There is an astronomical list of nail-biting encounters played between the two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan. However, ahead of the high-voltage India Vs Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2022, we present you with our pick on the top five nail-biting encounters. Be ready to take a stroll in memory lane. We are sure that these epic battles had you on the edge of your seat with a billow of adrenaline.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: India Vs Pakistan; the battle for the Asian Dominance
#1 2003 ICC World Cup, Post the Kargil War
Leaving behind the bruises of the Kargil War, 1999, the two cricketing nations had their first clash in the World Cup. Since, the wounds of the war were fresh, both the teams desperately wanted to grasp a win for their respective nations.
Batting first Pakistani batters, Saeed Anwar with a classic century and Younis Khan’s late blows managed to put up a potent target of 273 in 50 overs.
Indian batters came in to face a lethal bowling attack including Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis, Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi. Chasing a strong target against this bowling line up pretty much seemed unlikely. But when Sachin Tendulkar is there why fear?. This match witnessed one of the greatest knocks of all time. Tendulkar muscled his way through Pakistan’s rugged bowling attack and scored 98 runs off just 75 balls. Moreover, Akhtar grappled with Tendulkar bowling a fine ball. However, Tendulkar has made it quite easy for his team already. As the partnership between Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid helped India seal a memorable victory in an extremely thrilling clash.
#2 India vs Pakistan ODI at Karachi, 2004
Last over wins are always the toughest to watch. India’s one such last over win was at Karachi. As the very first match in India’s first tour of Pakistan, which was almost 2 decades ago, saw a world-record 693 runs being scored in 100 overs.
Batting first, India’s openers, namely, Virendra Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar attacked the Pakistani bowlers, smashing them all over the stadium. Their helter-skelter batting took India past 150 runs, in just 15 overs. Reverting to this haphazard hitting, Pakistan displayed some excellent bowling, which brought them back into the game. However, the openers had done enough damage. Hence, India had put up an enormous target of 350 runs.
Chasing the mammoth target, Pakistan lost a few early wickets. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana tried bringing the hosts back in the game with a brilliant partnership of 135 runs in just 20 overs. However their efforts went in vain. With only 9 runs required in the last over, Ashish Nehra held on to his nerves and bowled a brilliant over conceding just 3 runs winning the game for India. Hence, this last over victory definitely had spectators form both the sides rushing with emotions.
#3 India vs Pakistan: The 2007 World Cup final
I bet each and every cricket fanatic has this match memorized like a poem. The first ever T20 World Cup witnessed the most unforgettable game ever in T20 cricket history. While the world was still trying to comprehend the shortest format of the game. Under MS Dhoni’s leadership the Men in Blue became the champions of the first ever T20 World Cup in 2007.
The final match being played between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan became folklore for the biggest rivalries of all times. As Gautam Gambhir’s 75-run knock helped India put up a strong target of 157 runs for Pakistan. The match kept diverging both ways and Pakistan stepped towards victory with 13 runs required in the final over. With set batter Misbah-ul-Haq at the crease, the way to victory seemed easy. However, captain Dhoni’s captaincy made it impossible for Pakistan. While handing the ball over to a rookie Joginder Singh, he would have doubted his decision. The first half of the over almost gave a heart attack to the Indian supporters. However, Singh kept his calm and got Misbah on the third, handing over India the famous victory.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: Know who is the Firm Favorite to win the Title
#4 The Impedes before the Finals, 2011
Inching its way towards the finals, India had an ugliest yet effective battle with arch-rivals in the semi-final match of the ICC World Cup, 2011.
Batting first, India had a depressing start as they only managed to put up a 260 target in a World Cup semifinal. This timid target was only possible because Sachin Tendulkar who was dropped three times and had a close LBW call. However Tendulkar’s 85 of 115 made 260 possible.
While initially this target looked as easy for Pakistan as a child’s play. However, their poor batting performance overshadowed their brilliant bowling effort as this simple target proved out to be too much for them.
#5 Asia Cup 2014, one of the only wins by Pakistan
Playing under a new captain, Virat Kohli, team India couldn’t make full use of the half-centuries Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayadu and Ravindra Jadeja had scored. Putting up a bleak target of just 246 runs, Indian bowlers tried making a comeback in the game by dismissing almost all the Pakistani wickets. However, Mohammad Haffez’s playing an anchoring knock of 75 runs almost took Pakistan towards the glory. But it took something special from Shahid Afridi to take Pakistan over the victory rope. With 10 runs needed if the final over and just one wicket in hand, Afridi smashed the uber-talented Ashwin for two sixes, hence breaking thousands of Indian hearts. Afridi saving his best for the last helped Pakistan clinch the victory out of India’s hands in an extremely tense clash.
Although the description says ‘Best 5 Nail-biting Encounters,’ we have got you a bonus. While all India vs Pakistan matches are hair-raising. The next clash that we are going to present should have a disclaimer for people with weak hearts. The thrilling ICC World T20 2007 match, witnessed a bowl-out after almost 21 years. India and Pakistan played a thrilling tie, however, India affirmed a victory after a blow-out was played between the teams.
Chasing 141, Pakistan had a good start. But Irfan Pathan’s tremendous bowling and Harbhajan Singh’s excellent spell couldn’t let Pakistan take away the match. Finally, India became victorious after defeating Pakistan 3-0 in bowl-out.
India and Pakistan will battle each other in the second match of the Asia Cup 2022 on August 28. Who will be the next Asian Champion?
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