In the hierarchy of cricketing rivalries, India vs Pakistan sits atop. It isn’t merely bat and ball; it’s personal pride, historical significance, and years of bragging rights. They’ve met over 200 times, but you’d be shocked to learn they’ve only clashed in tournament finals five times over 40 years. Each time, yielding moments are still debated, memed, and revealed into the present day. Join us as we travel down the memory lane of these finals and explore the moments that solidified the foundation of this exciting rivalry.
The First Punch: Melbourne 1985
In 1985, just two years later, India was winning again (in the Benson & Hedges final at Melbourne, defeating Pakistan). Pakistan only scored 176, with Kapil Dev and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan taking three wickets apiece. Kris Srikkanth blazed to 67, and Ravi Shastri, an unbeaten 63, won by 8 wickets.
This wasn’t just another victory—it was a statement. India had gone from underdogs to undisputed kings of ODI cricket, and Pakistan was left licking its wounds. But as history tells us, they wouldn’t stay down for long.
The Last-Ball Heartbreak: Sharjah 1986
If Melbourne was a dream for Indian fans, Sharjah, the very next year, was a nightmare. India seemed to be cruising, thanks to Sunil Gavaskar’s 92 and Dilip Vengsarkar’s 50, before Wasim Akram’s fiery spell dragged them back to 245. Still, that looked defensible. Then came Javed Miandad. He batted with ice in his veins, manipulating the strike, running hard in the desert heat, and keeping Pakistan alive.
And then—that moment. Last ball. Pakistan needed four runs. Chetan Sharma, desperate for a yorker, bowled a low full toss. Miandad swung. Six. Game over. Cue wild celebrations on one side, and a scar that haunted Indian fans for years. That one shot didn’t just win a trophy—it gave Pakistan a psychological edge that carried into the 1990s.
The Power Shift: Johannesburg 2007
Fast forward two decades, and a new format was about to explode. India and Pakistan in the first-ever T20 World Cup final at the Wanderers—it doesn’t get bigger. Gautam Gambhir was India’s rock with a gritty 75, and a baby-faced Rohit Sharma chipped in with a late cameo. But 157 felt just about par.
Then came the Pakistan run-chase. Imran Nazir went for it, but was run out thanks to a laser throw from Robin Uthappa. Misbah-ul-Haq was brilliant and brought the game to the final over. 13 needed off 6, MS Dhoni handed the ball to Joginder Sharma – Joginder. A wide, a six, all the nerves. And then Misbah tried the scoop shot that he will regret. Sreesanth caught it, and India won by 5 runs, and a cricket revolution was born.
The Ultimate Redemption: Champions Trophy 2017
By 2017, India was the favorite in almost every encounter, especially against Pakistan. But on June 18, Pakistan flipped the script. Fakhar Zaman, riding his luck after a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball, smashed 114, while Mohammad Amir produced one of the most lethal opening spells you’ll ever see. Rohit gone for zero, Kohli dismissed for five—it was like a bad dream for Indian fans.
Hardik Pandya batted beautifully and scored 76 runs, yet India fell way short, losing by an enormous 180 runs (the biggest pure loss in ICC final history). This was a dream comeback for a team that scraped into this tournament. It should also serve as a cautionary tale to all of India when it comes to this rivalry, that nothing is a guarantee – ever!
FAQs
- How many times have India and Pakistan met in tournament finals with five or more teams?
They have faced each other five times in such finals over the last 40 years.
- Who was the hero for India in the 1985 Benson & Hedges final?
Kris Srikkanth scored 67 and Ravi Shastri made 63 to seal the win.
- Which iconic moment defined the 1986 Sharjah final?
Javed Miandad’s last-ball six off Chetan Sharma became a defining memory.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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