Enthralling encounters and exciting finishes

Five of India's finest ODI victories over Pakistan

March 29, 2011 02:47 am | Updated 03:08 am IST - NEW DELHI:

REGAL TOUCH: Sachin Tendulkar was simply unstoppable during India's memorable run chase against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup game at Centurion.

REGAL TOUCH: Sachin Tendulkar was simply unstoppable during India's memorable run chase against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup game at Centurion.

Without doubt, nothing gives the majority of Indian fans more joy than the country's conquests over Pakistan. The two former Worldchampions have fought several enthralling battles and given immense joy, by turns, to their fanatic supporters.

With another close encounter on the cards at Mohali on Wednesday, it is time to recall five of India's finest victories over Pakistan, all accomplished in the face of nerve-wracking tension, overbearing expectations and rising odds.

March 22, 1985 (Sharjah): Four-nation Rothman's Cup: India won by 38 runs.

Fresh from winning the World Championship of Cricket (WCC) in Australia, India was riding high.

However, Pakistan skittled out India for 125 with Ravi Shastri perishing off the first ball. Imran Khan caused the maximum damage with a spell of six for 14. Only Azharuddin (47), Kapil Dev (30) and Madan Lal (11) managed to reach double figures.

The long lunch break, to accommodate Friday prayers, gave the Indians time for a siesta.

“It was an incredible win against all odds. Imran bowled with the breeze, bending it in and seaming it away, but I remember it for Sunny bhai's (Gavaskar) four catches. We had a slender chance, but when Kapil (Dev) asked us to give it our best shot, the team responded brilliantly. After the first wicket, I remember telling Sunny that we can make it. We really made it,” recalled wicketkeeper Sadanand Viswanath.

India kept up the pressure by getting wickets at regular intervals. The formidable Pakistan batting line-up, which included Mudassar Nazar, Mohsin Khan, Rameez Raja, Salim Malik and Javed Miandad, folded up for just 87.

All the five Indian bowlers got wickets, with Kapil leading the list with three. “Our supporters had melted once we collapsed, but they returned when wickets fell. In the end, we had solid support from the stands,” said Visvanath.

Incidentally, this remains the lowest scoring match between the two nations.

March 9, 1996 (Bangalore): World Cup quarterfinals: India won by 39 runs.

This was the first World Cup clash in the sub-continent between the two teams. The Garden city, for once, sat on a power keg, waiting to explode.

“I can never forget the tension. The whole of India wanted us to win. You can't get away from this pressure of winning against Pakistan at all costs. We played like a team and won. It was one of the finest moments of my life. My wife told me that no less than 5,000 people celebrated outside my house in Patiala after the victory,” recollected Sidhu.

The match produced Indian heroes like Sidhu, Ajay Jadeja and Venkatesh Prasad. Jadeja (45) singling out Waqar Younis for special treatment was easily the highlight of the tie. India scored 287 for eight with Sidhu (93) laying the foundation.

When Pakistan began its chase under lights, Aamer Sohail (55) and Saeed Anwar (48) provided the right start before the latter perished. Sohail's intimidating gesture after hitting Prasad for a boundary met with a fitting response from the genial bowler. He castled the left-hander to bring India back into the match. Pakistan slipped from 113 for one to 184 for five and finished at 239 for nine.

September 30, 1997 (Karachi): Second ODI: India won by four wickets.

This was one of India's finest victories on Pakistan soil. Chasing 265, it reached home in the final over — its 47th — in a match that witnessed crowd interruption no less than four times. Poor over-rate, delay in third umpire decisions and on-field injury all contributed to the long drama.

Opener Shahid Afridi (72) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (74) played key roles in Pakistan setting up a stiff target. India responded well with Sourav Ganguly (89) and Vinod Kambli (53) showing their mettle.

A middle-order collapse, however, left India gasping. Robin Singh (31 not out) and wicketkeeper Syed Saba Karim (26) then put the visitor back on the rails and took the team close to victory.

The hero of India's memorable triumph was, without doubt, Rajesh Chauhan . The gutsy off-spinner smashed a six off a full toss from Saqlain Mushtaq to stun and silence the vociferous crowd at the National Stadium. This was India's answer to Javed Miandad's last-ball six in the 1986 Australasia Cup final at Sharjah.

“Vinod (Kambli) gave me his bat as I joined Robin. All Robin said to me was “give me the strike.” Moin (Khan) kept chirping from behind but I knew what I had to do. I hit a six as Saqlain attempted a yorker from round the stumps. Robin still wanted the strike and I gave it to him. He hit a four to finish the match. We played holi with two huge cakes in the dressing room,” remembered Chauhan.

January 18, 1998 (Dhaka): Independence Cup, third final: India won by three wickets.

India set up the then World record for successfully chasing down Pakistan's 314 for five in this 48-over contest. In fading light, it was Hrishikesh Kanitkar who shone the brightest as he hit Saqlain for a four off the penultimate delivery of the match.

Pakistan seemed to be comfortably placed following centuries from Saeed Anwar (140) and Ijaz Ahmed (117), but India raced to 250 for one in 38 overs after losing Sachin Tendulkar. The chief architects of the chase were Ganguly (124) and Robin (82).

Wickets tumbled in a heap as India slipped to 306 for seven and needed nine off the final over. With Javagal Srinath for company, Kanitkar provided a perfect finish to the contest.

“Srinath warned me not to miss the ball. Do whatever but connect. It was on my mind — to connect at any cost! It was pitch dark and I knew my strong areas — midwicket or behind the bowler's back.

“Honestly, I did not feel any pressure because I was really focused. I connected the ball (on the front foot) and the roar from the dressing room could be heard in the middle! It was a lovely feeling to have done it with some of my idols around in the team,” said Kanitkar.

March 1, 2003 (Centurion): World Cup league game: India won by six wickets.

This was easily India's biggest run-chase against Pakistan in the World Cup. “The pressure was immense and we wanted to win it for our countrymen,” was Tendulkar's reaction. He nonchalantly smashed the bowlers around and the team won in style, burying the Pakistan challenge under a flurry of breathtaking strokes.

Anwar's century was instrumental in Pakistan reaching 273 for seven. The Pakistan attack, comprising Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Younis, Afridi and Abdul Razzaq was ready to test India's batting might. A resolute Tendulkar took strike against Akram and showed the way, meeting fire with fire.

Sehwag complemented his hero with a quick 21 as India touched 50 off just 32 balls. Sehwag and Ganguly's dismissals off successive deliveries did not deter Tendulkar.

A century stand with Mohammad Kaif in quick time kept up the momentum and Tendulkar inched towards a well-deserved century. He, however, fell for 98.

Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid then added 99 to give India a dominating triumph. The team partied late into the night with Tendulkar displaying rare emotions.

This win remains the closest to his heart. “A special one,” he says.

The result also maintained India's unbeaten record against Pakistan in four World Cup games.

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