Internet Desk: India will look to settle the record against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens. The men in blue have lost all the four matches played against Pakistan. India though enjoy a healthy stats against Pakistan in the ICC World events, having never tasted defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals. India have won all six of their ICC World Cup matches against Pakistan, besides notching up four victories in ICC World T20 (three outright wins and a victory via bowl-out after the match ended in a tie in 2007) against the old foes.
However, Pakistan has a great record at the iconic venue. India has found the going tough against Pakistan on the hallowed turf. They have won all four ODI’s against India at Eden Gardens till date.
Malik’s Mauling: Salim Malik smashed an unbeaten 72 off only 36 balls to script a memorable two wicket victory for Pakistan in the first ever ODI played at this venue on February 18,1987. Imran Khan won the toss and put India in to bat first. Krish Srikant scored a brilliant 123 runs off 103 balls to guide India to 238/6 in 40 overs. Srikant’s innings was decorated with 14 boundaries and one six. Pakistan got a solid start from Younis Ahmed and Rameez Raza as they put on 106 for the first wicket. But wickets at regular intervals brought India into the match until Salim Malik played that blinder to take Pakistan home with 3 balls to spare.
Inspirational Imran: Pakistan registered their second win against India at Eden Gardens on October 28, 1989. The cross border neighbor got the better of India by 77 runs in Nehru Cup. Put into bat Pakistan scored 279/7 in 50 overs. Once again it was the openers who gave Pakistan a great platform. Aamer Malik (51) and Rameez Raza (77) both scored half centuries. But it was some lusty hitting by captain Imran Khan towards the end that took Pakistan well beyond the 250 mark. In reply India too got a great start by Raman Lamba and Srikant as they put 120 runs opening stand. But inspirational captaincy from Imran added with some disciplined bowling by Mustaq Ahmed restricted the Indians to only 202 runs.
Blazing Butt : The next time India took on Pakistan at Eden Gardens was in November 13, 2004 in the BCCI’s Platinum Jubilee match. Opener Salman Butt came up with a superb unbeaten 108 as Pakistan made light of India’s total of 292/6. It was a great batting display from India with Sehwag (53), Ganguly (48) and Laxman (43) making useful contributions to help India post a formidable 292/6. But Pakistan batsmen led by Salman Butt, who scored a magnificent hundred reached the target with 6 balls to spare. There were useful contributions from Inzamam ul Haq (75) and Shoaib Malik(61).
Naseer Jamshed Fires : It was four in a row for Pakistan in ODI’s at this venue. The last time both the sides met was on January 03, 2013 for the 2nd ODI of the series. Indian captain Dhoni chose to field first after winning the toss. But a brilliant hundred from Naseer Jamshed 106 (124) and Md Hafeez’s 76(74) helped Pakistan post a moderate total of 250. Indian batsmen in their run chase was all at sea against the pace of Junaid Khan and the off spin of Saeed Azmal as they were bowled out for just 165 runs giving the arch rivals a comprehensive victory by 85 runs.
Boom Boom Afridi : Under pressure Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi showed once again why he is rated as one of the most destructive batsman. It was one of the most entertaining knocks played at this venue as Afridi powered his way to 49 off only 19 balls missing the all time fastest T20 fifty by a Pakistani batsman. He had four hits to the fence along with four towering sixes. It was due to his innings Pakistan batted Bangladesh out by piling 201 runs in the Super 10 Group 2 match of ICC World T20. In reply Bangladesh could only manage 146/6.