New Delhi:
Cricket fans all around the world are in for a mouthwatering game of cricket when arch rivals India and Pakistan lock horns in the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy at Oval on Sunday. The title clash onSunday will be the fourth time the old foes will clash in the knock-out stages of an ICC mega tournament. India has an unassailable 3-0 lead in the previous encounters between the two powerhouses of the subcontinent. The 'Men in Blue' have always come on top of their neighbours when it comes to pressure games at ICC events.
India made it to their fourth Champions Trophy final after handing Bangladesh a crushing 9 wickets defeat in the semis played at Birmingham on Thursday. Meanwhile, Pakistan made it to their maiden title clash after upsetting hosts England in the first semifinals played at Cardiff on Wednesday.
So let us go down into history and relive some of the high-voltage encounters between India and Pakistan in knockout stages of ICC events
1996 WORLD CUP QUARTER FINAL:
India beat Pakistan by 39 runs in the second quarter-final of the World Cup at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
India posted an imposing 287/8 from their 50 overs at a placid Bangalore track courtesy Navjot Singh Sidhu's 115-ball 93 and a whirlwind cameo 45 off 25 balls from Ajay Jadeja. Pakistan were initially provided with the opening salvo by their potent opening duo of Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail and looked in a commanding position to chase down the target. However, a lapse of concentration by Sohail helped Venkatesh Prasad scalp the lefthander's wicket and trigger an unforgettable collapse for Pakistan.The Pakis kept on losing wickets and could never stage a comeback into the game. India's spin wizard Anil Kumble then cast a web around the Pakistan middle order and help seal a memorable victory at home
2007 WORLD T20 FINAL:
The T20 final between India and Pakistan will go down as one of the all-time classics. India emerged as the first ever World T20 champion edging past Pakistan by five runs in a nerve-racking encounter at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Batting first, India posted 157 from their 20 overs courtesy opener Gautam Gambhir's power packed 76 run knock. Chasing a competitive target, Pakistan faltered right through their innings due to lack of partnerships. However, Misbah-ul-Haq emerged as their lone warrior and kept their hopes alive before playing a careless shot with six runs to win in the last over to hand India the victory and the cup. MS Dhoni's gamble of giving the last over to a relatively unknown and inexperienced Joginder Sharma worked wonders and paid huge dividends.
2011 WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL:
India beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the semi-finals at Mohali to knock them out of the tournament.
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's scintillating 85-run knock propelled India's score 260/9 from their 50 overs. Wahab Riaz was the standout bowler for Pakistan as he took 5/46 from his 10 overs. Pakistan were off to a solid start but crumbled under pressure in the middle overs to lose the momentum and eventually end up on the losing side despite a valiant knock of 76 by Misbah Ul Haq.
So taking a look into the record books, India would look to maintain its stranglehold over Pakistan in ICC knockout games and aim to clinch the title for a record third time.
