20Is and at the Dubai Stadium stand out.
T20I Encounters – Samson vs Pakistan
Till the latest match in September 2025, Samson’s T20I record against Pakistan is modest, but offers interesting insights.
Match-by-Match Snapshot
| Match | Date | Batting Position | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Sept 2025 | Dubai | Did Not Bat | — | — | — | — |
| 21 Sept 2025 | Dubai | No. 5 | 13 | 17 | 76.47 | b Haris Rauf |
- In his first T20I vs Pakistan, Samson did not bat (14 Sept 2025).
- In the second outing (21 Sept 2025), he scored 13 off 17 with a strike rate of ~76.47 before falling to Haris Rauf.
So far, that’s 1 completed innings vs Pakistan in T20Is, leaving his average at 13.00 for that innings.
What This Suggests
- Samson’s opportunities vs Pakistan in T20Is have been limited.
- The 13-run knock shows he got into the game, but couldn’t convert into a big score yet.
- Given his role higher up in the batting order in other matches, this stint vs Pakistan is still early days for him.
ODI Record vs Pakistan
To date, Sanju Samson has not played an ODI against Pakistan. Thus, there’s no head-to-head data for him in the 50-over format with respect to Pakistan. The T20I performances remain the primary benchmark for now.
Dubai Stadium: Samson’s Home Conditions
Dubai International Cricket Stadium has featured prominently in Indo-Pak matchups, and here’s how Samson’s activity there unfolds with respect to the Pakistan encounters:
- His T20I matches vs Pakistan in 2025 (both on 14 and 21 Sept) took place at Dubai.
- He had one innings (13) in Dubai vs Pakistan, as shown above.
While the data is thin, the fact that his Pakistan encounters happened in Dubai means that all his limited exposure is under conditions he is likely more familiar with.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths:
- Samson has a pedigree in pressure games and a composed temperament, which helps in high-stakes Indo-Pak clashes.
- Even though the runs have been few vs Pakistan, the value of getting starts and staying in the game can be high.
Challenges:
- He hasn’t yet had a large score vs Pakistan to back up his ability — converting starts will be key.
- With limited innings, margin for error is small.
What’s Next: What to Watch For
- More opportunities vs Pakistan — As schedules permit, Samson may get more chances (especially in T20Is) to build a head-to-head record.
- Dubai consistency — If he can convert starts vs Pakistan at Dubai, it could become a signature venue for him.
- Transition to ODIs — Once Samson plays an ODI vs Pakistan, comparisons across formats will become relevant.
- Knock-out stage pressure — Fans will be keen to see whether he can deliver in semis or finals where India-Pakistan matches usually matter most.
Although Sanju Samson’s record vs Pakistan is short and the numbers modest so far, the intrigue lies in his potential. With just one full inning so far and strong performances in other contexts, he has room to grow and make his mark in this storied rivalry.
