Cricket rivalry at its best, India-Pakistan World Cup Cricket Clashes

India is a country of multi-lingual ethnic diversities.

Post Independence there are very few occasions where Indians have produced best of their passionate patriotism for the country’s causes.  One of the rare chances is cricket clashes between India and its archenemy Pakistan and when it comes to world-cup cricket matches the adrenaline rush and chauvinism is at its best.

It is not anything less than a sort of war where the ever zealot fans forget everything to support and stand behind their nation to conquer over its enemy at any cost. In India we have many religions and as a river we accommodate each one. But none of them can be a match to cricket as a religion.

Here Gavaskars, Kapil Devs, Tendulkars, Dhonis and Kohils are worshiped as a Demi-Gods.

ICC world cup cricket was embarked upon in 1975. But until 1991 India had never encountered it’s arch-rival Pakistan. The epic 1992 Benson and Hedges ICC World Cup saw the introduction of colored clothing, the white ball, black side screen, floodlights and an alteration to the fielding restrictions and the World Cup as we knew had changed forever.

In 1992, under the bright lights of the hallowed cricket stadiums in Australia, with only one win from the first 5 games, Pakistan’s chances looked bleak and looked likely of being knocked out in the group stages itself. This Pakistan team, despite missing the services of strike bowler Waqar Younis had enough firepower with their skipper Imran Khan who was ably backed by Wasim Akram, and Aquib Javed. This much talked about pace attack was stopped by an inspired Indian side who played disciplined cricket and beat Pakistan handily by 43 runs.

Apart from the first memorable clinch over Pakistan in World Cup, one thing which had a lasting impact on the audience was the hapless Miandad trying to salvage the pride and honor of the team created a funny mimicry of the then wicket keeper of Kiran More  by hopping on the pitch.

In keeping with the tradition, cricket fans across the country also soaked up the atmosphere on the April 5th  1996 World Cup clash between the two rival cricketing nations when Ajay Jadeja launched an onslaught against Waqar Younis in the penultimate overs and became an overnight poster boy.

The same match also contained possibly one of the most talked about and loved moments for any Indian cricket fan when the Pakistani captain Aamir Sohail lost his cool and gestured towards Venkatesh Prasad after smashing him for a boundary. The Indian pacer delivered a befitting reply by bamboozling Sohail in the next delivery by cart-wheeling his stumps and showing him the way back to the pavilion. The loss of the skipper’s wicket triggered a Pakistan batting collapse and India eventually won the match by 39 runs.

While Pakistan have a winning record when it comes to bilateral clashes, India hold the upper hand against their arch-rivals when it comes to ICC and ACC tournaments. The Men in Blue are undefeated against their neighbors in ICC World Cups and World T20s winning in all the 12 meetings. In contrast, Pakistan have doone better in the Asia Cup winning five matches.

When fans in India talk about cricket, the clashes between India and Pakistan are never far from their minds. Whether it is the victory in the Benson & Hedges Cup Final in 1985, The Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar’s 98 at Centurion in 2003, Indian fans cannot discuss cricket without bringing up any victory against their arch rival Pakistan.

Pakistan would have thought of breaking their World Cup hoodoo against India after they posted 273/7 helped by Saeed Anwar’s 20th ODI century. But after Sachin uppercut Shoaib Akhtar for a six over third-man, Pakistan’s dreams came swiftly crashing down to earth. Sachin and Shewag opening partnership cracked 50 odd runs in the first five overs  and gave India a monolithic foundation to tame the opponent meekly though  lead by  super speed batteries likes of Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar. The dreaded speedsters looked clueless while bowling to the ever murderer of cricket ball , Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. It seemed that sachin  had saved the best for them in the world cup.

Tendulkar was once again at the forefront by scoring a vital 85, helping his team to 260/9 after Wahab Riaz bowled a searing spell picking up 5 wickets. But the pressure of the chase meant Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals with Misbah-ul-Haq (56) playing a lone hand. What made the victory taste even sweeter was that India now had reached the final where they beat Sri Lanka to lift the trophy after a long wait of 28 years. Tendulkar amassed 313 runs against Pakistan in 5 World Cup matches at a gigantic average of 78.25 and a steady strike rate of 83.24.

As if it was destined to be, the baton of shouldering India’s batting passed on from Sachin to Virat Kohli, who became the 1st from his country to hit a century against their arch-rivals in a World Cup match. Kohli’s 107 propelled India to 300/7 even though Sohail Khan picked a sensational 5-for. In reply, Pakistan were troubled and tormented by the bounce and pace of Mohammed Shami, who took 4 wickets including that of veterans Younis Khan, Misbah and Shahid Afridi to break the back of their batting.

The last unforgettable meeting between the frenemies took place a year ago in the 2019 World Cup in England. This time, the gulf between the two teams was enormous and India fielded a side that had balance, a bowling and batting line up that was not just impressive but downright scary. Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first. The difference in the level of talent was clearly evident when Rohit Sharma treated all the Pakistani bowlers with disdain  and discard and scored a rapid 140 at a strike rate of almost 124. Rain played spoilt sport and delayed the start of the second innings. When play resumed, India showed their strength in all areas of the game and dominated from the word Go…

While a lot of controversies, conspiracies and political squabbles still persist around the corner making things not only happening in the recent times, but amidst such heightened tension and trouble, India –Pakistan cricket matches always have something to offer for the jingoistic audiences. The off and on field dramas and characters entertained by cricketers and fans present a lot to cheer for ages to come.

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