As cricket’s biggest rivalry- Pakistan vs India WT20 2016 clash is just rapping at the door, let’s relive the memories of five most memorable encounters between Pakistan and India.
Though, Green Shirt are yet to beat India, its arch rival in an ICC event, they have done it record 20 times out 26 encounters, when the sides met at famous Sharjah ground.
Good enough time as any to recall some classic India v Pakistan cricket matches – and what memories they gave fans on both sides of the border.
- India overcome Imran
India only managed to beat Pakistan six times out of 26 in Sharjah, and their most famous win came in a low-scoring affair on March 22, 1985. Having opted to field on a greenish track, Imran Khan bowled outstandingly to claim 6 for 14 as India were bowled out for 125. Ravi Shastri started the slide with a first-ball duck, and only three batsmen made it to double figures. As Rameez Raja admitted years later, Pakistan were so assured of victory that they became complacent. From 35 for 1, they proceeded to fold for a paltry 87 to hand India a 38-run win.
- The shot heard around the world
This is the match no Indian will ever be allowed to forget. You all know about it: One ball, four to win, full toss, hysteria. At Sharjah on April 18, 1986, Pakistan were chasing 246 to win the Austral-Asia Cup. From 215 for 7, they were carried to the final over by Javed Miandad, that maverick who was never one to back down. Batting out of his skin, Miandad held his nerve while Chetan Sharma lost his, serving up a full toss off the final ball which Miandad duly swung away for six. It would take years before India managed to shake the psychological scars of that match.
- Aaqib outdoes India
One of the more famous pub quiz questions on India-Pakistan cricket is ‘who were Aaqib Javed’s hat-trick victims at Sharjah in 1991?’ The answer: Shastri, Azharuddin and Tendulkar. On October 25, 1991, during the final of the Wills Trophy, Pakistan piled up the highest score of the tournament, 262 for 6, and handed it over to Aaqib. Starting off by getting Navjot Sidhu in his first over, Aaqib rocked India with a hat-trick in his third, each lbw. He finished with figures of 7 for 37 as Pakistan comfortably won by 72 runs.
- A Karachi classic
The first match of a historic tour to Pakistan in 2004 ended with India beating the hosts by five runs. In front of a capacity crowd of 33,000 India were oddly asked to bat and, led by Sehwag’s 59-ball 77 and 99 from Dravid – bowled by Shoaib, of course – made a daunting 349, aided by 30 extras. From 34 for 2, Pakistan were pushed by the genius of Inzamam, who made 122 off 102. A stunning tumbling catch from Mohammad Kaif kick-started the slide, and the equation came down to nine from the final over. Ashish Nehra held his nerve, dismissing Moin Khan with a full toss off the final ball, prompting Ganguly to quip: “Thank God there was no Miandad batting.”
5. When Afridi boom-boomed India
The sixth match of Asia Cup March 2, 2014 which proved to quarter-final for both sides, Pakistan skipper Misbah ul Haq preferred to bowl first and restricted India to 245, courtesy to spin trio, Ajmal (40-3), Hafeez (38-2) and Afridi (38-0). Only Sharma (56), Rayadu (58) and Jadeja (52*) clicked from star-studden Indian batting lineup.
Despite a good start from Pakistan top order with Sharjeel (25), Shehzad (42) and Hafeez (75), Pakistan were on the verge of a humiliating defeat as a result of middle-order collapse. But Afridi who had kept his nerves and watched tail-ender losing wickets, wanted just a moment to turn the table. And -Then came the moment, Junaid Khan gave him the crucial single which skipper Dhoni will always regret. The single brought Afridi on strike, with last 4 balls remaining and 9 more runs required with last wicket standing… The bowler was Ashwin, who had already taken three wickets, Ashwin cme round the wicket, bowled carom-ball, and Afridi whacked it for six over extra….!!! The roaring Indian crowd stood still. Pakistan still needed 3 runs off three balls, a wave of life had ran through Pakistan dug out. Ashwin, spinning the ball from one to another hand, looking around at the field, went with the same angle again and bowled a tossed up delivery, hoping a top edge from Afridi, and so it happened, Afridi swung the bat, hardest ever he did in his life, the ball took the top edge and flew over mid-on for another SIX!
This was when Ramiz Raja sang AFRIDI YOU BEAUTYYYYYYYYYY..!!! What a win!!!
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