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.
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
Stats Courtesy: ESPN Cricinfo
P.P.P.P.S. I don't like cricket. So, I didn't read your post. But I found your PS'es funny, and so this comment. :P
ReplyDeleteWhy no WC matches? 5-0 so far!!!
ReplyDeleteThey dindn't "go down the wire" :P
DeleteTo me, the 2004 match was most exciting!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don't have high hopes for the team this time. Just praying that they at least win the much-awaited match on 15th. :-P
No one hopes us to go beyond the Semis, but Tomorrow's match is equally big as the last match India are going to play in this WC :)
DeleteSome great encounters those but surely the 1996 QF deserves to be there in the list?? The way Jadeja tore in to Waqar, The Aamir-Venkatesh spat, Miandad - an ageing star fighting till the end... It was a potboiler :)
ReplyDeleteDipesh, I selected the matches which have gone till the last ball....the 1996 QF, though was high on adrenalin, was decided halfway into Pakistan Innings. That's why I didn't include it
DeleteIt's a very interesting and useful piece of knowledge. I appreciate you sharing this beneficial information with us.
ReplyDeletePlease keep us informed in this manner. Thank you for providing this information.
sony vegas pro crack
microtonic vst crack
portrait pro studio body crack
tuxera ntfs crack
WYSIWYG Web Builder Crack
ReplyDeleteNero Platinum Crack is when it comes to copying CDs, DVDs, and Blu section discs. Clean and splendid ripping, duplication, automatic backup and, copy approaches, backup reports on CD, DVD, and Blu section discs. After that, Adapt to watch DVD movies with create 3D menus, copy, duplicate, propose, move and mix music like a DJ. Convert music, photos, and DVDs for playback on your iPod and various phones. Quickly move images and videos to My Nero, YouTube, and MySpace, watch, record, delay, and edit your live TV experience, Blu section playback, AVCHD, and other high definition social events.
https://zhlicense.com/
I really love your work it’s very beneficial to many people’s. Your blog approach helps many people like myself. Its content is very easy to understand and helps a lot,
ReplyDeleteDo visit my site for new and Updated software:
VMware Fusion Mac Crack
Airy Crack
Folx Pro Crack
Xpand 2 VST Crack
Deezer Desktop Crack
Folx Pro Crack
KeyShot Pro crack
Macrium Reflect crack
Glitch 2 VST crack
7-Zip Crack