T20 World Cup 2021: 5 memorable wins for India against Pakistan in ICC encounters

#3 2007 T20 World Cup group stage (Durban)

Robin Uthappa takes a bow after hitting the stumps during the bowl-out against Pakistan. Pic: Getty Images

The 2007 T20 World Cup group encounter between India and Pakistan in Durban ended in a thrilling tie. In an era before Super Overs, India were declared winners after clinching the bowl-out 3-0.

Coming back to the main match, Pakistan sent India into bat after winning the toss. Mohammad Asif bowled brilliantly to claim 4 for 18 and reduce India to 141 for 9. He dismissed both the Indian openers, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, cheaply and also got the scalps of Yuvraj and Dinesh Karthik. Robin Uthappa’s 50, skipper MS Dhoni’s 33 and Irfan Pathan’s cameo of 20 ensured India had a competitive total to bowl at.

Pakistan crumbled to 47 for 4 in the chase, but a defiant half-century from Misbah-ul-Haq kept them in the hunt. Pakistan needed 29 from 12 but Ajit Agarkar conceded 17 in the penultimate over to give the chasing side’s hopes a major boost.

Misbah managed to smack Sreesanth for two fours in the last over. However, with one needed of the last ball, the Pakistan batter failed to connect and was run out by some distance. India proved too good for Pakistan in the bowl-out.

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#2 1996 ODI World Cup quarter-final (Bengaluru)

Venkatesh Prasad giving a famous send-off to Aamer Sohail

The 1996 quarterfinal between India and Pakistan is considered by many pundits as the most intense contest between the arch-rivals in the history of the World Cup. In front of a packed house at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru (then Bangalore), some of the biggest cricketing superstars from the two countries went face-to-face.

India won the toss and batted first in the high-voltage clash. Navjot Sidhu top-scored with 93 while Jadeja smashed 45 off 25, famously clobbering Waqar Younis at the death. India ended up scoring an impressive 287 for 8. While Mushtaq Ahmed claimed 2 for 56 for Pakistan, Ata-ur-Rehman got the big scalp of Sachin Tendulkar (31).

Pakistan got off to a terrific start in the chase, reaching 84 in 10 overs. Javagal Srinath provided India the big breakthrough, having Saeed Anwar caught for 48. Then, the iconic confrontation between Venkatesh Prasad and Sohail (55) followed. Once Prasad sent the left-hander packing, Pakistan unraveled quickly, crumbling to 248 for 9. Miandad, in his last innings, was run out for 38 off 64.

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#1 2007 T20 World Cup final (Johannesburg)

Misbah-ul-Haq bats during the 2007 T20 World Cup final against India. Pic: Getty Images

After the tie in the group stage, India and Pakistan played out a thrilling final in Johannesburg. In the match that went all the way to the wire, MS Dhoni’s young guns prevailed by five runs.

India batted first after winning the toss in the final. The innings was anchored by Gautam Gambhir, who scored a fighting 75 off 54 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Rohit Sharma provided the finishing touches to the innings with a brilliant cameo. His unbeaten 30 off 16 took India to 157 for 5. Umar Gul came up with a fantastic bowling performance to end with figures of 3 for 28.

India’s bowlers were brilliant in their defence and restricted Pakistan to 77 for 6. However, for the second time in the tournament, Misbah stood between India and victory. Misbah whacked Harbhajan Singh for three sixes in the 17th over to boost Pakistan’s hopes. It came down to 13 off the last over by Joginder Sharma. The second ball was whacked for a six and India were the team under the pump. However, with six needed off four, Misbah’s ill-fated scoop landed in the hands of Sreesanth.

It was ecstasy for India and agony for Pakistan as Dhoni’s boys began a golden chapter in Indian cricket.