India-Pakistan matches have always been interesting and stimulating. No matter what stage it is, a World Cup match, Champions trophy or an Asia Cup tie, the passion always run high. Even while playing bilateral matches, the two arch-rivals have never taken a single match lightly.
In the upcoming Champions trophy 2017, India will play their first league match against Pakistan and it has been expected that this time the match will break all the viewership records. Here are some of the most memorable occurrences from matches over the last decade when India took on Pakistan.
1. Sehwag-Raina Partnership
In 2008, Asia Cup was a 50-over tournament, as it was played in the T20 format last year. It was during the match between India and Pakistan in 2008 at Karachi that Sehwag and Raina demolished the Pakistan bowling attack with some brilliant shot making. Sehwag smashed 119 off 95 balls countering Shoaib Malik’s brilliant 125 runs innings that propelled Pakistan to 299 in 50 overs. Meanwhile, Raina (84 off 69 balls) got out in the 28th over and he helped his team to reach a match-winning situation of 210 in 28 overs.
2. Younis Khan Century
After suffering a defeat at the hands of India earlier in the tournament in 2008, Pakistan chased down India’s massive score of 308 in just 45 overs during the super fours stage of the Asia Cup. Younis Khan amassed a huge score of 123 runs off 117 balls. However, India reached the finals of the tournament and lost to Sri Lanka.
3. Bhajji – Shoaib
In 2010, India was playing against Pakistan and one can always expect things to go out of hand. The precisely same thing happened that day when India needed 7 runs off the last 7 balls to chase down Pakistan’s 267. Shoaib Akhtar was bowling to Harbhajan Singh and they had a verbal banter between each other with the turbanator tried to hit the fast bowler for a six.
4. Virat Kohli’s assault
‘Excelled’ – this was term used by Misbah-ul-Haq to describe Pakistan’s loss to Virat Kohli in 2012. Why do we say, Virat Kohli? Well, Kohli completely destroyed the Pakistan bowling attack single-handedly as he scored a career-best 183 off just 148 balls, which is still his highest score in ODIs. Pakistan had posted a huge score of 329 on board and looked set to win the match but Kohli had other plans as he hit Wahab Riaz for 7 fours in just 17 balls!
5. Afridi’s final touch
Shahid Afridi has been one of the most well-known faces in Pakistan cricket. After taking retirement several times, Afridi is back to lead the Pakistan cricket team in the Asia Cup.
Two years ago in 2014, it was Afridi’s nerves that got Pakistan the win. Needing 9 off the last over with Ashwin bowling, it was no easy task for Pakistan.
However, Afridi was in no mood of looking back as he was able to connect anything and everything with his bat, that day. He smashed Ashwin for two massive sixes to hand Pakistan an improbable win.
