India and Pakistan will go head-to-head for the seventh time in a World Cup clash on Sunday, the 16th of June at Manchester’s Old Trafford Stadium. From Virat Kohli’s classy ton in 2015 to Venkatesh Prasad’s iconic feud with Aamer Sohail in 1996, the India-Pakistan World Cup encounters have had several jaw dropping moments in the past. We list out a few.
Tendulkar reigns supreme
Indian cricket in the early 2000’s was largely synonymous with a certain Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. He showed his class in a 2003 group stage World Cup game against Pakistan at the Centurion.
Batting first the Pakistanis put on a daunting target of 274 for their rivals and India found themselves in a spot of bother at 53/2. However, the Master Blaster ensured that there were no hiccups as he steadied the ship firstly alongside Mohammad Kaif and then with Rahul Dravid. Tendulkar took on Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar to score a brilliant 98 in an innings that has been described as one of the best knocks played at the World Cup.
Prasad’s sweet revenge
Forever etched in the memory of Indian cricket fans, the feud between Venkatesh Prasad and Aamer Sohail at the 1996 World Cup remains a classic cricket moment. After smashing him for a boundary, Sohail gestured to Prasad to go and fetch the ball. However, the very next ball the Indian pacer had the last laugh as he sent the stumps on a cartwheel when Sohail tried to hit him over mid-on.
Five-star Wahab Riaz
Left-arm Wahab Riaz had one of his finest hours in a Pakistani shirt at the semifinal of the 2011 ICC World Cup, where he produced figures of 5/46 which remain his best ODI figures till date. Riaz set the ball rolling for his side by first dismissing Virender Sehwag who was looking well set on 38. He was then brought back to induce a breakthrough and dismissed both of India’s in form players Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh in the same over, before bowling at the death and dismissing MS Dhoni and Zaheer Khan.
just will not forget the inswinging dipping yorker by Wahab Riaz to dismiss Yuvi 1st ball. Oh the Wasim-Akramness #Mohali #cwc2011
— Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi (@Ali_Abbas_Zaidi) March 31, 2011
Kohli creates history
Until 2015, there hadn’t been an Indian player who had scored a century against Pakistan in a World Cup match. However, that ignominy was put to bed by the current Indian skipper Virat Kohli by smashing a classy 107 runs to ensure India got off to a good start at the 2015 World Cup.
Most international 100s at Adelaide Oval
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 15, 2015
8 M Clarke
7 R Ponting
5 A Border/D Boon
4 M Waugh/D Warner/VIRAT KOHLI#IndvsPak#CWC15
Bradman 3
Kohli’s ton helped the team get to a score of 300 and ensured India won the game convincingly by 76 runs.
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Saeed Khan
