5 memorable India-Pakistan World Cup matches

Cricket matches between India and Pakistan are more like a battle between two major cricket following nations. The cricket field becomes a war zone when both these countries are playing against each other. Here is a compilation of 5 of the most memorable World Cup encounters between India and pakistan regardless of the formats.

#5 2011 World Cup semi-final

India and Pakistan were facing each other in the semi-final of World Cup 2011 at Mohali, Chandigarh. India, batting first, had posted a total of 260 runs. Sachin Tendulkar, who had looked in sublime touch till then, found the going difficult. He still managed to score 85, though, courtesy of a shocking fielding display from the Pakistanis, who messed up as many as 3 opportunities. Adding to that, the Universal Decision Review System (UDRS) came to his rescue twice. India, inspired of Yuvraj Singh's bowling performance, won this match by 29 runs by bowling out Pakistan. Umar Akmal could very well have taken the match away from the home team on that day if not for Harbhajan Singh's faster delivery that sent him back to the pavilion.

#4 2007 T20 World Cup final

After an engrossing bowl-out in the group match of the tournament, India and Pakistan met again in the finals of 2007 T20 World Cup. India won the toss and elected to bat first. With the help of a 75 from opener Gautam Gambhir, India were able to manage a total of 157 on the board. Misbah-ul-Haq's breathtaking assault on Harbhajan Singh helped Pakistan claw back into the match after faltering early in the chase. Pakistan, with only one wicket in hand, needed 13 runs from the last six balls.

Captain MS Dhoni showed signs of what was follow in days to come by entrusting Joginder Sharma with the last over duties. Just when it all seemed over for India as Misbah launched into Joginder, carting him for a six straight back over his head, a brain freeze from the batsman gifted the Cup to India. Trying to scoop a length delivery, Misbah could not manage to get the ball past Shanthakumaran Sreesanth stationed at the short fine-leg position.

#3 2007 T20 World Cup

Not many were sure of what to expect from the tournament since it was the first of its kind. With the senior Indian players opting out, India had sent in a young team under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The match between India and Pakistan, who were grouped together in the first round, ended up in a draw, leading to a bowl-out to determine the winner. India opted for part-timers, who were bang on the target, while Pakistan's frontline bowlers failed to hit the stumps even once. (Bowl-out: 3-0)

#2 2003 Cricket World Cup

Pakistan and India were facing each other after a long gap of three years. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. The centurion stadium was jam-packed for this match. Pakistan, powered by a century from Saeed Anwar, made a total of 273, a match-winning one on the pacy South African pitches. Nobody gave India a chance against a bowling attack that boasted the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar. What followed, though, was nothing short of sensational. Tendulkar blazed his way to 98 in no time to guide India to a rather comfortable victory. After the departure of Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh made sure the team did not lose track of the target.

#1 1996 Wills World Cup quarter-final

India and Pakistan faced each other in the quarter-finals of the 1996 Wills World Cup at Bangalore. After 1989, this was the first match that Pakistan played on Indian soil. Batting first, India posted a total of 287. Navjot Singh Sidhu contributed a magnificient 93 to the team score. India won by 39 runs courtesy of an impressive bowling performance. This victory was made even more memorable because it happened to be India's first win over Pakistan since the 1992 World Cup.

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Edited by Staff Editor