India and Pakistan are all set to lock horns once again in the Cricket World Cup 2019 at Old Trafford, Manchester. The two teams will be meeting each other for the 7th time in World Cup History. All eyes will be set on the mother of all clashes, as fans of both countries are ready to paint Manchester with Blue and Green colours. A Rivalry that started in the Cricket World Cup of 1992, as seen several iconic and memorable matches that fans still cherish and remember fondly. India has never lost to Pakistan in the World Cup and it is 6-0 till date, Pakistan will get another opportunity to redeem themselves and will try to get the monkey off their back and make history at Manchester. Here are some of the great matches from the past World Cup matches between the two great rivals.
Cricket World Cup 2011 SemiFinal
The stage was at PCA stadium Mohali as MS Dhoni’s team faced a resilient Pakistan side led by Shahid Afridi. The Prime Minister of both countries were present live at the stadium to witness the mouthwatering clash. The Pressure was on India, as Pakistan had nothing to lose. The Indian batting lineup was up against the talented bowling attack which even in the absence of Shoaib Akhtar looked threatening. India batted first and Sehwag was away in typical Sehwag style, the Indian opener gave India a flying start. On the other hand, the little master was threading his shots with his brilliant timing between fielders at will, India was on the course to put a mammoth total on the board. Then came Wahab Riaz and turned the match completely, he Removed Sehwag, Kohli and the man in form Yuvraj Singh on a Golden duck with a vicious inswinging Yorker. Sachin, on the other hand, was living dangerously as he was dropped multiple times by the fielders of the Pakistan side. Sachin on a not so easy wicket made 85 before he was finally dismissed by Saeed Ajmal. A late charge by Suresh Raina took India’s total to a respectable 260 runs. Chasing 261, Pakistani openers started brilliantly as both Hafeez and Kamran Akmal gave the visitors a solid start. Then against the run of play, Hafeez perished while playing an outrageous scoop shot. The Wicket then brought the Indians back into the contest. Pakistan were unable to string together partnerships in the middle as India kept chipping away with the wickets. Misbah was a lone warrior as he tried to chase down the target on his own, but it was too late. He was the last wicket to fall as India won by 29 runs, and kept their 100 percent record of winning against Pakistan in World Cups intact.
2. Cricket World Cup 2003
The two heavyweight sides faced each other at Centurion, South Africa in a group match. Both teams were desperate to register a win, as both sides were facing each other after a long lay off. The Pakistani side started on a positive note as their opening partnership of Taufeeq Umar and Saeed Anwar, added 50 runs for the first wicket. Zaheer Khan was the pick of the bowlers for India as he was economical and two crucial wickets of Umar and Younis Khan. Pakistan on the back of a brilliant century by Saeed Anwar posted a formidable 273 runs on the board. India had a daunting chase and needed to start off well against the pace trio of Akram, and Waqar Younis. Sachin took Shoaib Akhtar to cleaners in his very first over, and smashed him to all parts of Centurion and left the Indian Fans Crazy. That upper cut over deep backward point is still fresh, in the minds of 1.2 billion Indians. Pakistan then struck back as Waqar Younis removed Sehwag and Ganguly on consecutive balls. Sachin played one of the great ODI innings of all times and it looked almost certain that the champion Batsman will notch up yet another century, but Akhtar came back into the attack and dismissed Tendulkar at 98. India still needed over 100 runs, they were in need of a Partnership. The duo of Yuvraj and Dravid then didn’t allow the Pakistani side to make further inroads in the Indian Batting line as India chased down the target in the 46th over itself.
3. Cricket World Cup 1992
The first ever between India and Pakistan will always be remembered for the infamous incident between Javed Miandad and Kiran More. The legendary Batsman of Pakistan was seen jumping in the middle as he tried Mimicking More’s LBW appeal against him. Miandad got carried away as he has bowled on 40 by Javagal Srinath but not before he had created an Iconic moment in India and Pakistan Cricket World Cup rivalry. India Won the match in the end by a margin of 43 runs. The Player of the Match was once again Sachin Tendulkar as he once again top-scored for India. Sachin Made a gutsy half century that took India’s total to a competitive 216 runs. Pakistan crumbled under pressure, they were always out of the contest since the beginning of their chase. India made it 1-0 in 1992, which still to date is an unbeaten record.
