Down to the wire
Cricinfo looks back at the ten most memorable ODIs between India and Pakistan
Faras Ghani
04-Nov-2007
Pakistan and India have a habit of scripting thrilling encounters. Cricinfo looks at ten of the most
exhilarating duels between these two teams, games that will be remembered not
only for the close finishes, but also the excitement and entertainment
that accompanied all through.
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1st match, Four-nation Cup 1985,
Sharjah
India 125 beat Pakistan 87 by 38 runs
A formidable Indian batting line-up was left in tatters by the pace and swing of Imran Khan. He dismissed Ravi Shastri leg-before off the first ball of the match, and had three of his victims caught behind, proof enough of his unplayable bowling. A target of 126 was always within Pakistan's reach, even though they lost their first wicket at 13. However, a double collapse saw them go from 35 for 1 to 41 for 5 and then from 85 for 6 to 87 all out. Kapil Dev, after scoring a dogged 30, proved Pakistan's nemesis with the ball, and captured 3 for 17. Sunil Gavaskar chipped in with four catches, three of them breathtaking.
India 125 beat Pakistan 87 by 38 runs
A formidable Indian batting line-up was left in tatters by the pace and swing of Imran Khan. He dismissed Ravi Shastri leg-before off the first ball of the match, and had three of his victims caught behind, proof enough of his unplayable bowling. A target of 126 was always within Pakistan's reach, even though they lost their first wicket at 13. However, a double collapse saw them go from 35 for 1 to 41 for 5 and then from 85 for 6 to 87 all out. Kapil Dev, after scoring a dogged 30, proved Pakistan's nemesis with the ball, and captured 3 for 17. Sunil Gavaskar chipped in with four catches, three of them breathtaking.
Final, Australasia Cup 1986,
Sharjah
Pakistan 248 for 9 beat India 245 for 7 by 1 wicket
Perhaps the greatest of all ODIs between the two countries, if only because it is the one that first comes to the mind of fans of either country. It will forever be remembered for the last ball of the match, with everything that preceded it - Kris Srikkanth's aggression, Gavaskar's 92, late wickets by Wasim Akram and Imran to restrict India, and even an unbeaten century by Javed Miandad - all swept aside. Chetan Sharma did manage three wickets in the match, but his last delivery, off which Pakistan needed four to win the tournament, was pulled mightily over midwicket and over the boundary by Miandad to spark wild celebrations after an unlikely last-wicket victory.
Pakistan 248 for 9 beat India 245 for 7 by 1 wicket
Perhaps the greatest of all ODIs between the two countries, if only because it is the one that first comes to the mind of fans of either country. It will forever be remembered for the last ball of the match, with everything that preceded it - Kris Srikkanth's aggression, Gavaskar's 92, late wickets by Wasim Akram and Imran to restrict India, and even an unbeaten century by Javed Miandad - all swept aside. Chetan Sharma did manage three wickets in the match, but his last delivery, off which Pakistan needed four to win the tournament, was pulled mightily over midwicket and over the boundary by Miandad to spark wild celebrations after an unlikely last-wicket victory.
2nd ODI, Pakistan in India 1987,
Kolkata
Pakistan 241 for 8 beat India 238 for 6 by 2 wickets
A Srikkanth century inspired the home side to a respectable score, and after Pakistan collapsed to 174 for 6 after a 106-run opening partnership, they needed to score at almost 10 runs an over. Saleem Malik, batting at No.7, tore through the Indian bowling, sharing a 50-run partnership with Akram in which the bowler scored only 3. Smashing 11 fours and a six, including five fours in an over off Kapil, Malik's 36-ball 72 carried Pakistan home with only three balls left.
Pakistan 241 for 8 beat India 238 for 6 by 2 wickets
A Srikkanth century inspired the home side to a respectable score, and after Pakistan collapsed to 174 for 6 after a 106-run opening partnership, they needed to score at almost 10 runs an over. Saleem Malik, batting at No.7, tore through the Indian bowling, sharing a 50-run partnership with Akram in which the bowler scored only 3. Smashing 11 fours and a six, including five fours in an over off Kapil, Malik's 36-ball 72 carried Pakistan home with only three balls left.
Quarter-final, World Cup 1996,
Bangalore
India 287 for 8 beat Pakistan 248 for 9 by 39 runs
A charged-up encounter with a World Cup semi-final spot for the taking received a jolt when Akram, Pakistan's captain, pulled out minutes before the toss. With Ajay Jadeja smashing a 25-ball 45 - Waqar Younis was hammered for 40 off his last two overs - and Navjot Sidhu lumbering his way to 93, the balance had shifted in the favour of the Indians even before the reply began. Although Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail flayed the Indian attack to start off, Sohail's loss of temper and temperament as he tried to assert his authority over Venkatesh Prasad, combined with the batsmen's lack of application saw them succumb to pressure. Anil Kumble and Prasad grabbed three each as Pakistan perished, failing to put together reasonable partnerships.
India 287 for 8 beat Pakistan 248 for 9 by 39 runs
A charged-up encounter with a World Cup semi-final spot for the taking received a jolt when Akram, Pakistan's captain, pulled out minutes before the toss. With Ajay Jadeja smashing a 25-ball 45 - Waqar Younis was hammered for 40 off his last two overs - and Navjot Sidhu lumbering his way to 93, the balance had shifted in the favour of the Indians even before the reply began. Although Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail flayed the Indian attack to start off, Sohail's loss of temper and temperament as he tried to assert his authority over Venkatesh Prasad, combined with the batsmen's lack of application saw them succumb to pressure. Anil Kumble and Prasad grabbed three each as Pakistan perished, failing to put together reasonable partnerships.
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Sahara Cup 1996,
Toronto
Pakistan 266 for 8 beat India 264 for 6 by 2 wickets
Pakistan's decision to field first, based on their strong bowling line-up, backfired as Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin added 161 for the third wicket. Akram and Waqar went wicketless, while Jadeja once again smashed a few towards the end. Although Anwar scored a 78-ball 80, wickets tumbled regularly, and at 221 for 8, India looked all set to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Malik (70 not out) and Saqlain Mushtaq (11 not out), however, added 44, and Pakistan scrambled home on the penultimate ball of the match, from Sunil Joshi, which Malik, playing with a twisted ankle, cut past point.
Pakistan 266 for 8 beat India 264 for 6 by 2 wickets
Pakistan's decision to field first, based on their strong bowling line-up, backfired as Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin added 161 for the third wicket. Akram and Waqar went wicketless, while Jadeja once again smashed a few towards the end. Although Anwar scored a 78-ball 80, wickets tumbled regularly, and at 221 for 8, India looked all set to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Malik (70 not out) and Saqlain Mushtaq (11 not out), however, added 44, and Pakistan scrambled home on the penultimate ball of the match, from Sunil Joshi, which Malik, playing with a twisted ankle, cut past point.
Sahara Cup 1997,
Toronto
India 182 for 6 beat Pakistan 148 by 34 runs
A disastrous start to the innings saw India slump to 23 for 3 in seaming conditions against a less than threatening Pakistan attack. A brief recovery by Azharuddin and Co. made for a somewhat respectable 182. It should have been a comfortable target for Pakistan's strong batting line-up, and at 103 for 3 seemed just that. That was when Sourav Ganguly's medium pace was brought on. Utilising the conditions, and Pakistan's frailty against the moving ball, Ganguly snapped up five wickets - all caught - as the last seven wickets went down for the addition of only 43 runs.
India 182 for 6 beat Pakistan 148 by 34 runs
A disastrous start to the innings saw India slump to 23 for 3 in seaming conditions against a less than threatening Pakistan attack. A brief recovery by Azharuddin and Co. made for a somewhat respectable 182. It should have been a comfortable target for Pakistan's strong batting line-up, and at 103 for 3 seemed just that. That was when Sourav Ganguly's medium pace was brought on. Utilising the conditions, and Pakistan's frailty against the moving ball, Ganguly snapped up five wickets - all caught - as the last seven wickets went down for the addition of only 43 runs.
India's tour of Pakistan, 1997,
Karachi
India 266 for 6 beat Pakistan 265 for 4 by 4 wickets
Karachi lived up to its billing as a batsman's paradise and attacking seventies by Shahid Afridi and Inzamam-ul-Haq enabled Pakistan to post a competitive score (though the innings was cut short due to crowd trouble). India looked set for an easy victory until panic struck, resulting in the loss of four wickets for only 26 runs, two of them run-outs. Saba Karim and Robin Singh consolidated, and when Saqlain, economical till then, went for 33 in three overs, a win seemed in sight. As the ball was changed yet again in the final over, Saqlain was hit for a six by Rajesh Chauhan and India sealed victory.
India 266 for 6 beat Pakistan 265 for 4 by 4 wickets
Karachi lived up to its billing as a batsman's paradise and attacking seventies by Shahid Afridi and Inzamam-ul-Haq enabled Pakistan to post a competitive score (though the innings was cut short due to crowd trouble). India looked set for an easy victory until panic struck, resulting in the loss of four wickets for only 26 runs, two of them run-outs. Saba Karim and Robin Singh consolidated, and when Saqlain, economical till then, went for 33 in three overs, a win seemed in sight. As the ball was changed yet again in the final over, Saqlain was hit for a six by Rajesh Chauhan and India sealed victory.
3rd Final, Independence Cup
1998, Dhaka
India 316 for 7 beat Pakistan 314 for 5 by 3 wickets
Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed scored blistering centuries and Saqlain grabbed three wickets but India still managed to lift the Independence Cup courtesy a Ganguly century and supporting knocks from Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Singh. It wasn't easy, though. India, at one stage 250 for 2, slumped to 281 for 5 at the hands of Saqlain. A further two quick wickets followed, and in the end it was left to Hrishikesh Kanitkar to strike a boundary in fading light off the penultimate ball of the match to seal the win.
India 316 for 7 beat Pakistan 314 for 5 by 3 wickets
Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed scored blistering centuries and Saqlain grabbed three wickets but India still managed to lift the Independence Cup courtesy a Ganguly century and supporting knocks from Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Singh. It wasn't easy, though. India, at one stage 250 for 2, slumped to 281 for 5 at the hands of Saqlain. A further two quick wickets followed, and in the end it was left to Hrishikesh Kanitkar to strike a boundary in fading light off the penultimate ball of the match to seal the win.
1st ODI, India's tour of
Pakistan, 2004, Karachi
India 349 for 7 beat Pakistan 344 for 8 by 5 runs
A strong batting display, especially by India's top order, built a mammoth 349 - the first 200 of which came in only 25 overs. However, a brave fightback by Pakistan, after losing their openers cheaply, took the game right down to the wire. Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam and Younis Khan all played their part, but Inzamam's dismissal left Pakistan requiring 72 off eight overs. The lower order failed at the last hurdle to keep up with the required rate, and Moin Khan was unable to "do a Miandad" off the last delivery.
India 349 for 7 beat Pakistan 344 for 8 by 5 runs
A strong batting display, especially by India's top order, built a mammoth 349 - the first 200 of which came in only 25 overs. However, a brave fightback by Pakistan, after losing their openers cheaply, took the game right down to the wire. Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam and Younis Khan all played their part, but Inzamam's dismissal left Pakistan requiring 72 off eight overs. The lower order failed at the last hurdle to keep up with the required rate, and Moin Khan was unable to "do a Miandad" off the last delivery.
4th ODI, Pakistan's tour of
India, 2005, Ahmedabad
Pakistan 319 for 7 beat India 315 for 6 by 3 wickets
Another strong batting display from India on the back of a Tendulkar 123 and a late cameo from Yuvraj Singh led them to a 300-plus score, as Pakistan bowlers toiled in batting-friendly conditions. A blistering opening partnership between Salman Butt and Shahid Afridi laid the foundations of a strong reply, but with wickets falling regularly, India were still in with a good chance. Inzamam, however, provided a calm figure in the middle as others perished around him. With three needed off the last over, he blocked the first five deliveries before slashing the last one for a four to round off a remarkable chase.
Pakistan 319 for 7 beat India 315 for 6 by 3 wickets
Another strong batting display from India on the back of a Tendulkar 123 and a late cameo from Yuvraj Singh led them to a 300-plus score, as Pakistan bowlers toiled in batting-friendly conditions. A blistering opening partnership between Salman Butt and Shahid Afridi laid the foundations of a strong reply, but with wickets falling regularly, India were still in with a good chance. Inzamam, however, provided a calm figure in the middle as others perished around him. With three needed off the last over, he blocked the first five deliveries before slashing the last one for a four to round off a remarkable chase.
Faras Ghani is an editorial assistant at Cricinfo