Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, India vs Pakistan. (Photo Source: ICC)
The cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most intense and celebrated in the sporting world. Spanning over almost four decades, this rivalry has produced numerous unforgettable matches, with each encounter being more thrilling than the last. Here, we look back at five of the greatest matches ever played between these two cricketing giants.
Top 5 Most Thrilling IND-PAK rivalry encounters:
5. 1992: India Win by 43 Runs in Sydney
As surprising as it may sound, India and Pakistan did not cross paths in the first four editions of the World Cup. The first chapter of their rivalry was written in coloured clothing and under floodlights at the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground. Batting first, a young Sachin Tendulkar, in his first-ever World Cup, scored a pivotal 54 off 62 balls, helping the Indian team reach 216/7 in 49 overs. Mushtaq Ahmed took three wickets for Pakistan, while Aaqib Javed struck twice.
Defending 217 runs, the Indian bowling unit worked cohesively to skittle Pakistan for 173 in 48.1 overs. Kapil Dev, Manoj Prabhakar, and Javagal Srinath each took two wickets, with Tendulkar and Venkatapathy Raju chipping in as well. Aamer Sohail’s half-century (62 off 95 balls) and Javed Miandad’s 40 were not enough, especially after Miandad’s infamous altercation with Kiran More. This match not only marked the beginning of an iconic rivalry in World Cups but also set the tone for the intensity that was to follow.
4. 1996: India Win by 39 Runs in Bengaluru
The quarter-final of the 1996 World Cup saw the arch-rivals face off in a knockout for the first time. The absence of Wasim Akram due to injury was a significant talking point. Navjot Sidhu’s bullish 93 off 115 balls gave India a solid start, but it was Ajay Jadeja’s brutal onslaught against Waqar Younis at the death that propelled India to 287/8 in 50 overs.
In reply, Pakistan blazed away to 84/0 in ten overs, thanks to Saeed Anwar and Sohail. The turning point came when Venkatesh Prasad bowled Sohail after being taunted by him, creating an immortal World Cup moment. Despite resistance from Saleem Malik and Miandad, Prasad and Anil Kumble’s exceptional bowling on their home turf ensured a memorable victory for India, ending Miandad’s World Cup career in disappointment.
3. 1999: India Win by 47 Runs in Manchester
This World Cup encounter was set against the backdrop of the Kargil War, adding emotional and intense undertones. At Old Trafford, India took the lead to 3-0 against Pakistan in World Cups. Sachin Tendulkar provided a quickfire 45, and fifties from Rahul Dravid and captain Mohammad Azharuddin helped India post 227/5.
Pakistan’s chase began promisingly with Saeed Anwar’s 36, but once Prasad dismissed him, the innings fell apart. Prasad’s five-wicket haul, supported by Javagal Srinath, decimated Pakistan’s middle order, bowling them out for 180 with 27 balls to spare.
2. 2003: India Win by Six Wickets in Centurion
Considered the greatest India-Pakistan World Cup match, this 2003 encounter at Centurion saw political tensions restraining bilateral ties. Chasing 273, Sachin Tendulkar played perhaps the best World Cup knock of his career, a scintillating 98 that overshadowed Saeed Anwar’s century. Tendulkar’s array of strokes against Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar was a masterclass in batting.
Despite falling two runs short of a century due to cramps, Tendulkar set the stage for Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh to guide India to a comfortable victory. This match took India’s World Cup scoreline against Pakistan to 4-0, cementing Tendulkar’s innings in the annals of cricket history.
1. 2022: Kohli Powers India’s Uncanny Run-Chase at MCG
The India-Pakistan clash in the 2022 T20 World Cup was an unforgettable spectacle. Chasing 160 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India were in deep trouble at 31/4. However, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya joined forces, adding 113 runs to rescue the innings.
While Pandya departed, Kohli’s magnificent 82* off 53 balls (with six fours and four sixes) powered India to one of their greatest victories in T20I cricket. Kohli’s innings, hailed as one of the best in T20 World Cup history, ensured that this match would be remembered for years to come.