Pakistan's top 3 run-getters against India in ODI World Cups ft. Saeed Anwar
The blockbuster India-Pakistan clash of the 2023 World Cup is less than a day away from finally coming to fruition at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14.
With fans from both countries having circled the marquee game on their calendar for months, it promises to be a match with several ebbs and flows and fortunes fluctuating from one team to the other. Both teams winning their opening two games of the tournament adds further venom to the contest.
Yet, despite all the external hype surrounding the battle, it has been one-way traffic off late, particularly in World Cups. Team India recently walloped their arch-rivals in the Asia Cup by a mammoth 228 runs, making it four straight wins over the Men in Green.
They have also beaten Pakistan in all seven matchups at the ODI World Cup, dating back to the 1992 edition. What's interesting in those meetings is Team India have won six of the seven games against Pakistan batting first, with 2003 being the exception.
Rohit Sharma and company have also won the last four ODIs against Pakistan and each of them comprehensively, dating back to the 2018 Asia Cup in Dubai. However, against all odds, Pakistan can take solace from the fact that they still lead 73-56 overall against India in 50-over cricket.
Despite the blatantly one-sided numbers in World Cup meetings, Pakistan has had its share of individual brilliance from numerous players.
As we build up to the mother of all rivalries on a Super Saturday, let us look at Pakistan's top three run-getters against India in ODI World Cups.
#3 Aamer Sohail - 117 runs
Former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail batted at No.3 despite his infamous altercation with Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad, effectively costing the side in the quarter-final of the 1996 World Cup.
While he is remembered for that ugly incident, it is worth mentioning that Sohail scored 117 runs in his two World Cup matches against India in 1992 and 1996.
The 1992 meeting was the first between the sides in the prestigious tournament. Team India meandered their way to a mediocre 216/7 in the 49-overs per side game. In reply, Pakistan was immediately reduced to 17/2 before Sohail added 88 runs with Javed Miandad for the third wicket.
However, the opening batter fell at an inopportune time for 62 off 95 balls, leading to a collapse that saw Pakistan shot out for 173 and losing by 43 runs.
Four years later, the famous 1996 World Cup quarter-final saw India post a mammoth 287/8 in 50 overs. Pakistan began their run chase with a brilliant 84-run partnership between Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail before the former was dismissed.
Sohail continued his rampaging knock before getting carried away from the boundary of Venkatesh Prasad, resulting in a rush of blood to be dismissed for 55 off 46 deliveries. The lapse in concentration from the skipper proved fatal as the Men in Green were bowled out for 248/9 and losing by 38 runs.
Nevertheless, Sohail averaged 58.50 in his two World Cup innings against India at an 82.97 strike rate.
The southpaw also boasts excellent World Cup numbers, with an average of 37.37, including two centuries and four half-centuries.
#2 Misbah-ul-Haq - 132 runs
While the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Misbah-ul-Haq is his heroics in almost pulling off the 2007 T20 World Cup final, the right-hander also impressed against the arch-rivals in 50-over World Cups.
Renowned for his defiance in batting, Misbah played his ODI World Cup game against India in the semi-final of the 2011 edition in Mohali. Following India's posting a healthy 260/9 in their 50 overs, Pakistan stuttered to 103/3 in the 24th over when Misbah arrived at the crease.
True to his reputation, the now-49-year-old fought valiantly with wickets falling around him and scored 56 from 76 deliveries to keep Pakistan in the hunt. Eventually, the bridge proved too much to cross as the 1992 World Cup winners fell short by 29 runs.
Fast forward to 2015, and Misbah found himself in similar territory at 102/4, chasing 301 at the Adelaide Oval.
The gritty batter, who was also leading the side, scored a brisk 76 off 84 deliveries to no avail as Pakistan suffered a 76-run defeat at the hands of their nemesis.
In his two matches against India at the 50-over World Cup, the right-hander scored 132 runs at an average of 66 and 82.50 strike rate.
Pakistan's crisis man scored almost 600 runs in his World Cup career at an outstanding average of 49.83 with seven half-centuries in 15 outings.
#1 Saeed Anwar - 185 runs
Saeed Anwar was one of Team India's biggest nemesis during his illustrious career. Thus, it is no surprise to see him as Pakistan's top run-getter against them in ODI World Cups.
The elegant left-hander played three games against India in 1996, 1999, and 2003, totaling 185 runs at an average of 61.66 and an enviable 91.58 strike rate. The 1996 World Cup saw Anwar score a majestic 48 off 32 balls to provide Pakistan with the perfect platform in their eventually failed run chase.
The 1999 World Cup was arguably the peak of Saeed Anwar's career, with the batter scoring back-to-back centuries in the final Super Six game and the semi-final. However, against India, the southpaw threw away a promising start on 36 as Pakistan went down by 47 runs at Manchester.
At the following World Cup in South Africa, Anwar produced his best knock against India in a World Cup, scoring a scintillating 101 off 126 deliveries. Yet again, his heroics went in vain. The Men in Blue chased a stiff target of 274 on the back of a magical 98 by Sachin Tendulkar to eliminate Pakistan from contention for the Super Sixes.
Anwar often saved some of his best batting displays for India, including his then-world record 194 in Chennai. Overall, the champion batter averages a stellar 43.52 at a 90.58 strike rate with four centuries and eight half-centuries against India.
Anwar remains Pakistan's third leading run-scorer in ODIs with 8,824 runs at an average of almost 40 with 20 centuries.