10 Lesser known facts about India v Pakistan rivalry

India and Pakistan have been rivals in almost everything since the partition in 1947. The India v Pakistan fixture in cricket is always the most viewed. Though there have been roadblocks in working out a bilateral series; of late, the cricket pitch has served as a more effective battleground for the two sides. The rivalries have been moved to the cauldron of the cricket pitch. The bragging rights and morale of both sides is always on the line. That said, here are 10 lesser-known facts about the India v Pakistan rivalry.

1. The Quetta ice-breaker:

The Ayub National Stadium, Quetta hosted the first ODI between India and Pakistan on the 1st of October 1978. In another first, the match was only 40 overs a side. The Indians won by 4 runs following the heroics of Mohinder Amarnath. The latter scored 51 and picked up 2 wickets in a match-winning performance. This laid the foundation for an ODI rivalry that has continued for almost half a century now.

2. Let the records show:

Numerous records have been made in the ODIs that have been played between India and Pakistan.

• Saeed Anwar has scored the highest individual score against India with 194 at Chepauk, Chennai.
• Of the 6 T20Is played, India has won 5.
• Virat Kohli (150) has scored the most runs between the two sides in T20Is.
• Pakistan has won 39 of the 70 ODIs played at neutral venues. 24 of those matches have come at Sharjah, a popular cricket venue for both the sides.
• The highest partnership in ODIs within the rivalry is held by Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Sidhu. They stitched an opening partnership of 231 runs.
• Aaqib Javed boasts of the best bowling figures with 7/37 in India v Pakistan ODIs.

3. Inzy’s piece of willow:

India and Pakistan met in Canada in 1997 to commemorate 50 years of independence. They played five matches at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling club. Apart from the Indians winning quite comfortably by 8 wickets, Inzamam-ul-Haq’s infamous ‘Bat Behavior’ stole the limelight. After being dismissed by Venkatesh Prasad, Inzamam appeared to have hit a spectator with his bat on the way to the dressing room. The spectator, who was later identified as an Indian supporter had allegedly called him a ‘potato’. This has gone down as one of the most disgusting moments in cricket history.

4. Sachin Tendulkar -From Pakistan with love:

It is no secret that Sachin Tendulkar’s performance went a notch up when he faced Pakistan. Tendulkar played against them on 69 different occasions, a country mile ahead of the next person on the list. In 66 innings batted between 1989 and 2012, Tendulkar has amassed 2474 runs. Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq is in second place with 2403 runs in 64 innings.

5. Pitch invasion:

In 1991, in perhaps one of the most bizarre incidents in cricket to this day occurred in Mumbai. In a bid to prevent the commencement of the match, the Marathi nationalist Indian political party Shiv Sena dug up the Wankhede wicket. This incident saw the Pakistan tour eventually getting cancelled. A statement released by the Shiv Sena stated that they would prevent cricket in Mumbai until the Kashmir conflict was resolved.

6. The Pervez Musharraf factor:

Former Pakistan premier Pervez Musharraf made a trip to India to watch the match between India and Pakistan in 2005. Although many felt that Musharraf made the trip south in a bid to resolve the Kashmir conflict, he reiterated that his visit was purely to enjoy the cricket. This sort of activity later came to be known as ‘Cricket Diplomacy’.

7. Impact of the 2011 World Cup semi-final:

It has been reported from various sources that the 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan at Mohali eased the tensions between the two countries. The tensions between the two nations had risen manifold following the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. However, it seemed as though all was forgiven when Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister of India invited Pakistani premier Yousuf Raza Gilani. The latter acquiesced to Manmohan’s invite and joined him at Mohali.

8. The Pakistani hunting grounds in India:

India has never beaten Pakistan in the Eden Gardens and the MA Chidambaram Stadium in ODIs. Pakistan won four matches at the Eden Gardens and two matches at Chepauk.

9. Sourav Ganguly and the off cutters:

On the 18^th of September 1997, Sourav Ganguly made history against Pakistan at Toronto. Despite not making much of an impact with the bat, Ganguly bowled marvelous off-cutters that successfully foxed the Pakistani batsmen. In 10 overs, Ganguly ended up with figures of 5/16 as India won the match by 38 runs. These figures remain to be the best by an Indian bowler against Pakistan in an ODI till date.

10. 1999 World Cup predicament:

India faced Pakistan in the 4^th Super Sixes match at the 1999 World Cup. They played in front of a sellout crowd at Old Trafford Manchester. Apart from the India win, the ongoing Kargil War created a serious diplomatic problem. However, this failed to come in the way of the cricket as it once again proved that sport brings people together.