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Among the most fierce and well-known rivalries in sports is the one in cricket between India and Pakistan (IND vs. PAK). With a history spanning nearly forty years, this rivalry has resulted in many memorable games, with every meeting being more exciting than the last. Here, we take a look back at five of the finest games ever between these two titans of cricket.
Top 5 most thrilling IND vs. PAK rivalry encounters:
1. 1992: India wins by 43 Runs in Sydney
As strange as it may seem, Pakistan and India did not play against each other in the first four World Cups. At the revered Sydney Cricket Ground, under floodlights and wearing colourful apparel, the rivalry’s first chapter was written. A young Sachin Tendulkar, playing in his debut World Cup, helped the Indian team reach 216/7 in 49 overs by hitting a crucial 54 off 62 balls while batting first. Aaqib Javed scored two runs and Mushtaq Ahmed claimed three wickets for Pakistan.
With a strong bowling team, India was able to contain Pakistan for just 173 runs in 48.1 overs by defending 217 runs. In addition to Tendulkar and Venkatapathy Raju, Kapil Dev, Manoj Prabhakar, and Javagal Srinath also claimed two wickets apiece. Even after Javed Miandad’s controversial confrontation with Kiran More, Aamer Sohail’s half-century (62 off 95 balls) and Javed Miandad’s 40 were insufficient. This game not only initiated a legendary rivalry in World Cup history, but it also established the standard for future matches’ intensity.
2. 1996: India wins by 39 Runs in Bengaluru
The longtime rivals faced battle in a knockout match for the first time in the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal. One of the main discussion points was Wasim Akram’s injury absence. While Ajay Jadeja’s vicious attack on Waqar Younis at the end drove India to 287/8 in 50 overs, Navjot Sidhu’s impressive 93 off 115 balls gave them a strong start.
Thanks to Saeed Anwar and Sohail, Pakistan responded by storming to 84/0 in ten overs. The moment that would go on forever as a World Cup moment was when Venkatesh Prasad bowled Sohail after teasing him. Miandad’s World Cup career ended in disappointment as India secured a spectacular victory because to the outstanding bowling of Prasad and Anil Kumble on their home ground, despite opposition from Saleem Malik and Miandad.
3. 1999: India Win by 47 Runs in Manchester
There were strong emotional overtones to this World Cup match because of the Kargil War’s backdrop. In the World Cup, India defeated Pakistan 3-0 at Old Trafford. With a fast-finishing 45 from Sachin Tendulkar and fifty-two from skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid, India managed to reach 227/5.
With Saeed Anwar’s 36 leading Pakistan’s pursuit, the innings unravelled when Prasad removed him. Along with Javagal Srinath, Prasad took five wickets, devastating Pakistan’s middle order and knocking them out for 180 with 27 balls remaining.
4. 2003: India Win by Six Wickets in Centurion
Political concerns hindered bilateral ties during the 2003 India-Pakistan World Cup match, which is regarded as the greatest contest ever played at Centurion. Pursuing 273 in the World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar produced what may have been his finest performance of the tournament, a brilliant 98 that eclipsed Saeed Anwar’s century. Tendulkar’s variety of blows against Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis, and Wasim Akram was a batting masterclass.
Tendulkar, who suffered cramping that prevented him from reaching a century, nevertheless created the groundwork for Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid to lead India to a convincing victory. Tendulkar’s innings were cemented in the annals of cricket history as this match helped India defeat Pakistan 4-0 in the World Cup.
5. 2022: Kohli Powers India’s Uncanny Run-Chase at MCG
A memorable show was the 2022 T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan. India was in serious difficulty at 31/4 while chasing 160 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Nevertheless, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya came together to save the innings with 113 runs.
Pandya left the game, but Kohli’s incredible 82* off 53 balls—six fours and four sixes—led India to one of their biggest T20I cricket triumphs. This match will be remembered for years to come thanks to Kohli’s innings, which was praised as one of the greatest in T20 World Cup history.
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