Long before the Cricket lovers from both countries became used to seeing the arch-rivals go head-on in every ICC tournament; couple of years before the epic battle of Proteas and Aussies set unprecedented standards for the battings sides and trivialized the team totals of 300 forever; there was a time when Indo-Pak Cricket clashes were no less than festivals, when 270 plus scores were considered huge and batsmen having a strike rate of 90 were considered explosive.
320 plus scores were not in fashion back then, let alone chasing down a 350.
The first ODI of Samsung Cup 2004, was special in more than one ways: India was touring Pakistan after 7 long years and it was a cornerstone in the attempts of reinstating the socio-political relations of two countries. India was yet to win ODI/test series on Pakistani soil and hopes were high under the charismatic leadership of Saurav Ganguly.
As the most awaited series got kick-started on March 13, 2004, the spectators were in for a show. Not only, the total number of runs scored in the match was close to a whopping 700, but also match saw a number of sea-sawing moments full of drama, tension, and heartbreaks.
Allow me to take you through the highlights of this classic encounter. If you’ve watched this match live, 15 years ago, then let it be a reminiscent for you; and if not, then sit back and partake the exciting battle.
Pakistan won the toss on the batting paradise, and surprisingly put India into batting.
Team India was off to a flying start, thanks to the carnage led by Sachin-Sehwag duo.
The directionless and wayward Pakistani bowling was being punished severely.
Look at the score and the whopping projection rates:
Mind you, 400 was an imaginary score back then.
Sehwag was out for 79 (57), but Ganguly continued the blitzkrieg and Dravid played the role of a sheet anchor, as India raced past 200, well within 25 overs.
However, the scoring rate dipped once the skipper was out. Kaif and Dravid consolidated the innings in their own style. India could manage only 70-75 runs between 25th to 40th over.
As expected, both players upped the ante during the last 10 overs, and India was 324-4 in 45th over.
Dravid looked all set for a historical century, but then came the most heartbreaking moment.
A slow yorker from Akhtar denied Dravid a well deserved 100.
Nevertheless, Dravid’s gutsy knock powered India to a humungous 349-7. To win, Pakistan needed a world-record chase (as per that time.)
In reply, Pakistan lost both openers within first 8 overs, to good opening spells by Zak and Balaji and was looking distraught at 40-2 after 10 overs.
But then came one of the gutsiest innings building and chasing effort ever in the history of ODI cricket.
Mohd Yousuf (then, Yosuf Yohana) and skipper Inzamam ul Haq bailed the home team out from a spot of bother, adding valuable 134 runs for the 3rd wicket. Sehwag broke the dangerous partnership.
But Inzy kept going…
recking havoc on all Indian bowlers…
Inzy and Younis Khan kept their cool and every run they scored, brought Pakistan closer to successfully accomplishing the highest successful chase in ODI (till that time).
Murali Karthik then took perhaps the two of the most important wickets of his career. Dismissing both Inzy and Younis, he brought some reprieve to Team India.
Despite being ardent Indian fan, I believe this was one of the best knocks I have ever seen someone play during a chase, considering the enormity of the task in hand, and pressure of playing as a captain against arch rivals in front of a cricket crazy home crowd.
But was this going to be enough…?
By today’s standards, yes. But those days 45 off 32 balls, was an equation much more inclined towards defending side.
However, the run-ball equation kept narrowing down.
35 required off 25.
Razzaq looked determined to see his team through.
Zak brought India back into the game, knocking off the bails of a dangerous looking Abdul Razzaq with a cameo of 27 (16).
With 10 required off 8 balls, Zaheer dismissed Shoib Malik courtesy a sensational catch by Mohd. Kaif. Avoiding a fatal collision with Hemang Badani, Kaif redefined the word focus with a brilliant catch.
The match was down to the wire. 9 required off last over.
Naved Rana and Moin Khan in the middle. Nehra Ji with the ball in his hand.
From there it all came down to who would hold the nerves better.
Then Pakistani coach Javed Miandad, kept gesturing animatedly to his team, conjuring up the frightening Indian memories of his last ball six in Sharjah, but it was of no avail.
Match came down to 6 required off last ball, and India finally held upon the hard-fought win.
India had the last laugh, but it was indeed a special game not only in the history of two rivals but also in that of entire ODI cricket.
Inzamam was awarded Man of the match for his valiant knock.
As an interesting fact, the next match went almost the other way round, with India up to the daunting task of chasing 330 and falling short of just 13 runs despite Sachin’s heroic innings of 141.
