The cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan transcends just the playing field and finds a sentimental place in the hearts of the lovers of the game in both countries.
Excitement, anticipation and anxiety are building up ahead of the India vs Pakistan match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 14 October.
Cricket fans not only from these two countries but all over the world are eagerly awaiting the moment when the much-touted archrivals take each other on.
SBS Gujarati has compiled some memorable moments from previous World Cup matches played between these teams over the years.
Sydney, 1992
It was the first time India and Pakistan met in a World Cup match on March 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India defeated Pakistan by 43 runs. The match is not only remembered for India’s win but also for Pakistan’s star batsman Javed Miandad’s mocking of Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More.
That moment became an iconic image of the cricketing rivalry between the two countries as can be seen in this video:
Bangalore, 1996
The second World Cup encounter between India and Pakistan took place in this quarter-final match on March 9 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. India won by 39 runs. There were a few controversial moments during this match as well but the one that stands out was between Pakistani opening batter Aamir Sohail and Indian fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad.
Chasing India’s 288-run target, Pakistan had a good start and quickly put 100 on the board. While successfully attacking Venkatesh’s loose deliveries, Sohail sent one to the boundary, pointed towards it with his bat and gestured to Venkatesh while saying, “go, take the ball”.
Venkatesh came up with a unique delivery in the very next ball and bowled Sohail out. This video captures that moment:
Manchester, 1999
This was the third World Cup clash between India and Pakistan. India continued their winning streak against Pakistan in the World Cup as their strong bowling helped them win the low-scoring match by 47 runs at Old Trafford.
Centurion Park (South Africa), 2003
In the fourth World Cup clash between the two countries, batting first, Pakistan scored 273 but a match-winning knock from India’s Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar 98 (75) helped them win by six wickets.
Cricket fans across the globe remember this historic run chase with Sachin’s iconic six to Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar over backward point.
Indian cricket team players celebrate after beating Pakistan during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final match. (Getty)
Mohali, 2011
It was March 30 when the neighbours met for their fifth World Cup game. The semi-final was watched by many celebrities including the then prime ministers of both countries, Dr Manmohan Singh and Yousaf Raza Gilani. Their presence was intended as a peace-making gesture between India and Pakistan.
India easily won the high-voltage game by 29 runs and progressed to the final of the World Cup which they eventually lifted in Mumbai.
Pakistan's Younis Khan, left, walks back as Indian players celebrate his dismissal during the World Cup in Australia, February 2015. (AP Photo/James Elsby) Source: AP
Adelaide, 2015
In this match played on 15 February 2015 at the Adelaide Oval, Indian star batter Virat Kohli’s splendid century helped them beat Pakistan by 76 runs. This was India’s sixth consecutive victory against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Manchester, 2019
In the last World Cup clash so far between both countries, Indian opener Rohit Sharma scored a century (140 off 113 ) and helped his team put a mammoth 336 runs on the board.
Chasing the target in a rain-hit match, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and only managed to score 212 with a loss of six wickets in 40 overs.
The Duckworth-Lewis method had to be applied and India won comprehensively by 89 runs.
Indian cricket player Rohit Sharma bats during the third one-day international cricket match between India and Australia in Indore, India, Sunday. Source: AAP, AP / AAP Image/AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade
Pakistan leads overall record
India has never lost to Pakistan in a World Cup game.
But the Men in Green have the upper hand against India when it comes to head-to-head statistics in One Day International (ODI) games.
Both countries have faced each other 134 times in ODI cricket, out of which India has won 56 matches while Pakistan has tasted success in 73. Five matches ended without a result.
Pakistan’s last ODI win at Ahmedabad
Even though Pakistan has never won a World Cup match against India, they will enter the field at Ahmedabad keeping their overall ODI record in mind.
The last time they played each other in an ODI match at the same venue was on 12 April 2005 when Pakistan registered its victory in a nail-biting game.
Australian fans all excited
Fans of both sides in Australia are super excited for the much-awaited clash in this mega cricket event.
Sydney-based entrepreneur Jay Narang told SBS Gujarati that he has planned to enjoy the match in the backyard of his house where a big screen has been set up. He has invited more than 50 friends and relatives to enjoy the game together.
He hopes India will keep its winning streak on and take the tally to 8-0 from 7-0.
On the other hand, Zeeshan Iqbal, a Pakistan cricket fan, is anticipating that his favourite team will break the trend.
India-Pakistan World Cup records
· Highest runs: Sachin Tendulkar (India) 2526 runs in 69 matches
· Highest score: Saeed Anwar (Pakistan) 194 runs
· Most hundreds: Salman Butt (Pakistan) five, Sachin Tendulkar (India) five
· Highest wickets: Wasim Akram (Pakistan) 60 wickets in 48 matches
· Best bowling: Aaqib Javed (Pakistan) seven wickets for 37 runs
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