The 9-0 streak: A Summary of India’s World Cup victories over Pakistan

As India beat Pakistan for the 9^th consecutive time continuing the streak which had started long back in 1991-92 when the arch rivals faced off in ICC event for the first time. Let’s take a look at all the matches in world cup and world T20 history and find out about the Glorious victories India have had over Pakistan.

India may lose to Pakistan in any other game even a day before and look a side which doesn’t match their opponent’s class. But, on the decisive day the team has always re-united and has had the better of their opponents every time.

1. ICC Benson & Hedges World Cup 1991-92 – 16th match

It was the first time that India was playing their neighbors in a world cup match, in Sydney on March 4 1992 a Round robin stage match. India having won the toss chose to bat first. Sachin Tendulkar played beautifully to stay unbeaten at 54 by the end of 49 over’s. The game was reduced to a 49 over’s per side after slow over rate from Pakistan. India scored 216 runs at the loss of 7 wickets.

Pakistan in response lost two early wickets though Aamer Sohail scored 62 runs as opener but was off very little use as no other batsmen actually supported him. They lost wickets at regular intervals and were all out for a 173 in 48.1 over’s. All Indian bowlers took wickets and maintained good economy’s to help them defend 216 with success.

Though loosing the match to India Pakistan went on to win their first ever World Cup under Imran Khan.

Player of the match SR Tendulkar (India)

For an unbeaten half-century and a wicket.

2. ICC Wills World Cup – Second Quarter final

India and pak were face to face once again in the following world cup in the quarter finals where a loss meant exit from the tournament.

India won the toss and chose to bat first, Navjot Singh Siddhu opening the batting played extremely well and scored 93 runs with valuable contribution from all other batsmen India had 287-8 on the board after 49 over’s.

Pakistan too had a good start at losing the first wicket on 84, but soon after they kept loosing wickets every other over and lost the grip over the match. A Kumble and V Prasad took three wickets to rattle the Pakistan batting and they were 39 runs short of the target at the end of their innings.

Player of the match NS Sidhu (India)

For his splendid effort with the bat.

3. ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 – 34th match, Super Sixes

India won the toss chose to bat first and was the first world cup where Sachin was given the openers job who did it well scoring 45 runs, Rahul Dravid top scored with 61 and Mohammad Azharuddin made 59 to take India to 227-6 in 50 over’s.

Pakistan had a bad start losing Afridi their opener at 19, all other batsmen tried but got out after getting starts. No batsman crossed the 50 run mark and Pakistan was never in the chase. Eventually losing the game by 47 runs getting all out for 180 in45.3 over’s. V Prasad took a fifer and returned with figures of 9.3-27-5 and played a vital role in his team’s victory.

Player of the match BKV Prasad (India)

Prasad was picked as the player of the match for his extraordinary bowling effort.

4. ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 – Pool game at Centurion

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, winning the toss first time in four world cup face offs where they had already lost the game on all previous occasions.

Saeed Anwar batted extremely well and made a well deserved century, making 101 off a 174 balls. With some contribution from other batsmen Pakistan had put up 273-7 at the end of 50 over’s.

In response India too had a decent start with a 50 run opening stand between Sachin and Sehwag. Sachin went on to make 98 and got out once again in the nervous 90’s. Middle order showed solidity as Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh stayed unbeaten at 44 and 50 respectively to take India home with 4.2 over’s to spare.

Player of the match SR Tendulkar (India)

Sachin was once again the player of the match for his 98 runs.

5. ICC World Twenty20 2007 – 10th match, Group D

In the inaugural World T-20 India and Pakistan were up against each other in the battle of 20 over’s. It was MS Dhoni’s first match as India’s captain.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first inviting India to bat. India had a bad start losing both their openers inside 3 over’s. Wickets kept falling and Robin Uthappa was the lone fighter scoring a half-ton. In the end India only had a 141 runs for 9 wickets in 20 over’s.

The Pakistan innings panned out in similar terms and kept on gaining and losing the momentum. As in T20 cricket the game can change in an over. At one point looked out of the match but 50 from Misbah-ul-haq got them back into the game but, S Sreesanth bowled a good last over to tie the match.

In a situation of a tie bowl out was played as tie breaker. In the bowl out India were spot on hitting target on all 3 on 5 occasions while Pakistan missed them all. India won the match by virtues of a bowl out.

Player of the match Mohammad Asif (Pakistan)

Asif was the player of the match as he took 4 wickets for just 18 runs in his 4 over’s.

 6. ICC World T20 2007 – Final

The final of the first world T20 could not have been better a India v/s Pakistan final is what fans and cricket lover’s dream of MS Dhoni won the toss this time and chose to bat first. Gautam Gambhir was clinical at the played a gem of an innings under pressure, scored 75 runs. Rohit Sharma made quick 30 at the later part of the innings to take India to 157 a score of some respect.

The batsmen had done their job and it was now up to the bowlers to bowl well and restrict Pakistan below 157 and get India to the trophy. Pakistan were rocked early in their innings with two quick wickets, Misbah-ul-haq the Pakistan skipper again took it on himself and steadied the chase and got them into a position where they could win the match and the World cup in a blow. MS Dhoni gambled with Joginder Sharma for the final over and when 6 runs were required of 4 balls Misbah hit a scoop which landed directly into the hands of S Sreesanth waiting at short fine leg.

Yes India not only won the match but was the World TT champions. A young team with a new skipper surpassed all challenges and difficulties to become champions.

Player of the match IK Pathan (India)

Irfan was the player of the match for taking 3 wickets and had figures of 4-16-3 in his spell.

7. ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – 2nd semi final

In their 5^th world cup encounter India played Pakistan at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali.

India won the toss and chose to bat first. A good solid start for India followed by a few wickets and quite some missed chances of Sachin Tendulkar not one or two but he got five lives in the match and went on to make 85 runs to finally get out. Only starts for other batsmen and no other big score resulted in India having a mediocre 260-9 at the end of their innings. Wahab Riaz was fascinating with the ball and captured 5 Indian wickets.

Pakistan too had a descent start and all the batsmen started off well making 20’s and 30’s but no one batted through. Making it a trend now it was once again the skipper Misbah-ul-haq who took on the chase. But was fighting a lost battle the match was already out of reach for Pakistan. Eventually got all out for 231 and getting knocked out of the tournament.

India entered the finals with this win and beat Sri Lanka in the finals to become the limited over’s World Champion after 28 years. After Kapil Dev’s 1983 win MS Dhoni brough home second World cup under his captaincy after the T20 World cup in 2007.

8. ICC World T20 – 20th match, Group 2

In the super 8’s battle Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. It was shaky batting by Pakistan and not quite justifying their decision of giving their opponents the job of bowling at them. Not a single batsman could even score fifty runs. All Pakistan could manage was 128 runs before getting all out. L Balaji making a comeback bowled an impressive sell to return with 3.4-22.3.

India had a bad start losing Gambhir after only a run was scored. Virendar Sehwag and Virat Kohli stabilized the chase and made sure India neither lost any wicket nor the momentum in the match. Kohli played an unbeaten knock of 78 to take India home comfortably in the end with 3 full over’s to spare.

Player of the match V Kohli (India)

Kohli was the player of the match for his match winning knock.

9. ICC World T20 – 13th match, Group 2

India and Pakistan play each other for 9^th time in world cup games continuing the rivalry further.

India won the toss and chose to bowl first in a game where due was expected to play a part in the later half. It was advantage India right at the start, a Friday game conventionally won by Pakistan on all previous occasions. Was the jinx for India to break and loosing every world cup tie to India the challenge in front of Pakistan to look at.

Pakistan had a bad start as Kamran Akmal got run out when they only had 9 runs scored. The middle order tried to stabilize the innings and score runs at the same time. Indian spinners on a surface that gripped and spun gave away nothing maintained it tight and Pakistan batsmen had to take risk to score runs. Doing which they started losing wickets.  Amit Mishra was the stand out performer with the ball picked up two wickets for 22 runs in his 4 over’s.

Chasing 130 India got off to a good start first wicket fell only after there were already 50 runs under their name. Though lost three quick wickets but there was no panic and the chase was molded patiently and with expertise by Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina India’s T20 specialist. There was no stopping the two with no pressure of the required rate the duo batted freely and took India home with 7 wickets and 9 balls to spare.

Player of the match A Mishra (India)

Amit Mishra was declared the player of the match the spin web that he spun around Pakistan batsmen.

This is India’s journey throughout WC’s against Pakistan where they have had the upper hand on all 9 occasions. India v/s Pakistan is always a big game and their WC game is always looked too by followers. India have on all occasions played better like a team and is the reason for years have stayed unbeaten by their neighboring opponent in ICC events.

The 10^th encounter is just around the corner with the two teams scheduled to play each other on the 15^th of February 2015 in their group match at Adelaide. More action, rivalry to watch out for with love for the opponent and the game.