Introduction
In the last 17 years of Test cricket, only one Asian team has managed to conquer England in their own backyard — Sri Lanka’s 1–0 series win in 2014. This remarkable achievement stands as a lone bright spot in a period dominated by England on home soil. From India’s near-misses to Pakistan’s drawn battles and Bangladesh’s uphill struggles, no other Asian side has been able to repeat the feat.
Table of Contents
Sri Lanka’s 2014 Triumph – A Rare Asian Victory in England
The summer of 2014 marked a historic moment for Sri Lankan cricket. Touring England for a two-Test series, Angelo Mathews’ side produced one of the most memorable away performances in recent Test history.
After drawing the first Test at Lord’s, Sri Lanka secured a dramatic victory at Headingley in the second match. Angelo Mathews’ 160 and Dhammika Prasad’s seven wickets in the match sealed the win, giving Sri Lanka a 1–0 series victory — their first-ever Test series win in England.
Since then, no Asian team has managed to win a Test series on English soil, making this triumph an enduring benchmark.
Asian Teams in England: 2008–2025 Test Series Results
India’s Struggles and Near Misses
India’s tours to England have been a mix of heavy defeats and competitive performances:
- 2011: Lost 0–4
- 2014: Lost 1–3
- 2018: Lost 1–4
- 2021: Series ended 2–2 after a thrilling final match at Edgbaston
- 2025: Once again, India fought hard but fell short of a series win, drawing 2–2.
The most recent contest saw India level the series in dramatic fashion at The Oval, with a stunning chase in the 5th Test. For fans looking to revisit every key moment from the summer, our full India vs England 2025 Test Series Highlights offer a detailed breakdown.
Pakistan’s Mixed Fortunes
Pakistan’s record in England during this period reflects resilience but not ultimate success:
- 2010: Lost 1–3
- 2016: Drew 2–2
- 2018: Drew 1–1
- 2020: Lost 0–1
Despite producing world-class fast bowlers and winning individual matches, Pakistan have been unable to convert competitive tours into outright series victories.
Bangladesh’s Tough Tours
Bangladesh’s visits to England have been among the most challenging for the Tigers:
- 2010: Lost 0–2
- 2016: Did not tour England in the summer Test schedule (played only limited-overs matches)
Given their developing pace attack and limited experience in English conditions, Bangladesh are yet to come close to a series win in England.
Sri Lanka’s Other Tours Since 2014
After their 2014 triumph, Sri Lanka’s subsequent tours to England have been less successful:
- 2016: Lost 0–2
- 2024: Lost 1–2 despite winning a memorable Test at The Oval in the final match of the series
That 2024 win was Sri Lanka’s first Test victory in England since 2014, but the series result still went in England’s favour.
Why Winning in England Is So Difficult for Asian Teams
Securing a Test series win in England is among the toughest challenges in cricket for several reasons:
- Seaming Conditions: The combination of overcast skies and green pitches offers significant swing and seam movement.
- Duke Ball Factor: The Duke cricket ball maintains its seam longer than the Kookaburra, testing batting techniques relentlessly.
- Home Season Strength: England’s top-order batting depth and fast bowling resources are formidable at home.
- Short Tours: Limited warm-up matches make adapting to conditions harder for visiting teams.
These factors mean that even teams with strong squads often return home empty-handed.
The 2025 India Series – Another Missed Chance
India entered the 2025 England tour with arguably their strongest pace attack in decades, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Yet, after four Tests, the series was tied 1–1, setting up a decisive final match at The Oval.
In one of the most remarkable chases in recent Test history, India pulled off a dramatic win to level the series 2–2, denying England the outright win. The result, while impressive, still meant that India’s wait for a series win in England extends beyond 18 years.
Full coverage of that series finale is available in India vs England 5th Test 2025: Series Levelled, with detailed player-by-player reviews in the 2025 Test Series Highlights.
Conclusion – A Record That Still Stands Strong
From 2008 to 2025, Sri Lanka remains the only Asian team to win a Test series in England, thanks to their 2014 Headingley heroics. India and Pakistan have fought valiantly, earning draws in competitive series, while Bangladesh continues to seek its first breakthrough.
Until another Asian team manages to conquer the challenges of English conditions, Sri Lanka’s 2014 triumph will stand as one of the rarest and most impressive achievements in modern Test cricket history.
FAQs
Q1: When did Sri Lanka last win a Test series in England?
Sri Lanka last won a Test series in England in 2014, claiming a 1-0 victory in a two-match series.
Q2: Has any other Asian team won a Test series in England since 2014?
No. From 2014 to 2025, Sri Lanka remains the only Asian team to have won a Test series in England. Other Asian sides, including India and Pakistan, have drawn or lost their tours in this period.
Q3: How have other Asian teams performed in England in recent years?
India: Drawn series in 2021 (2–2) and 2025 (2–2), losses in 2014 (1–3) and 2018 (1–4).
Pakistan: Drawn series in 2016 (2–2) and 2018 (1–1), loss in 2020 (0–1).
Sri Lanka: Series wins in 2014 (1–0), losses in 2016 and 2024.
Q4: How many years has it been since another Asian team won a Test series in England?
As of 2025, it has been 11 years since Sri Lanka’s triumph, with no other Asian team managing to replicate the feat.