Team India’s supremacy over Pakistan in 50-over World Cup matches is impressive, with an 8-0 lead against their arch-rivals. In T20 World Cup encounters, India also holds a favourable score of 7-1. This achievement brings immense pride to passionate Indian fans while causing significant disappointment for equally fervent Pakistani supporters.
Currently, fans are gathering at stadiums in Pakistan and the UAE, as well as tuning into TV and digital platforms to watch the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, previously referred to as the Mini World Cup. However, let’s take a moment to reflect on the 1992 World Cup, where India’s winning streak against Pakistan began in the 50-over format.
Must win game for India at the SCG (March 4, 1992 D/N)
Following a narrow defeat to England in Perth by just 9 runs, and after sharing points with Sri Lanka in their second match, Team India faced a heartbreaking loss to Australia by 1 run in their third game of the 1992 World Cup. The team appeared dejected, and the atmosphere within the camp was quite sombre. Upon arriving in Sydney for their fourth match of the tournament against arch-rivals Pakistan, immense pressure loomed over both teams, as Pakistan had also experienced a challenging start to the tournament. Both teams were unable to bear the thought of losing this match, as a defeat would result in significant criticism for their lacklustre performances back home.
India decided to take first strike after winning the toss
Captain Azhar won the toss and chose to bat first on a cloudy afternoon at the SCG. Batting proved challenging against bowlers like Aaqib Javed and Wasim Akram. Aaqib, who bowled tightly throughout, caused another setback for Srikanth, who struggled for 39 balls before being dismissed in the 10th over with only 25 runs on the board. Things looked grim for India, but newcomer Ajay Jadeja, just 21 at the time, played steadily—if not aggressively—holding one end up while adding a crucial 61 runs for the second wicket alongside his captain. This partnership helped stabilize the innings and relieve some pressure.
Youthful exuberance and experience gave India a good total to defend
After Ajay Jadeja justified his selection as an opener in the playing XI with an impressive score of 46 in just his second match, and Azhar contributed a brisk innings of 32 off only 48 deliveries, India appeared poised to achieve a substantial total. However, Mushtaq Ahmed’s leg spin, reminiscent of Qadir, claimed three crucial wickets while conceding 59 runs. Mushtaq dismissed Azhar, young Vinod Kambli—who struggled before scoring 24—and bowled out Sanjay Manjrekar on his first ball, disrupting India’s batting order. With only 9 overs remaining in India’s innings, the young prodigy Sachin Tendulkar, a rising star, was at the crease alongside the seasoned Kapil Dev.
The stage was particularly set for Tendulkar, and he stepped up when his team needed him most. While Kapil took on the role of aggressor, the young man played a stabilizing anchor throughout the innings. Together, they formed a crucial partnership of 60 runs before Kapil was dismissed for 35 off 26 balls, contributing a cameo that energized the innings. His six off Mushtaq Ahmed over extra covers stood out as one of the tournament’s finest shots. Tendulkar delivered a determined performance with an unbeaten score of 54 off 62 balls, helping India post a respectable total of 217/6. As time passed beyond six o’clock, India did not complete their 50th over and thus turned the match into a 49-over game.
Terrible start by Pakistan
Both Kapil and Prabhakar, who were exceptional swing bowling experts, took full advantage of the conditions by each claiming a wicket, providing India with a strong start in defending their total and dealing a blow to Pakistan’s run chase. Inzamam Haq and Zahid Fazal struggled to cope with the swing and seam of the Indian bowlers. The Indian captain positioned most of his fielders within the ring to maintain pressure on both Aamer Sohail and Javed Miandad. Although they formed an 88-run partnership, they remained restricted throughout their innings, as evidenced by Pakistan’s inability to score four runs per over during that time.
Confrontation between Kiran More and Javed Miandad formed the highlight
Sachin was bowling a precise line to both Miandad and Sohail, consistently beating them as they attempted shots on both the leg and off sides. Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More, who was somewhat talkative, often dislodged the bails after collecting the balls and occasionally appealed loudly, which annoyed Javed. Being a witty person, he once imitated More’s appealing style by jumping during an over break, prompting the umpires to step in and have a conversation with the Indian captain to diffuse the situation. That image has since then stuck on the fans’ memories.
Sachin, the man with a golden arm triggered the Pakistan collapse
Tendulkar, a keen student of the game who always enjoyed bowling both medium pace and spin, provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Aamer Sohail, who was caught low at mid-wicket by Srikkanth. Prabhakar then took the significant wicket of Salim Malik with an in swinger. Ninety runs were required from the last 15 overs, with Javed Miandad and Imran Khan—the only players to have participated in all five World Cups up to that point—at the crease. However, a misunderstanding led to Imran being run out, followed shortly after by Miandad’s reverse sweep against left-arm spinner Raju. Miandad was bowled out by Javagal Srinath for 40 runs off 110 deliveries, which nearly determined the match’s outcome since Akram had already been stumped.
India finally secured a victory in their fourth attempt at the tournament, triumphing over Pakistan by 43 runs in their first World Cup clash. Pakistan was bowled out for 173 during the final over of their run chase. The match captivated spectators at the SCG, with an estimated 250 million viewers tuning in on TV across India and Pakistan.
