Champions Trophy 2017: 5 memorable ODI matches between India and Pakistan

An India-Pakistan tie is not just a match; it is seen as a cricketing war for fans from both the countries. There is no shortage of drama and anxiety in this big fixture. Although the head-to-head record of both the countries in ODIs is lopsided in Pakistan’s favour as they have won 72 of the 127 matches played between the two nations, the men in green have never been able to get the better of the Men in Blue in an ICC quadrennial event, i.e, the World Cup.

Speaking of the Champions Trophy alone, the arch-rivals have clashed three times in the tournament and Pakistan have come up trumps twice. This is one stat that India will look to change when the two forces meet at the Edgbaston Cricket Stadium today. In the build-up to the biggest rivalry in cricket, here’s a look back at the best ODI encounters between the two neighbouring countries.

#1 Austral-Asia Cup, Final: India vs Pakistan at Sharjah, April 18, 1986

Javed Miandad’s last ball six made him a national hero

Result: Pakistan won by one wicket

This is perhaps the most memorable of all the India-Pakistan encounters, a match that will be etched In the memories of viewers on either side of the border. Batting first, India put up a total of 245 runs with Sunil Gavaskar top scoring for the side with his 92.

Pakistan, needing four runs off the last ball to lift the Austral-Asia Cup, emerged victorious as Javed Miandad smashed a full toss from Chetan Sharma for a huge six. With that delivery, Miandad, who scored a splendid 116 in the game, became an overnight hero, while Sharma returned home to heavy criticism.

After that game, Pakistan dominated India for quite a long time when the two played at Sharjah.

#2 India tour of Pakistan, 1st ODI: Pakistan vs India at Karachi, March 13, 2004

Dravid was on song against Pakistan

Result: India won by 5 runs

The down to the wire game ended in a nervy finish with India eventually managing a 5-run win at a packed to capacity National Stadium in Karachi. On the back of Virender Sehwag’s 57-ball 79 and Rahul Dravid’s 104-ball 99, India had set up a target of 350 for the hosts.

Player of the match, Inzamam-ul-Haq’s 122 off 102 balls had his team as the favourites in the chase, but they faltered when it mattered the most. Requiring 10 runs to win off the last over by Ashish Nehra, the men in green could only manage four runs in the first five balls. In the last ball, Pakistan needed a six to do it. But Moin Khan’s big shot was caught safely by Zaheer Khan.

#3 Asia Cup, 4th Match: India v Pakistan at Dambulla, June 19, 2010

Harbhajan Singh celebrates after guiding India to a win

Result: India won by 3 wickets

This was a match India wouldn’t have won if not for the slogging ability of Harbhajan Singh. Pakistan posted a decent 267 and India seemed the favourites after the third wicket partnership between Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni yielded 98 runs. But from 180/2, the men in blue suddenly found themselves struggling at 219/6 with all their premier batsmen sitting at the dugout.

The last hope for India was Suresh Raina, who delivered and took the game to the last over. But with six runs still needed, Raina had to walk back after being adjudged run-out. However, Harbhajan Singh sprung up a surprise as he sent the fifth ball of that over, by Mohammed Amir, for a six. The Indian dugout was ecstatic.

#4 Asia Cup, 6th Match: India vs Pakistan at Dhaka, March 2, 2014

Afridi’s twin sixes in the last over took Pakistan over the line

Result: Pakistan won by one wicket

When talking of the fiercest India-Pakistan matches, this one deserves a special mention. On the back of half centuries by Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu, India made a decent 245/8 in 50 overs. Pakistan’s start to their chase was good. But, the quick wickets of Sohaib Maqsood and Mohammed Hafeez left Pakistan requiring 47 runs with four wickets in hand. And then began one of Shahid Afridi’s best shows.

He took no time settle on the crease and ripped through Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar even as all of his second fiddles kept walking back to the dugout. In the last over, Pakistan needed 10 runs and were left with only two wickets. Ashwin removed Saeed Ajmal but with Boom-Boom still at the crease, Pakistan were the favourites. Afridi hit two huge sixes to finish the game.

#5 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2nd Semi-Final: India vs Pakistan at Mohali, March 30, 2011

Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged the man of the match for his 85

Result: India won by 29 runs

This was not a nail-biting encounter by any means. But for India, this victory meant much more than just defeating their greatest rivals. The hosts, after this game, were just one win away from ending their wait of 28 years, that of lifting the World Cup. And fans couldn’t have asked for a better way for India to storm into the finals than beating Pakistan in the semi-final.

Batting first, India scored 260. The visitors dropped Tendulkar four times during his 85 runs that also saw him survive two lbw calls. Pakistan's answer to the 260 was a slow and uninspiring effort, in the face of a tight fielding effort by India.

Misbah-ul-Haq was widely criticised for consuming 76 deliveries to make 56. India won by 29 runs with Sachin Tendulkar, playing in his last World Cup, winning the Man of the Match award.