6 thrilling India-Pakistan encounters that don't fade away
India and Pakistan have always managed to polarise emotions throughout history. Be it during the horrors of partition, unfortunate wars or even in the race to become a nuclear power, the rivalry has been intense.Over the years, much of that intensity has been replicated on the cricket field. The sport has been bringing together and dividing - both at the same time - millions of people on either side of the border. Now, once again, the two teams are primed for a face-off - in the 2016 ICC World T20 - and everyone is waiting for the contest with bated breath.The subcontinent’s rich cricketing history has always been characterized by the numerous great players that the two nations have produced. And the matches involving these legends have ensured that the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry remains eternal - the battles don't fade away, much like the Axe Signature line of body perfumes.Here, we take a look at six unforgettable clashes between India and Pakistan over the years:
#6 Asia Cup T20 2016 at Mirpur
It’s hard to imagine a T20 contest that lasted for just 33 overs and saw merely 170-odd runs being scored across both innings making it to the list of the most unforgettable India-Pakistan clashes.
But it boiled down to the individual brilliance of two of the finest performers produced by either side that dictated how deeply the game would be engrained in the minds of those who follow this rivalry.
The Indian bowlers, aided by Pakistan’s tendency to self-destruct, ran amok, dismissing the opposition for a paltry 83 runs on a surface that was doing quite a bit. The top scorer for Pakistan was Sarfaraz Ahmed with 25 runs.
However, it was the electrifying second innings and one of the greatest fast-bowling spells one will ever see that changed the tenor of a contest that seemed all too one-sided at half time.
Mohammad Amir, on comeback trail, created magic with the ball in hand, dismissing the Indian top-order in no time. It then came down to Virat Kohli and his ability to save India after the Men in Blue found themselves at a spot of bother three down for just eight runs.
The Amir versus Kohli duel that lasted for a couple of overs saw the world’s best batsman on current form being tantalized and tested by an incredible bowler who was away from international cricket for five years. It was this face-off that made the encounter truly memorable - there was very little for Pakistan to defend, and yet, India were made to fight hard for each and every run.
By the time India managed to reach the finish line, they had a little more than four overs remaining, with five wickets in hand. What seemed to be a walk in the park initially, turned out to be trial by fire for all Indian batsmen apart from Kohli.
This game is unforgettable not just because of the intensity of the contest or how closely fought it was. It is unforgettable because it produced perhaps the most mesmerizing bat-and-ball duel that one will see in a long time to come.