What happened the last time India played Pakistan in a home ODI World Cup game?

The stage is set for the biggest game of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup so far, to be played between India and Pakistan. The arch-rivals are slated to square off at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in less than 24 hours time and the buzz surrounding the encounter is quite intense.

Both teams have started off their World Cup campaigns with a couple of victories. The Men in Blue started their campaign with a resounding win against Australia before annihilating Afghanistan in the second encounter.

Pakistan have won both their games so far but had to do it the hard way. Pakistan were challenged against the Netherlands in their opening encounter before huffing and puffing to secure a win in the end.

In their next match, Pakistan's bowling department got a reality check in front of a brutal onslaught by Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis. Sri Lanka posted a massive 345 on the board courtesy of centuries from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

It was breathtaking knocks from Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan which took Pakistan over the finish line. It was also the highest chase in World Cup history and this will certainly give confidence to the Pakistan unit ahead of their big game.

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue have got every area covered. The top order faltered against Australia but fired all cylinders against Afghanistan.

The iconic India vs Pakistan clash in the 2011 World Cup

The last time both these teams locked horns in an ODI World Cup game in India was back in 2011. It was the 2nd semi-final between the two Asian giants played at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali which was eventually won by India.

It was the Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who won the toss and opted to bat. It was the iconic opening duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag who walked out to open the innings.

Sehwag started in a Sehwag-like fashion, smashing the Pakistani bowlers to all corners of the ground. He smashed five boundaries in a Umar Gul over as India looked set to post a massive score.

Tendulkar took his time initially before getting into his act. The opening partnership of 48 came in just 6 overs before Wahab Riaz bowled a superb spell and accounted for the dangerman Sehwag.

Tendulkar led a charmed life all through the day, as he survived a close LBW shout, a stumping call and five dropped chances. The cricket gods were shining brightly and it was his knock of 85 which proved to be the turning moment of the game.

Sachin Tendulkar en route to his match-winning knock of 85 against Pakistan during the 2011 WC semi-final (Pic:AFP)

He shared a good stand with Gautam Gambhir before Saeed Ajmal broke the partnership. Wahab Riaz returned for his second spell and had India in a bit of a strife. He took the wickets of Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh of back-to-back deliveries which derailed India's progress.

Some vital contributions from MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina eventually propelled India to a competitive score of 260 in their allotted 50 overs. Wahab was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, finishing with figures of 5/46 in 10 overs.

The Pakistan openers came out with a positive intent as Kamran Akmal struck a couple of boundaries of Zaheer Khan in the very first over. Hafeez also looked in good touch and shared a 44-run stand before Zaheer made the breakthrough.

Akmal slashed at a length delivery outside off and found Yuvraj Singh at backward point. Asad Shafiq was the next man in and he looked unfazed by the situation. Hafeez was dismissed against the run of play as he tried to ramp a Munaf Patel delivery over fine leg.

The pressure was back on the home team when Shafiq and Younis Khan was stitching a partnership together. It was again the man with a golden arm, Yuvraj Singh who broke the match open with double scalps in the middle overs.

Just when it looked like India was in the ascendancy, it was Umer Akmal who again tilted the scales with a counter-attacking knock. He scored 29 off 24 deliveries which included a four and a couple of sixes.

Harbhajan celebrates with his teammates after bagging the wicket of Umar Akmal (Pic: Getty)

Dhoni had to bring back the experienced Harbhajan Singh and he didn't disappoint. Coming from round the wicket, Harbhajan bowled a perfect arm ball which zipped off the turf and knocked over the stumps of Umar.

Misbah Ul Haq, India's old nemesis was still out there in the middle but it looked like a mountain too steep to climb.

Misbah went on to score a half-century and was the last man dismissed as the Men in Blue won the encounter by 29 runs to set up a final date with Sri Lanka.