India and Pakistan have engaged in many high profile cricketing encounters over the years. The match is not just about the players, it is about the rivalry off-field too. The politics between the two nations have often dominated the proceedings and both the countries often feel its heat in the middle.
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We at Stumpsandbails bring you a list of 5 iconic moments between India and Pakistan.
Australasia Cup Final, Sharjah, 1986
India and Pakistan have played countless games at Sharjah with Pakistan winning on a majority of the occasions. But this game saw India dominating the majority of the match and Pakistan were behind the 8-ball right through. Pakistan needed 4 of the last ball and Javed Miandad was at the crease.
Chetan Sharma was left with the task of defending the score and in an attempt to york, he ended up bowling a full-toss. Miandad duly dispatched the delivery over mid-wicket for a six. In the process, he not just won Pakistan the trophy but also broke millions of Indian hearts.
World Cup Quarter-final, Bangalore, 1996
India and Pakistan were playing a high voltage quarterfinal in the 1996 cricket World Cup. The tension was brewing in the air and one side had to give. Ajay Jadeja had already played a terrific canoe smashing Waqar Younis for sixes all around the stadium. Tempers were flying high between both teams and it reached a standpoint when stand-in skipper, Aamir Sohail pointed his hand at Indian pacer, Venkatesh Prasad.
He allegedly told Prasad that he will again hit him to the boundary fence. But Prasad roared back stunningly, bowling Sohail comprehensively. The middle stump was out of the ground and the crowd at Chinnaswamy, Bangalore went berserk. The ghosts of Sharjah were buried to rest with this fine win.
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Independence Cup Final, Dhaka, 1998
India were set a target of 315 in 48 overs by Pakistan in the final of the independence cup in 1998. India got off to a fabulous start thanks to Sourav Ganguly and Robin Singh. But a middle-order collapse left Hrishikesh Kanitkar to overcome the final over challenge bowled by Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq. He smashed Mushtaq to help India win the Independence Cup and thereby Indians silenced the vociferous Dhaka crowd.
World Cup League Match, Centurion, 2003
It was billed as the match of the tournament. And this game rightly lived up to the hype. Pakistan won the toss and posted a formidable score of 273-7. Pakistan was expected to roll over India as they had a gun bowling attack comprising Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, and Shahid Afridi.
But they never expected what will hit them in the chase. Sachin Tendulkar arguably played his best ODI innings and belted a 75 ball 98. He stunningly tore into Akhtar and his six over point still evokes goosebumps among the Indian fans. This is one match the Indians can never forget.
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World T20 Final, Johannesburg, 2007
India had earlier defeated Pakistan in a bowl-out during the league stage of the World T20 competition. Both the teams were led by young captains. India posted a challenging total of 157 and at the halfway stage, Pakistan looked favorites to overhaul the target. But India picked up wickets at crucial junctures and looked firm favorites until Misbah-ul-Haq played a brilliant knock to bring Pakistan right into the game.
Pakistan needed just 6 runs and Misbah-ul-Haq was on strike facing under pressure Indian bowler, Joginder Sharma. In a moment of brain fade, Misbah-ul-Haq scooped a ball up in the air and S. Sreesanth grabbed the chance. India became inaugural T20 champions and the game was never the same again. India’s win led to the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This tournament further created a huge gulf between the two sides.
