XtraTime Web Desk: India vs Pakistan matches have always been pulsating contests over the years not only for the players but also for the two nations. Here www.xtratime.in chooses five ODI matches between the two countries which have gone down on the history pages for its amazing charm and excitement.
Sharjah, 1986
Javed Miandad broke countless Indian hearts with a stunning shot that gave Pakistan, needing four runs off the last ball, a victory to cherish in the final of the Austral-Asia Cup. Chetan Sharma, attempting to york Miandad, saw the ball disappear into the stands behind mid-wicket, and with it began a new chapter in India-Pakistan cricket. Miandad’s knock (116 off 114 balls, three fours and three sixes) was a masterpiece. At no point did he appear in any discomfort and was rarely hustled into playing a false shot. The defeat haunted India for quite some time.
Bangalore, 1996
The city was tense and the cricket administration was on tenterhooks ahead of the World Cup match between India and Pakistan. As the host, the pressure, obviously, was on India, but Pakistan was in no different state. India batted and set up a stiff target of 288, thanks to N. S. Sidhu’s valuable 93 and then a pulsating charge by Ajay Jadeja — 45 off 25 balls — that left Pakistan stunned. Pakistan had the chase under control, but Venkatesh Prasad getting rid of opener Aamer Sohail proved to be the turning point. India won by 39 runs, but it was a closer match than the margin suggests.
Karachi, 1997
This was an acrimonious contest. There was cause for concern for the authorities and the Indian team as crowd trouble erupted. There was not one supporting voice for India when it began its chase of 266 in 47 overs after the innings was stopped following a walkout by the Indian team. Sourav Ganguly and Vinod Kambli took up the challenge and tore into the Pakistan attack with a flurry of rousing shots. A middle-order collapse raised Pakistan’s hopes, but Robin Singh and Saba Karim kept up the good work. When the contest became too close, Rajesh Chauhan silenced the audience by hoisting Saqlain Mushtaq for a six to signal India’s victory.
Dhaka, 1998
A last-over finish can always leave you out of breath. However, a last-over win in poor light when chasing a stiff target can be sweet and memorable. The stadium was rooting for Pakistan with India facing a daunting 315 to win from 48 overs. Sourav Ganguly (124) and Robin Singh (82) swung the game India’s way with a second-wicket stand of 179 runs. India, however, lost its way and was staring at defeat. It all boiled down to the last over as India looked to Hrishikesh Kanitkar. He made no mistake as he clouted Saqlain Mushtaq for a boundary to seal victory in the third final of the Silver Jubilee Independence Cup.
Centurion, 2003
The teams were well matched. It was a placid track and just the platform for a great game of cricket in the World Cup. It turned out to be one. Saeed Anwar slammed a brilliant century that laid the foundation for Pakistan’s 273 for seven. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag gave India a blistering start (53 in 5.4 overs) and Pakistan never recovered from it. Mohammad Kaif, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh built on the marvellous start to finish the game with 26 balls to spare. Tendulkar’s determined assault (98 off 75 balls) was the highlight of India’s glittering show that wonderful night.