The best of India vs Pakistan - 7 classic cricketing clashes

India vs Pakistan has always been ‘the’ contest in World cricket. Even the Ashes take a backseat, when compared to ‘Indo-Pak’ cricketing history. From Javed Miandad’s last ball six in Sharjah to Tendulkar demolishing the Pakistani quicks in Centurion, matches between the two rivals have always had that extra edge. Streets go empty and everything comes to a standstill, whenever there is an India-Pakistan match going on. Here are some really good India-Pakistan matches and moments.

World Cup 1996, Bangalore :

Prasad’s clean bowls Sohail in 1996!

Pakistan were cruising along, chasing a 288 run target (courtesy some late Ajay Jadeja heroics!), with Aamir Sohail looking in top form, hitting Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad all over the park. Then, Sohail made the mistake of intimidating Prasad, by mocking the seamer after hitting a boundary and paid a heavy price for it. A charged up Prasad sent Sohail’s stumps cart-wheeling on the very next delivery and gave India a huge psychological edge, which they used to win the match later on.

World Cup 1992, Sydney :

Miandad leaves More flummoxed!

This match will always be remembered for Javed Miandad and his ‘Kangaroo jump’. Miandad, while batting, got so irritated by keeper Kiran More’s constant appealing that he imitated More by jumping up and down in hilarious fashion, which left even the players and the umpire in splits (a shell shocked More’s expression tells it all!). Though Pakistan lost the match by 43 runs, they went on to win the tournament under skipper Imran Khan’s inspirational leadership.

World Cup 2003, Centurion:

Sachin upper cuts Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan had set India an imposing target of 274 with India’s old nemesis, Saeed Anwar, hitting a classy 101. The match was billed as a battle between the Pakistani pacers and the Indian batsmen beforehand, and the latter won handsomely. ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar rose to the occasion, smashing Shoaib Akthar out of the attack (his upper cut six of Akthar was the stuff of dreams!) in one of his best knocks so far. For the record, Tendulkar scored 98 and India won the match comfortably with 6 wickets in hand.

Austral-Asia cup Final 1986, Sharjah :

Miandad hit Chetan Sharma into orbit!

This match was probably the match that started Pakistan’s stranglehold over India in Sharjah matches. India had scored a modest 245, with Sunil Gavaskar‘s patient 92, and Krish Srikkant ably supporting him with a quick-fire 75. After losing some quick wickets, Pakistan looked in real danger of throwing away the match, but for Miandad and his patient 100. But the best was yet to come. Pakistan needed 4 runs to win off the last ball and Miandad duly obliged, smashing a six off Chetan Sharma to help Pakistan to a famous win and earn his place in Pakistan’s cricketing folklore.

2007 T20 World Cup Final, Johannesburg:

Misbah-ul-Haq – From Hero to Zero

If Pakistani cricket fans remember Miandad and his last ball six, then this match reminds Indian fans of Sreesanth and his catch of Misbah-ul- Haq. A thrilling match, which went right down to the wire started with India scoring 157 , mainly due to Gautam Gambhir and his aggresive 75. Pakistan, who seemed to have lost their way after a rollicking start by losing wickets at regular intervals, found their saviour in Misbah-ul-Haq, who kept Pakistan in the game with a patient batting display. But ironically, it was Misbah who was the villain for Pakistan as after almost winning it for Pakistan. He attempted a cheeky ‘Scoop-hit’ off Joginder Sharma in the last over with 6 to win off 3 balls, and Sreesanth took a comfortable catch to trigger celebrations throughout India, leaving a dejected Misbah to think as to what might have been!

Carlton and United series, 2000, Brisbane:

Saqlain pulls off the impossible with Waqar Younis in 2000!

India, who were having a torrid Australian tourney in 2000, looked like ending the win drought in the their group fixture against Pakistan, who were left reeling at 153/8. India looked set to notch up one of their very few wins of that tour. Earlier, India had been all out for a humble 195, after half centuries from Saurav Ganguly and Robin Singh helped India reach the total, and looked like defending it successfully when Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar struck sudden form to leave Pakistan’s batting in tatters. After Yousuf Youhana’s departure, all looked lost for Pakistan, with only 2 wickets in hand and 43 more required in 41 balls. However, Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis forged an unlikely 9th wicket partnership, scoring the required 43 in brave fashion, and helped Pakistan to a famous victory with an over to spare.

Independence Cup, 3rd final, 1998, Dhaka :

Sourav Ganguly scored a brilliant 124

With, the two arch rivals meeting in the title-deciding 3rd final, Pakistan put up a mammoth 314 on board as the Indian bowling attack couldn’t budge Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed, who both scored tons. India started off brightly, as Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar smashed a hapless Aaquib Javed around the park. After Tendulkar’s dismissal, Ganguly led the show with a display of world class batting(which included 11 fours and a six) and formed a crucial partnership with Robin Singh(82 off 83 balls). Though, Ganguly later departed after scoring a magnificent 124, it was Hrishikesh Kanitkar who came to India’s rescue. With India needing 3 off the last 2 balls Kanitkar scored a last gasp boundary under tremendous pressure, to help India win a cliff hanger and win the Independence Cup.

Though, there have been many other classic contests, like the 1999 World Cup match at Edgbaston (Prasad and his 5 wicket haul!) and Saleem Malik doing a ‘Miandad’ for Pakistan at Calcutta in 1997, the above matches certainly deserve their place in great India – Pakistan cricket clashes!