In videos: Fantastic five, India’s perfect record against Pakistan at the World Cup

If there’s one thing Team India never gets wrong at the World Cup, it is beating their arch-rivals Pakistan. We take a look back at those five wins, which to some of us, brought more joy than lifting the trophy itself.

1. 1992

This one is more famous for the infamous Miandad imitation of Kiran More than the actual proceedings of the match. The Azhar-led Indian side batted first at the SCG and struggled against a fiery pace attack led by Wasim Akram and Imran Khan. But thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s gritty 54, they reached a respectable 216. Pakistan lost two early wickets in their response, but Aamer Sohail and Javed Miandad put up a strong partnership, which was broken by guess who—Sachin Tendulkar, who turned the game back in India’s favour.

Miandad may have entertained the crowd with his antics, but More and India still had the last laugh as the Men in Blue defeated Pakistan by 43 runs.

2. 1996

In the crucial quarter-final encounter of 1996 in Bangalore, Azhar once again chose to bat first and the Indian openers didn’t let him down. Sidhu and Sachin put up 90 for the 1st wicket, and the former went on to make 93. Ajay Jadeja’s late burst of 45 off 25 balls helped India to a formidable 287. Pakistan’s response was strong as well, with Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar putting on 84 for the opening wicket. Even when Anwar departed on 48, Sohail stood strong at the crease and completed a brisk half-century. And then came the game’s turning point, and one of the most controversial, yet iconic World Cup moments.

With Pakistan cruising at 109 for 1 in the 15th over, Sohail smashed Venkatesh Prasad through covers and then taunted him by pointing his bat towards the direction of the boundary line, basically telling Prasad, ‘That’s where your balls belong, mate.’ The next ball, a fabulous Prasad Yorker destroyed his off-stump. Now that’s what I call digging your own grave!

Not surprisingly, India went on to win the game by 39 runs.

3. 1999

The Super Six encounter at Old Trafford was slightly less eventful compared to the other meetings of the two rivals. Pakistan would have hoped to have been third time lucky. Well, they weren’t. Azhar won the toss, decided to bat and India put on 227, thanks to half-centuries from Dravid and the captain himself. Venkatesh Prasad was the hero with the ball once again, as his 5-27 helped India bowl out the opposition on just 180.

4. 2003

With one of the strongest pace attacks of the tournament at their disposal (Akram, Waqar and Akhtar) Pakistan must have thought they would finally break their WC jinx against India at Centurion. They did get a positive sign early on, as Waqar Younis won the toss and decided to bat. A fabulous Saeed Anwar ton helped them post 273 in 50 overs. However, one 5 ft 5 in man stood in their way. Sachin Tendulkar was at his godly best, smashing the fastest and the fiercest bowlers in the world all around the SuperSport Park. It was the kind of day when even the most ardent Pakistani fan would have stood up and said, ‘Take a bow, Little Master.’ Needless to say, Sachin’s blistering 98 set up a crushing 6 wicket victory for India in the end.

The highlight of the match? Well, it has got to be this uppercut to show Akhtar who’s in charge!

5. 2011

The Indian fans at home couldn’t have wished for a better semi-final than this in the 2011 World Cup. The two teams met at Mohali, seeking a place in the final. Once again, it was the Little Master who stole the show. Tendulkar’s breath-taking 85 helped the home team post a solid 260. Pakistan’s response was in keeping with their history against the arch-rivals in the World Cup. Following a decent start and some solid resistance by Hafeez and Misbah in the middle-order, it all came crumbling down and the visitors were all out for 231.