Indian and Pakistani fans display a message of peace and love during a one-day match in Lahore in 2004 (AFP file)
Dubai - From Chennai to Lahore, let's relive those moments
By KT Sport
Published: Mon 14 Aug 2017, 3:04 PM
Last updated: Tue 15 Aug 2017, 1:37 PM
As Pakistan is celebrating its 70th Independence Day today, India is gearing up to celebrate their own 70th Independence Day tomorrow.
These two countries have never learned to become friendly neighbours. In fact, their bitter rivalry has even hit the headlines in newspapers across the world on so many occasions.
But cricket - a game followed by the masses with incredible passion on the both sides of the border - has brought these two not-so-friendly neighbours closer over the years.
Yes, we have seen many tense duels between the two giants in the cricket world, but we have also seen moments that won our hearts. Who can ever forget Chennai and Lahore?
Today, we bring you five memorable India-Pakistan cricket encounters to celebrate these two country's 70th birthdays.
WHEN CHENNAI CROWD GAVE PAKISTAN A STANDING OVATION IN 1999
Chasing 271 for victory on a turning track in Chennai, India were in all sorts of trouble until Sachin Tendulkar (136) found a partner in Nayan Mongia (52). The two staged a brilliant fightback against a terrific Pakistani bowling attack to put India on the brink of victory. But Tendulkar fell when India needed just 17 runs to win. Pakistan took the next three wickets for just four runs to win the thriller by 12 runs. At the end of it all, the Chennai crowd gave Pakistan a standing ovation, inspiring the Wasim Akram-led team to take a victory lap. "That match was probably the best experience for me on an overseas tour both as a player and as a captain. The Chennai crowd was amazing that day," Wasim Akram told Khaleej Times in an interview in 2015.
WHEN PAKISTAN CELEBRATED INDIA'S WIN IN LAHORE IN 2004
It was called the friendship series after India went to Pakistan for a full series for the first time since 1989. When they last played in Pakistan in 1989, a 16-year-old boy made his India debut who went on to become one of the greatest players ever. Sachin Tendulkar was still there when India played their next series in 2004, 15 years after his debut in Pakistan. India lost the third match of the five-game ODI series in Rawalpindi despite a magnificent Tendulkar hundred. But they won the next two matches in Lahore to win their first ever ODI series in Pakistan. But the sweetest moment came when the Pakistan Cricket Board celebrated India's victory with a magnificent display of fireworks at the Gaddafi Stadium.
SOURAV GANGULY WON PAKISTANI HEARTS IN 2004 RAWALPINDI TEST
Inspired by a monumental 270 by Rahul Dravid, India beat Pakistan by an innings and 131 runs in the last match of the three-Test series in Rawalpindi to register their first ever Test series victory on Pakistan soil. Unlike the ODI series, none of the three Test matches drew big crowds. Pakistan were completely outplayed once they were dismissed for 224 runs in the first innings. India made 600, thanks to Dravid's highest score in Test cricket and then Anil Kumble's four wickets gave Sourav Ganguly's team an unforgettable win. But it was Ganguly's comments in the post-match press conference that won the Pakistani media's heart. Ganguly thanked the people of Pakistan for looking after them so well during that series, had words of encouragement for the youngsters in the Pakistani team and revealed how he fell in love with the city of Lahore.
WHEN PAKISTANI FANS MINGLED WITH INDIAN FANS IN MOHALI IN 2005
This Test will forever be remembered for an epic 184-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal (109 off 154 balls) and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq (71 off 260 balls). Pakistan were trailing by four runs on the fifth day with four wickets in hand, but Akmal and Razzaq defied the Indian bowlers in their contrasting styles to earn a memorable draw. This match will also remain special because five thousand Pakistani fans were given visas by the Indian government to watch the Test match in Mohali. The Punjab government even thew a big party for the fans of both countries one day before the Test. This was a unique moment as the Pakistani fans mingled freely with the Indian fans and folk artists from both sides of Punjab also performed.
MIANDAD'S LAST-BALL SIX IN 1986 SHARJAH FINAL CHANGED THE RIVALRY
This will remain the most iconic moment in the history of India-Pakistan cricket battles. Unlike the occasions mentioned above, this match-winning last-ball six by Javed Miandad off Chetan Sharma in Sharjah didn't bring Indians and Pakistanis closer. But it helped the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry attain a mythical status. India-Pakistan cricket games were never the same again after that Austral-Asia Cup final on April 18 at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium in 1986. Indian fans all over the world were crestfallen after that shot over the mid-wicket boundary by Miandad against Sharma, but they have now begun to enjoy the beauty of that moment. This was one-day cricket at its magical best. And the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry will always be defined by that one shot against all odds by Miandad.
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