Shahid Afridi is mobbed by his team-mates in Asia Cup encounter between Pakistan and India at Mirpur, on March 2, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Unlike World Cups where India have an unbeaten record against Pakistan, Asia Cup provides a balanced account for India-Pakistan encounters. With the onset of another encounter between rival nations on February 27, it is vital to glance at previous matches between the two sides. Both sides have faced each other off in 11 matches with each team winning five matches and one with no result.
Let’s have a look at previous encounters of arch-rivals in Asia Cup since the tournament’s inception:
1. April 13, 1984 in Sharjah, UAE: India win by 54 runs
Batting first, India put up a total of 188 runs for Pakistan to chase in the third match of the tournament. Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Surinder Khanna scored a half-century in the first innings; however it was India's bowling attack which took all the plaudits. Roger Binny and Ravi Shastri both claimed three wickets apiece, getting Pakistan all-out for 134.
Roger Binny. PHOTO COURTESY: cricketcountry.com2. October 31, 1988 in Dhaka, Bangladesh: India win by four wickets
A five-wicket haul by Indian spinner Arshad Ayub restricted Pakistan to a score of 142 in 42.2 overs in the first innings, placing India in the driving seat of the match. Even though Pakistan claimed 6 wickets in the second innings, Mohinder Amarnath’s 74 not out from 122 deliveries guided India to a comfortable victory.
Mohinder Amarnath. PHOTO COURTESY: The Hindu2016 Asia Cup: Pakistan, India focusing on respective strengths
3. April 7, 1995 in Sharjah, UAE: Pakistan win by 97 runs
Pakistan’s first-ever victory against their arch-rivals in Asia Cup came in 1995 when Pakistani players outperform their Indian counterparts in both batting and bowling. A knock of 88 runs by Inzamamul Haq and a half-ton by Wasim Akram allowed Pakistan to reach a total of 266 runs in 50 overs. In response, Indian batting collapsed for 169 with man-of-the-match Aqib Javed claiming five wickets.
Aqib Javed. PHOTO COURTESY: cricketcountry.com4. June 3, 2000 in Dhaka, UAE: Pakistan win by 44 runs
An amazing knock from Mohammad Yousuf (then Yousuf Youhana) of 100 not out from 112 deliveries steered Pakistan to a total of 295 in 50 overs which the Indian side failed to chase as they were all out for 251. Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq claimed four wickets in the match.
Mohammad Yousuf. PHOTO COURTESY: ESPN Cricinfo5. July 25, 2004 in Colombo, Sri Lanka: Pakistan win by 59 runs
After 50 overs of play, Pakistan put up a score of 300 for 9, thanks to the efforts of Shoaib Malik who scored 143 from 127 deliveries. Irfan Pathan and Sachin Tendulkar claimed three wickets apiece; however the Indian batting line-up was restricted to just 241 for eight wickets.
Shoaib Malik. PHOTO: AFP2016 Asia Cup: Pakistan’s baptism of fire
6. June 26, 2008 in Karachi, Pakistan: India win by 6 wickets
Another brilliant knock from Shoaib Malik, who scored 125 from 119 deliveries, saw Pakistan reach the total of 299 for 50 overs in the end of the first innings. However an equally dazzling performance from Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina who scored 119 and 84 respectively, enabled India to reach the target in just 42.1 overs.
Virender Sehwag is congratulated by Suresh Raina. PHOTO: AFP7. July 2, 2008 in Karachi, Pakistan: Pakistan win by 8 wickets
Following the defeat in early stages of the tournament, Pakistan faced India again in the Super Four match with Indian side putting up a total of 308. However, Younus Khan and Misbahul Haq chased the target with ease, scoring 123 not out and 70 not out respectively.
Younus Khan. PHOTO: AFP8. July 19, 2010 in Dambulla, Sri Lanka: India win by 3 wickets
Pakistan posted 267 runs on the board for India to chase in the fourth match of the tournament, however the Indian side pulled off a win in a last-over finish, thanks to Harbhajan Singh who smashed a six on the second last ball of the innings to drive his side towards victory.
Harbhajan Singh vents emotion after the victory. PHOTO: AFPIndia favourites against Pakistan in Asia Cup, says Wasim
9. March 18, 2012 in Dhaka, Bangladesh: India win by 6 wickets
Centuries from Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed failed Pakistan to get victory in the fifth match of the tournament as Virat Kohli cruised his side towards victory in a 330-run chase. A knock of 183 from Kohli became the highlight of the match as Pakistani bowlers failed to guide Pakistan to the win.
Virat Kohli celebrates his third hundred in four ODIs. PHOTO: AFP10. March 2, 2014 in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Pakistan win by one wicket
Saving the best for last, Pakistan defeated India in a nail-biting finish which saw Shahid Afridi scoring 34 from just 18 deliveries to chase the target. The match went into the last over with Pakistan needing 10 runs for victory, when Afridi smashed back-to-back sixes to defeat arch rivals in a thrilling contest.
Shahid Afridi is joined by team-mates after winning the match. PHOTO: AFP
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