Cricket World Cup History: Reliving Pakistan v India | 2003 Group Match, Centurion

Sachin Tendulkar played his greatest World Cup innings against Pakistan in Centurion
Sachin Tendulkar played his greatest World Cup innings against Pakistan in Centurion

March 1, 2003 | Supersport Park, Centurion

The expectations from the latest World Cup clash were for a high-voltage, high-quality contest in Old Trafford, Manchester. The fans were feverish, fuelled by the cross-border tension that came to a boil earlier in February 2019. So much so that there were calls for India to boycott the fixture. So on match day, the anticipation was immense. However, the build-up pales in comparison to 2003, when India and Pakistan were drawn in the same group, hence ensuring a World Cup clash (1992 was round robin, 1999 was in Super Sixes).

Having known the date of the fixture for a year, the hype leading to this contest was possibly the most that an India-Pakistan clash had ever seen or since witnessed. Facing each other for the first time in almost 3 years, it was Pakistan who needed the win more desperately. They scored a formidable 273 on the back of a vintage and wristy Saeed Anwar century. It seemed more than enough; after all, they had the combined might of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar to blow away the Indian line-up.

But Sachin Tendulkar walked out to own the contest; producing the most electrifying passage of play ever witnessed in an India-Pakistan cricket match. His belief and courage was contagious and emboldening. His contest with Shoaib Akhtar – full of fire and brimstone – was India versus Pakistan in microcosm, and Sachin was at his most sublime, stroking his purest, almost orgasmic ODI innings. The uppercut six from him against Akhtar still has a psychological impact on the Pakistanis. The sheer brilliance in his flurry of boundaries was nothing short of blockbuster entertainment.

Ali Bacher - the chief of the 2003 World Cup organising committee wrote in a personal message to him saying, "We wanted this World Cup to be the most successful ever and your innings against Pakistan at Centurion has helped us achieve that. "

When he fell for 98, the match was already won in spirit. Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh easily resisted any chances of a Pakistani fightback. Countless memories were made during that chase, enough to last a lifetime, and possibly for close to a billion people. Beyond memorable!

Pakistan 273/7 (50 overs) | Saeed Anwar 101(126), Zaheer Khan 2/46

India 276/4 (45.4 overs) | Sachin Tendulkar 98(75), Waqar Younis 2/71

India won by 6 wickets | Man of the Match: Sachin Tendulkar

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Edited by Vikshith R