India-Pakistan World Cup games are a unique treat for fans everywhere because they bring to life one of the fiercest rivalries in sports. These matches are as intense as any sporting contest, setting hearts racing and pulses pounding. It’s a match that transcends cricket and goes to the core of national identity and pride for millions.
The energy is palpable from the moment the first ball is bowled. The stadiums become a sea of colour as fans cheer for their teams while flying their respective national flags and singing national anthems.
Fans are glued to their seats, eagerly awaiting every ball in living rooms and sports bars around the world. Families and friends compete with one another, and the teasing never stops. For players, victory in an India-Pakistan World Cup match is a lifetime achievement award. Here, we look back at the previous seven matches between the two great rivals.
Sydney, March 04, 1992, Benson & Hedges World Cup
On March 4, 1992, the cricketing world witnessed an electrifying clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia. After winning the toss, India chose to bat and their innings unfolded with a sense of caution. They posted a total of 216-7 in 49 overs, a rather modest score given the immense expectations. Sachin Tendulkar, the young maestro, emerged as the shining star of the innings with an impressive unbeaten 54. Adding to the stability was Ajay Jadeja, who crafted a solid 46 off 77 deliveries. The Indian skipper, Mohammed Azharuddin, also made a valuable contribution, while the legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev unleashed a blitz, smashing a quick-fire 35 from just 26 balls, featuring two fours and a towering six. In response, the Pakistani batting line-up struggled to find their footing. Aamer Sohail’s valiant 62 off 95 balls and Javed Miandad’s resilient 40 off 110 stood out as noteworthy efforts. However, no one else seemed capable of supporting the cause, leaving Pakistan 43 runs short of their target. Tempers frayed to such an extent that Miandad jumped up and down in crude fashion to imitate Kiran More’s appeal behind the stumps.
Kapil and his compatriots, Manoj Prabhakar and Javagal Srinath, took two wickets each, ultimately bringing Pakistan’s innings to a close for 173 in 48.1 overs. Pakistan, though, would go on to win the tournament.
Bengaluru, March 09, 1996, Wills World Cup
Having won the toss in Bengaluru, India once again chose to bat. Navjot Singh Sidhu’s authoritative knock of 93, coupled with Ajay Jadeja’s explosive 25-ball 45, was central to a compelling batting display, as Mohammad Azharuddin’s brigade amassed a formidable 287-8 in their allotted 50 overs.
This particular contest is most remembered for the intense face-off between Venkatesh Prasad and Aamir Sohail. Pakistan had raced to 113 in a mere 14.5 overs, and it was here that Sohail seemed to let the occasion overwhelm him.
Amid the heat of the battle, taunts were exchanged between the two. Sohail provocatively gestured towards Venkatesh Prasad, emphasising the direction in which he would smash the ball. The next delivery from Prasad crashed into Sohail’s stumps. This incident has iconic status in cricket history.
Subsequently, the momentum shifted decisively in India’s favour, and the Pakistani innings rapidly crumbled, mustering a mere 248, falling short by 39 runs. Miandad’s forlorn walk to the pavilion after being run out epitomised the defeat.
Manchester, June 08, 1999, ICC World Cup
For the third consecutive occasion, India won the toss in a World Cup clash against Pakistan and, once again, opted to set a target with the bat. Rahul Dravid’s exceptional 61 anchored the innings, while Azharuddin, the skipper, scored 59 to push India towards an average total of 227-6.
Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistan pace bowler, dismissed both while conceding only 27 runs in his 10 overs. But yet again, it was Prasad, the hero of 1996, who thwarted Pakistan’s best-laid batting plans with some quality swing-and-seam bowling. Prasad earned the coveted Player of the Match award for his exceptional figures of 5-27 in 9.3 overs. Pakistan were dismissed for just 180, though it would be them and not India that progressed to the final at Lord’s later in the tournament.
SuperSport Park Centurion, March 01, 2003, ICC World Cup
This time, the coin toss went in Pakistan’s favour, but the match did not. The standout performer for them was Saeed Anwar, who compiled a brilliant 101 runs off 126 deliveries, steering Pakistan to a competitive total of 273-7 in 50 overs.
The stakes were undeniably high for the Indian team, but they embarked on their chase with unwavering optimism right from the first ball. Virender Sehwag started the innings with a brisk 21 before succumbing to Waqar Younis. But two decades on, this game is remembered for Sachin Tendulkar’s mastery. No stroke in cricket history has been replayed more often than the incredible six over third man off the lightning-quick Shoaib Akhtar, part of an 18-run over that switched the momentum decisively India’s way. Tendulkar’s sublime 75-ball innings finished on 98, caught off Shoaib’s bowling, but Dravid, along with Yuvraj Singh, the power-hitting maestro, saw India home with an unbroken partnership of 99 for the fifth wicket.
Mohali, March 30th, 2011, ICC World Cup
The showdown in Mohali was a high-stakes battle, with a coveted spot in the final prize. India won the toss and opted to bat first, aiming to heap pressure on Pakistan in a do-or-die clash. Tendulkar, with his penchant for rising to the occasion, stepped into the spotlight once more. He took the Pakistani attack head-on, fashioning a pivotal 85. What confounded observers and critics alike was Pakistan’s slipshod fielding, which saw Tendulkar survive not one or two, but four dropped catches.
Even though Wahab Riaz delivered fiery spells, capturing five wickets, India still pieced together a formidable total of 260. Pakistan’s quest to chase it down was marred by consistent setbacks, as wickets tumbled regularly. Misbah-ul-Haq stood alone at the end, but the pressure finally weighed him down, and he perished at the hands of Zaheer Khan after contributing 56 vital runs. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 231, and India, propelled by this hard-fought triumph, would go on to clinch the trophy for the second time by beating Sri Lanka in the final.
Adelaide Oval, Feb 15th, 2015, ICC World Cup
The hallowed grounds of the Adelaide Oval bore witness to the sixth instalment of the storied India-Pakistan rivalry. It was a stage tailor-made for Virat Kohli, who seemed to have an intimate understanding of the venue’s nuances. Kohli’s masterclass unfolded at No. 3, and his exquisite 107 was well supported by Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, who both delivered exceptional performances with scores of 74 and 73. Sohail Khan’s valiant effort which fetched him 5-55 was eclipsed by the relentless Indian onslaught. On the swift, seamer-friendly Adelaide pitch, India’s batters operated at peak efficiency to amass a formidable total of 300-7.
Pakistan’s aspirations hinged once more on Misbah-ul-Haq, but as in previous World Cup encounters against India, he found himself shouldering the burden with minimal support from his compatriots. Ahmed Shehzad exhibited glimpses of form but fell short of a substantial contribution.
Mohammad Shami emerged as the catalyst for Pakistan’s downfall, delivering a spellbinding performance that culminated in a four-wicket haul. India clinched a 76-run victory to extend their remarkable streak against their arch-rivals.
Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, June 16, 2019, ICC World Cup
On winning the toss, Pakistan elected to field, but India’s top-order batsmen exhibited unwavering intent and precision. Rohit Sharma, wielding his bat like a rapier, carved a resplendent 140 from 113 deliveries. Virat Kohli complemented his effort with a composed 77 off 65 balls. KL Rahul assumed the anchor role, affording Rohit the freedom to unleash his natural attacking prowess.
The Men in Blue, capitalising on their commanding start, amassed a colossal total of 336-5. Following a rain interruption, Pakistan were set a revised target of 302 in 40 overs, a formidable challenge against India’s well-rounded bowling ensemble.
Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam gallantly spearheaded Pakistan’s reply, striving to keep their side in the contest. However, their collective efforts fell short as Sarfraz Ahmed’s side managed to muster only 212-6 in the allotted 40 overs. India’s ruthless display, both with bat and ball, affirmed their dominance in this high-stakes encounter.