For many years, the India-Pakistan match was the most important in cricket. Every time these two teams meet, an entertaining game is guaranteed. Given the political tensions between the two countries, the meeting is not very common. The teams, on the other hand, always give it their all whenever they play. In this article, we will have a look at some of the most thrilling ODI matches between India and Pakistan.
#3 ODI World Cup 2003, Centurion
In 2003, Sachin Tendulkar scored one of the greatest innings in an ODI World Cup at Centurion. Pakistan had set a competitive target of 274 for India to chase, and with Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar in the team, Pakistan entered the innings break with high confidence. All of that was quickly shattered as Tendulkar raced out of the blocks to blow Pakistan out of the water.
His upper-cut six against Shoaib Akhtar in the second innings gave Indian fans a memory for a lifetime. He punished their front-line bowlers and did not spare the other bowlers, hitting 98 off 75 balls. Cramps got the better of him, and a hobbling Tendulkar fell two runs short of his century. Despite this, India cruised to victory with more than four overs to spare.
#2 ODI World Cup 1996, Bangalore
In this epic 1996 ODI World Cup match, India triumphed and eliminated the tournament’s reigning champion, Pakistan. The night’s highlight, however, was the fierce battle between India’s Venkatesh Prasad and Pakistan’s Aamir Sohail. During Pakistan’s chase of India’s total of 287, the two had several ugly exchanges, with the Pakistani southpaw coming out on top in the majority of them.
Sohail had already raced to 50 in the 15th over and had a finger-pointing confrontation with Prasad in the fifth ball of the over after smacking a four on the off side. Prasad didn’t seem bothered, as he disturbed Sohail’s off stump in the next ball and gave the Pakistani a brief but fierce send-off. India went on to defeat Pakistan by a margin of 39 runs.
This was India’s first bilateral series tour to Pakistan since 1997. The five-match One-Day International series began with a bang as India scored 349/7, with Rahul Dravid top-scoring with 99. With such a massive total, India would have felt confident, but the host had other plans. Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq led from the front with a superb 122, and he was ably supported by Mohammad Yousuf (73), Younis Khan (46), and Abdul Razzaq (27 of 16).
As Pakistan was on its way to a commanding victory, fast-bowling duo Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra slowed the chase with crucial wickets. Pakistan lost by five runs in a run-fest of a game that both teams deserved to win.