Top 3 Most Memorable Matches in Asia Cup in the Last Decade

#1 India vs Pakistan, 2010 (Round Robin)

India v Australia - 1st ODI

The rivalry between India and Pakistan is such that it always brings the best out of players, with the matches most often than not producing high-quality drama and nail-biting finishes. It was one such match played between the arch-rivals in the group stage of Asia Cup, 2010 as Pakistan was playing to keep their chances alive in the tournament and India looking to seal a spot in the final.

The match began with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat first. The Shahid Afridi led side went on to have a solid start as the now tainted opener, Salman Butt and Imran Farhat stitched together a partnership of 71 runs in 16 overs. Pakistan was well on course to score 300 as their top 3 gave them a solid platform.

However, India triggered a mini-collapse in the middle overs and brought the match right in balance with Pakistan team reduced to 159-4 from 144-1. Despite, Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal's efforts down the order, Indian bowling was very disciplined as they restricted Pakistan for 267/10 in 49.3 overs. Zaheer Khan was the pick of the bowlers with the figures of 9.3-0-41-2.

India, in reply, began their chase rather cautiously and their job got tougher with Sehwag picking up a hip injury. However, the duo survived the Pakistani storm and managed to score 46 runs without losing any wicket in the first ten overs. However, Sehwag couldn't survive long as he nicked an Abdul Razzak delivery which the keeper grabbed comfortably bringing an end to an innings you just cannot relate to "The Virender Sehwag" (10 runs off 32 balls).

However, his partner in crime, Gautam Gambhir looked in great touch as him and MS Dhoni joined hands to keep India on track and negating Pakistan's quality spin attack. But just when India looked in total control with only 89 required off last 15 overs, Saeed Ajmal bowled Gambhir and kept his side in the contest.

But everyone knew till the time MS Dhoni is at the crease, India is the favourite to win. But just then, India was struck with a double blow. First, Rohit Sharma defence was breached by Shahid Afridi to get him out lbw and in the very next over, Shoaib Malik priced out MSD's wicket in the unlikeliest manner. It was a full toss going down the leg as MS tried to sweep it fine, but unfortunately, he was early in his shot as the ball hit the angular part of the back of the bat and went on to hit the stumps.

After MSD's freakish dismissal, India was under immense pressure as they still required 56 off last 7 overs. By the end of 44 overs, India had managed 218 runs for the loss of 5 wickets with Suresh Raina and Ravinder Jadeja still new to the crease. But as the time was ticking India took batting powerplay and Pakistani captain, Shahid Afridi gave the ball to his best bowler, Shoaib Akhtar.

Akhtar bowled a cracker of an over as he gave only 1 run and it was followed by Saeed Ajmal getting rid of Jadeja in the very first ball of the next over. Everyone supporting India went quiet as they all thought the match is over. Bhajji took a single on the next ball and gave the strike to Raina and within a matter of 4 balls, Raina changed the disappointment into hope.

He used the pace of the ball to perfection and placed the ball between point and third man for four, sneaked in a couple on the fourth delivery, survived an lbw shout on the fifth and smashing the final delivery into the stands for a six. The equation came down to 36 off 4 overs.

Everyone thought Harbhajan should just give the strike to Raina, however, Harbhajan had different plans. He smoked the second delivery of the 47th over from Akhtar for a huge SIX!!! Bhajji couldn't score a run on the 3rd ball as well. But the pressure of an Indo-Pak game was visible as Akhtar's attempted slower delivery went horribly wrong and Raina sneaked in to get a run on the resultant wide. However, Akhtar managed to keep things in control and gave away only 9 runs.

The 48th over was bowled by Mohammed Amir and India managed to get 11 runs from the over with the help of one 4 and 2 wides. By the end of 48th over India needed 16 runs to win and Akhtar was going to bowl the penultimate over. Raina smoked Akhtar for a six off the very 1st delivery, however, Akhtar came back strongly to give away only 9 runs in the over.

But as the pressure intensified on both the sides, Akhtar gave Bhajji an earful before the umpires stepped in. The Last over was again bowled by Amir and Raina could only manage a single on the first ball. India needed 6 off 5. On the next ball, Harbhajan's swing couldn't meet the ball and Raina rushed to get the strike back in desperation only to get run-out as Kamran Akmal's underarm throw crashed the stumps.

Praveen Kumar was the next man in with people losing hope of India's win as the altercation between Akhtar and Bhajji continuing in between. PK managed to place the ball towards third man for a single, however, a fumble from Akhtar gave India the chance to get an extra run. The next ball Praveen got a single and Harbhajan Singh was on strike with India needing 3 off 2.

And that's when came the big moment, Harbhajan Singh absolutely smoked Amir for a huge six of the penultimate ball and seal the match for India and knocked Pakistan out of the tournament. It was absolutely a cracker of a match which reminded the world what an Indo-Pak match is like.