5 most dramatic moments in India vs Pakistan World Cup matches ft. Venkatesh Prasad and Aamer Sohail
India vs Pakistan World Cup matches receive the highest viewership across all international cricket games.
The biggest reason behind it is that this is more than just a cricket match, as it is embroiled in patriotism and rivalry. Fans get to witness drama, action, thrill, emotions and even humor during these high voltage and high intensity contests.
There have been several dramatic moments during India vs Pakistan World Cup matches over the years. Seven matches have been played so far between the two arch-rivals on the biggest stage in ODI cricket, with India winning all seven games.
Here's a list of the five most dramatic moments from those seven battles.
#1 Venkatesh Prasad gives it back to Aamir Sohail
In the 1996 World Cup match between India and Pakistan, Pakistan started their run-chase of 288 on a perfect note. Openers Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar added 84 runs in the first 10 overs before Anwar lost his wicket.
Captain Sohail continued attacking the Indian bowlers from the other end and completed his half-century. After his 50, Sohail hit a boundary off Venkatesh Prasad's bowling and infuriated him by pointing towards the boundary line. Prasad gave it back to the Pakistan captain by rattling his stumps off the very next ball.
The crowd at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium went berserk as the pacer gave an aggressive send-off to the Pakistan skipper.
#2 Anti-climax moment for Yuvraj Singh against Wahab Riaz
Yuvraj Singh was in top form during the 2011 World Cup. After knocking out Australia in the quarterfinals with a memorable knock, he was expected to score big at his home ground in Mohali in the semifinal against Pakistan.
However, in what was an anti-climax, the Indian all-rounder lost his stumps off the first ball that he faced. Wahab Riaz bowled a low full-toss that swung in late to beat Yuvraj and rattle his stumps.
Riaz was overjoyed and ran straight to Umar Gul in the deep amid a pin-drop silence in the PCA Stadium.
#3 Javed Miandad vs Kiran More, 1992 World Cup
India and Pakistan clashed for the first time in a World Cup match in 1992. Pakistan won the World Cup that year, but could not defeat the Indian team.
In a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sachin Tendulkar's 54-run knock guided India to 216/7.
Chasing 217, Pakistan lost two early wickets but Aamer Sohail rebuilt the innings with Javed Miandad, who played a slow knock of 40 runs from 110 balls. During his long stay in the middle, he was annoyed by Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More's appeals and comments from behind the stumps.
Miandad stopped batting for a while to let More say whatever he wanted to do. He even started jumping during the game to mock the Indian wicketkeeper.
#4 Sachin Tendulkar's 6 over backward point against Shoaib Akhtar, 2003 WC
Pakistan batted first and scored 273/7 in 50 overs during their 2003 World Cup match against India. It was a big target, and India needed a fiery start at the top. Sachin Tendulkar provided just that and went on to play a match-winning knock of 98 runs to help India win.
Tendulkar played some incredible shots during his knock. The one that is remembered the most is the six that he hit over backward point off Shoaib Akhtar in the second over of the game.
#5 Vijay Shankar announces his arrival in the 2019 WC
Vijay Shankar's selection in India's 2019 World Cup squad sparked a major debate in cricketing circles. Shankar even made it to India's playing XI for the big game against Pakistan in Manchester.
While India did not have any plans to use him as a bowler in the powerplay, Shankar received a chance to bowl in the fifth over after Bhuvneshwar Kumar's injury.
Shankar trapped Imam-ul-Haq LBW with the first ball that he bowled, surprising almost all the fans. Even Indian skipper Virat Kohli was in disbelief as the Tamil Nadu all-rounder seized his opportunity and announced his arrival on the grand stage.