Last over surprise - India vs Pakistan, 2nd ODI, 1997 Wills Challenge Series

India – Pakistan cricket matches have always had an element of drama associated with it. One such match was the 2nd ODI played in the Wills Challenge Series. This series was held in Pakistan from 28th September 1997 to 2nd October 1997, to celebrate their 50th year of Independence. The series comprised of three ODIs.

The first ODI was won by Pakistan, beating India by 5 wickets with 33 balls to spare (India 170 all out, 49 overs, Pakistan 171/5 in 44.3 overs).

The 2nd ODI, held in Karachi, was a must-win for India to stay alive in the series. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Solid performances with the bat from their batsmen saw Pakistan score 265/4 from 47.2 overs. Notable among them were Inzamam-ul-Haq scoring 74 and Shahid Afridi scoring 72 from just 56 balls. Pakistan could have scored more had their innings been not cut short.

During their batting there were multiple instances of stone throwing by the crowd, leading the Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar informing the umpires that he and his team would not be able to continue if the safety of the Indian team could not be ensured. The umpire agreed and India was set a target of 266 required off 47 overs. The result of the match could have been different had Pakistan got to play those additional overs.

In reply, India started with a first wicket partnership of 71 runs between Tendulkar & Ganguly. With the fall of Tendulkar (21), Ganguly & Kambli kept the scoreboard ticking, before Ganguly fell for 89. Kambli followed soon after scoring 53. The next two wickets fell cheaply, Azharuddin for 6 and Jadeja for 8. Suddenly the scoreboard went from 169/2 to 195/5. A 62-run partnership between Saba Karim & Robin Singh brought the score to 257.

Nine runs required of eight balls and victory was in sight. But as had been the case in many India-Pakistan matches, there had to be a twist. Saba Karim was bowled by Waqar Younis in the penultimate ball of his spell. Rajesh Chauhan came in next and took a single off the next ball, forcing the commentator, Geoff Boycott to say that it was both a good and bad move for India. Good, because India got a run and bad because Rajesh Chauhan would be on strike at the start of the next over rather than Robin Singh who was having a great innings with the bat.

Last over, eight runs required. Possible, but becomes increasingly difficult when you have one of world’s best spinners bowling – Saqlain Mushtaq bowling. Also the odds were favouring Pakistan as Rajesh Chauhan, someone not known for his batting was on strike.

First ball, everyone expected Chauhan to take a single and give the strike to Robin Singh. What he did was totally unexpected. He hit a six. Rajesh Chauhan, a man known for his bowling and not known for his batting, hit a six, the first ball he faced from Saqlain Mushtaq. Geoff Boycott probably said it the best when he commented “He won’t hit a more important ball all his life”. Indians wrapped up the innings in the next two balls and won the match with three balls to spare. Ganguly for his 89 was adjudged the Man of the Match. But it was Rajesh Chauhan, who had given the moment that would be etched in the minds of the Indian fans forever.