MUMBAI :
Mauka Mania on Star Sports, India’s sports broadcaster, is giving Indian cricket fans the opportunity to go back in time and relive some of the best matches of the World Cup clashes between India and Pakistan.
ICC World Cup 2003, India vs Pakistan:
The two cricketing rivals met once more in 2003 at the historic Centurion Cricket Stadium in South Africa. Despite the attempts to downplay it as just another World Cup fixture, the tension in the air was palpable and definitely unmistakeable. Winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat and scored a quickfire 50 runs in 59 balls within the first 41 minutes and ultimately scored a fighting 273 runs with the loss of 7 wickets.
After the resumption of proceedings, the Indian opening duo, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar launched a blitzkrieg against the Pakistani attack as they made 50 runs in 32 balls within the first 25 minutes. After Sehwag’s dismissal, the Pakistani bowlers tried everything in their power to to send Tendulkar back to the pavilion but Sachin was at his sublime best falling 2 runs short of a historic ton. India completed yet another victory over a deflated Pakistan side by 6 wickets.
ICC World Cup 2011, India vs Pakistan:
After a 15-year gap, Pakistan returned to India for the 2011 ICC World Cup. The semi-final clash between the two teams was one of the most anticipated matches with fans of both teams filling the stadium to support their teams in Mohali. Winning the toss, team India decided to bat first.
The mouthwatering clash between batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and wily off spin bowler Saeed Ajmal made the match a must watch entertainment for all the cricket lovers. In the initial overs of the Indian innings, Sachin was struggling to pick up Ajmal’s bowling variations. Pakistan who could have sent him back to the pavilion early in his innings dropped Tendulkar at least 4 times and Sachin rode his luck to a chancy 85 runs.
ICC World Cup 2019, India vs Pakistan:
The last unforgettable meeting between the frenemies took place a year ago in the 2019 World Cup in England. This time, the gulf between the two teams was enormous and India fielded a side that had balance, a bowling and batting line up that was not just impressive but downright scary. Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first. The difference in the level of talent was clearly evident when Rohit Sharma treated all Pakistan bowlers with disdain and scored a rapid 140 runs at a strike rate of almost 124.
The Indian Skipper, Virat Kohli also decided to free his arms and scored 77 off just 65 balls. India eventually ran up the score to a massive 336 for the loss of 5 wickets which put the pressure on Pakistan right from Ball 1. Rain played spoilt sport and delayed the start of the second innings. When play resumed, India showed their strength in all areas of the game and dominated from ball 1. The modified target of 302 runs from 40 overs was just too much to chase for Pakistan when they lost opener Iman-ul-Haq with just 13 runs on the board. India continued to flex their muscles and pick up wickets at key intervals and in the end won the match comfortably by 89 runs.
1992 Cricket World Cup, India vs Pakistan
India locked horns with Pakistan for the first time on the biggest stage of them all 9 years after they had won their maiden World Cup. The match was decorated with some impressive performances from Sachin Tendulkar and Ajay Jadeja who scored 54 and 46 respectively that pushed India to 216/7 after opting to bat at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Pakistan fell way short of the target.
Javed Miandad’s snail-paced 40 off 110 balls added to the frequent loss of wicket which only upped the pressure. While India cruised to a 43-run victory, this match will always be remembered for Miandad jumping and trying to mimic India’s Kiran More as the wicketkeeper continuously tried to disrupt his momentum with some chatter.
1996 Cricket World Cup, India vs Pakistan:
The 1996 World Cup saw it being staged across India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka which are the three main cricket playing countries of the Indian sub-continent.
The pressure on all three nations to lift the trophy was tremendous and the fan support was at a level never seen before. With all three teams starting strong, the stage was set for a cracker between India and Pakistan on the 9th of March. Even before the toss took place, India gained a huge advantage when captain Wasim Akram pulled out of the match with an injury.
Missing their strike bowler Pakistan were under the gun straightaway when Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar stitched a 90-run stand. However, after both were back in the pavilion, it was left to Ajay Jadeja to play a blinder and ensure India reached a highly competitive 287 runs on the board. In response, Pakistan got off to a flyer, with opening duo Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar taking the Indian fast bowling attack to the cleaners, scoring 84 runs in the first 10 overs.
Even after the fall of Saeed Anwar, Sohail brought up his fifty but after hitting a boundary through the covers sledged Prasad and pointed to the boundary which led to the crowd loudly booing this gesture. That however, was his last act for the day as he was cleaned up in the very next delivery by Prasad who gave him a mouthful and sent him on his way making the Chinnaswamy faithful erupted in joy. Fortunes shifted and India kept up the pressure eventually winning the match by 39 runs sending the crowd into rapture.
