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Although India and Pakistan do not play in bilateral series anymore due to political tensions, they share a great cricketing rivalry. There have been many nail-biting finishes between the two nations on the cricket field. 

There have been few clashes between players from both sides as well. And those clashes have definitely added more drama to the contest.  Be it Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, India and Pakistan matches have always been memorable.

Here’s a list of cricket matches between India and Pakistan that have provided great cricketainment

2007 World T20 final

Picture credits: Republic World

It was the inaugural World T20. And there could have no better final than a clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.  The Men In Green were staring at defeat. But Misbah-ul-Haq fought hard with the help of tailenders. With 13 needed for win in the final over, he slammed the second legitimate ball from Joginder Sharma for a six. 

Now, Pakistan looked favourites for the win, with an inexperienced Indian bowler bowling the final few deliveries. But Misbah then created hara-kiri and tried to loft the ball over the fine leg, but he scooped it to S Sreesanth to fine leg, and India posted a memorable 5-run win, and a historic triumph.

1999 Chennai Test

Picture credits: The Cricket Times

India were playing Pakistan at home, and were under pressure to win the match. India were set a target of 271. Sachin Tendulkar walked out to bat at 6/2 to face a quality bowling attack comprising Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq. He battled them all on the last day’s pitch and a sore back to score a ton (136), but fell just before the finish line. Pakistan bowlers then completed the formality to win by 12 runs. Sachin was allegedly so disheartened that he didn’t even come to collect his man of the match trophy.

1998 Independence Cup

Picture credits: OutlookIndia

It was the best of three finals between India and Pakistan. India had won 1 and lost 1 ahead of the third final. Pakistan set a then record target of 315 in 48 overs in the third final. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly got off to a flying start, putting 71 runs in 8.2 overs before Sachin was dismissed for 26-ball 41. 

Ganguly (124) and Robin Singh (81) then put up 179-run stand for the second wicket to put India in driver’s seat. But a few quick wickets saw India staring defeat as light started fading. A young player in Hrishikesh Kanitkar then struck a four on the second-last ball to seal India the title.

Austral-Asia Cup at Sharjah in 1986

Picture credits: COC

It was a tense final between the arch-rivals. But there was just one man standing between India and victory –Javed Miandad. He fought a lone battle with a ton as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. It all boiled down to 4 runs off the last ball with one wicket left. Chetan Sharma bowled a low full toss and Miandad obliged hitting a six to seal the victory.

Asia Cup 2010

Picture credits: ESPNcricinfo

It was a league match, but a thrilling one as it was packed with action, drama, fight, celebration and passion. India were chasing a stiff target of 268, and had lost their top-order when Harbhajan came out to bat. India needed 49 runs from 29 balls. 

The Indian first smacked Shoaib Akhat for a six in the 47th over to turn up the heat. But when Suresh Raina fell in the 49th over, it looked doubtful for India.  Bhajji smashed the second-last ball from Mohammad Amir in the final over for a six to seal the win, and sparked wild celebration in Indian camp. The former Indian spinner took off the helmet and roared, and kept looking at Akhtar in the deep. Akhtar singalled Bhajji to walk off, but Harbhajan kept roaring before he was hugged by his teammates.

Cover Picture: DNA India