India versus Pakistan Cricket Matches do not need any introduction, endorsements or advertising. They are among the marquee draws in any major ICC event, enhancing the popularity and profile of the tournament. The anticipation and buildup towards each match, now that they are as rare as the overseas Indian Test Victories, can’t just be put down to the obvious sibling rivalry, as both the teams produced some of the greatest matches when pitted against each other, bringing legends to the game and entertainment for the fans and the neutrals alike. 

So, unless you don’t follow the game, or are living under a rock, you would be aware of, and eagerly waiting for the World Cup game against the arch-rivals on 15th of February. While you are at it, here’s a trip down the memory lane, looking at 5 of the greatest ODI matches played between India and Pakistan. 

1.    India vs Pakistan at Dhaka, Jan 18 1998: The first close game, I saw between the two teams is the third final of the Independence Cup played at Dhaka. Those were the days when Saeed Anwar always used to get the better of Indian bowlers and he gave a pretty assured and brisk start to the proceedings, and with the help of Ijaz Ahmed, Pakistan amassed 314. It was a world record at that time to chase this down, and India started off in an electrifying fashion with a partnership of 71 in 8 overs between Sachin and Saurav. When Sachin departed, it was the time to put the argument that with Sachin India’s hopes sank, and Saurav Ganguly rose up to the occasion with a spectacular hundred, probably one of the best, if not the best, ODI knocks he has played in his career. Robin Singh in pinch-hitter role was an inspired move, much like that of Mongia’s promotion to that role against Australia in Sharjah. Together, they took India closer to the target, but India lost them both with 41 runs still to get under 8 overs. Pakistan sniffed a chance and taking regular wickets, they pushed Indians against the wall to leave them with 3 runs to get off the last 2 balls. Hrishikesh Kanitkar faced the first of them, and India didn’t need the other as he swatted the ball to the boundary, ensuring his place permanently in the minds of the ardent Indian Cricket Fan.

2.    India v Pakistan at Brisbane, Jan 10, 2000: One of the nostalgic joys of watching an ODI is the low scoring thriller, where fielders prowl on to every ball, throwing themselves around trying to save a single, where every dot ball is cheered, and nudges and deft touches produced under pressure gave important singles, and the one who could withstand the pressure eventually got across the line. When two flawed and inconsistent teams met in Brisbane, their desire to win and compete with the skin of their teeth gave us this gem of a match. At 71 for 6 chasing India’s modest 195, Pakistan looked in trouble, but with Yousuf Youhana Indians were never comfortable. He lived up to his reputation and proceed with what he does the best steering Pakistan to 153 before he fell. Saqlain and Waqar shared an unbeaten partnership of 43 in the match which may have ended just like the greatest ODI of all-time, 1999 Semifinal between Australia and South Africa, except that Sachin missed the throw to hit the stumps and Saqlain stole a bye to give Pakistan a great victory.


3.    Pakistan v India at Karachi, Mar 13, 2004: This was India’s tour to Pakistan after a very long time, and it was hyped up beyond expectations with the advertising campaign going in full swing in Televisions across the country. The opening match lived up to all the hype and some more. Put into bat by Inzamam, Tendulkar and Sehwag ripped Pakistan apart in their opening stand of 69 in 9 overs. The scoring rate never got down with Rahul Dravid motoring along to 99 off 104 balls and India amassed 349. It needed another world record to chase it down, and Pakistan started cautiously. While the run rate was kept in check, the presence of Inzamam and Youhana made things interesting. Inzamam in particular played another of his bad-ass ODI classics, lethargic gum chewing and dynamic stroke making intact. In hindsight, it was easier to appreciate his innings, but I swear i hated the man that day. Indians kept their nerve and kept taking wickets, particularly memorable was Mohammad Kaif’s catch to dismiss Shoaib Malik. With 6 runs needed off the last ball, Pakistan needed a Miandad. Incidentally, he was the coach and pointed towards himself urging to emulate him. Ashish Nehra served up a full toss, but Moin could only find Zaheer Khan and India sealed a famous victory. 

As a curious side note, Pakistan did penance of sorts and responded in kind, when Tendulkar played his own classic in a losing cause the very next match.Both Inzamam and Tendulkar were awarded the MOM in these games.

4.    India v Pakistan at Dambulla, Jun 19, 2010: The blessed Asia Cup is the only way India and Pakistan could have played against each other in a Non-ICC event. India and Pakistan were different teams by then, with the retirement of a few popular players and Tendulkar missing out on the tournament, yet in a game between these archrivals, nothing else mattered other than winning the game. Pakistan got off to a decent start and kept the scoreboard ticking for most part of their first innings. It was standard issue ODI batting and with the late impetus provided by Kamran Akmal, they reached 267. India, by then had a pretty strong batting line up, even without Tendulkar, and they seemed to be on course till Dhoni departed in the 43rd over. The game swung both ways towards the end, and there were some pretty heated arguments between Shoaib and Harbhajan. Raina’s six off Shoaib when India needed 16 off 2 overs was the game changer, but a desperate run out in the last over made it doubtful again. Harbhajan held his nerve and hit a six, and let off an almighty roar, to seal off the match.


5.    India v Pakistan at Dhaka, Mar 2, 2014: Yet another Asia Cup, and yet another nail-biting cliffhanger of a game, only with the roles reversed from the previous game. India batted first and made a respectable 245 riding on fifties from Rohit, Rayudu and Jadeja. Hardly a threatening score, but India’s inexperienced bowling attack is not helped by Dinesh Kartik’s missed stumping of Maqsood. Pakistan were well on target at 200 for 4, when Ashwin took Hafeez’s wicket and India sensed an opening. Wickets fell consistently around Afridi, who chose that day to prove some of his critics wrong. With 10 runs needed off the last over, Ashwin got the wicket of Ajmal to have the No. 11 walking in to aid Afridi. Junaid Khan snared a single to bring Afridi back on strike Afridi sealed the game within the blink of an eye with two wild slogs, each of which went for a six, and Afridi added another tale to his glorious legend. 


P.S: Being an Indian, I can't help being a bit biased and thus made the scoreline read 3-2.
P.P.S: These are only the matches that I saw, the first one was in 1996 World Cup, and does not include the famous Sharjah match where Miandad hit a six off Chetan Sharma on the last ball of the match.
P.P.P.S: These games are listed based on the sheer adrenaline impact each of them have subjected me to. 
Stats Courtesy: ESPN Cricinfo