World Cup History: Down the memory lane of the India-Pakistan rivalry  

India versus Pakistan - nothing gets bigger than this in a World Cup game. Both countries have shared a rich vein of history and would try every bit to win the game as it is seen as a matter of pride than a normal game of cricket.

The environment around the game adds a bit of fuel as the recent activities across borders have caused tension which created few ripples about India forfeiting the game. But thankfully the game will go one provided the rain gods relent from showing up on Sunday.

The arch-rivals share a rich history in cricket's biggest tournament. Although the matches have been competitive, India shares a huge 6-0 lead and would want to make it 7-nil. Pakistan would be hoping to be lucky at least for the seventh time.

With the game expected to be a thrilling one, let's look back at the previous encounters between these two in World Cup history.

---

#1 1992 - Tendulkar's all-around display wins it for India

Miandad's frog jump was mocking Kiran More

Despite both teams playing in every World Cup since its inception, India's first World Cup match against Pakistan came only in 1992. Both India and Pakistan were desperate for a win as they were placed in the bottom half of the table.

Batting first, India had a slow start to the innings. Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja build a partnership before leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed came in to dismantle the batting line up. Sachin Tendulkar stood firm at one end as his unbeaten 54 took the total to 216/7.

India struck with the new ball, picking up two crucial wickets. Experienced Javed Miandad along with Aamir Sohail steadied the innings. It was Tendulkar who provided the crucial breakthrough by dismissing the Sohail. The innings derailed after that wicket as they lost eight wickets for 68 runs. India won the encounter by 43 runs.

#2 1996 - The famous Venkatesh Prasad-Aamir Sohail feud

India knocked out Pakistan in the 1996 WC

India took on Pakistan in the quarter-finals of the 1996 World Cup at Bangalore. The visitors had a huge blow before the start of the match as Wasim Akram was ruled out hours before the toss. India was off to a flying start courtesy Navjot Singh Sidhu, who top scored with a 93.

Other batsmen failed to convert starts as India lost wickets in the middle overs. Ajay Jadeja then played a blinder of an innings as his 25-ball 45 boosted the total to 287. The aggressive duo of Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar attacked the Indian bowlers as the team muscled to 84 in 10 overs.

Sohail hit a boundary through cover and gestured to Venkatesh Prasad that he would continue to target the same region. But Prasad sent him packing to the dressing him as he was cleaned up in the following delivery.

Pakistan couldn't recover from it as the defending champions were knocked out by India.

#3 1999 - Bangalore boys bowl India to a famous win

Indians dominated the 1999 clash

Batting first on a beautiful day at Manchester, India's openers Sachin Tendulkar and Sadagoppan Ramesh weathered the storm from the new ball pair of Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akthar. Tournament's best batsman Rahul Dravid and captain Mohammad Azharuddin scored half-centuries to end the innings at 227/6.

First few overs were considered to be crucial as Pakistan had a destructive opening duo of Anwar and Shahid Afridi who could take the game away in a matter of few overs. Javagal Srinath struck twice in first 10 overs. His Karnataka colleague Venkatesh Prasad joined the party to pick up the key wickets of Saleem Malik and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Another Bangalore guy Anil Kumble joined the party with a couple of wickets. Prasad ended up with figures of 5/27 as he was awarded the man of the match award. India won the match by 47 runs.

#4 2003 - A Tendulkar special outclass Pakistan

Sachin's 98 is one of the greatest knocks in WC history

The build-up to the game was massive. Battle lines were drawn between Sachin Tendulkar and a deadly bowling trio of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akthar, and Waqar Younis. Pakistan batted first on a placid Centurion track.

Saeed Anwar played an excellent knock as his century helped Pakistan put a competitive score of 273. Sachin took the first strike in the run chase. He meant business from the first shot as he stood tall and punched the ball through covers with class oozing through it. Then came the shot of the tournament as he hit Akhtar for an iconic six over point.

Akthar over-compensated the line as Tendulkar played a fine leg glance. Frustrated by the attack, the bowler increased the pace, but the master played his trademark on-drive for another boundary. Sachin never relented the attack as he ended up with a 75-ball-98. Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh took the team home as India stream-rolled past their arch-rivals.

#5 2011 - A semi-final bigger than the final

Indians celebrate the wicket of Umar Akmal

When political tensions were at an all-time high, India and Pakistan clashed in the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup. People from both countries wanted their players to win this game more than the final.

Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat first on the big day. Virender Sehwag continued his good form as India raced to 50 in six overs. Sachin Tendulkar was fortunate on the day as he was dropped four times. Despite losing wickets in a heap towards the end, India put up a respectable 260.

Indian bowlers were on the mark as they never let Pakistan batsmen score freely. Just when the game was in balance Yuvraj Singh picked up two wickets in two overs to tilt it in India's favor. Misbah-ul-Haq kept fighting a losing battle as Pakistan lost the match by 29 runs.

India's win over arch-rivals gave huge confidence as Dhoni's men beat Sri Lanka to lift the cup.

#6 2015 - India's bright start to the title defense

Kohli's knock gave the impetus for an India win

India started their title defense of the 2015 World Cup against Pakistan. Both teams wanted to start the campaign on a winning note and a win over arch-rivals would do a world of good to their confidence.

Virat Kohli scored a magnificent century under pressure to help India post 300 on board. He was well supported by Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina with their 70s. Having not known for chasing huge targets, Pakistan needed someone to play through the innings while others bat around him.

But it never happened as they kept losing wickets regularly. It was Misbah-ul-Haq once again who was up and ready for the challenge. Although, the Pakistan captain lacked support as the likes of Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi played loose shots to get out.

India won the game by a comfortable margin of 76 runs and gained the much-needed confidence after being winless in their previous ODI series.